SYE install: Remove transfer case or not?

[ballpark]

I would consider a ratcheting wrench to be a mandatory tool if you decide to remove the case.

This! Made it so much better. I love ratcheting wrenches!!!

 

[freedom_in_4low]

Borrow or buy a pair of drive-on ramps, pull the back tires up on them, go to town with the t-case still in place. Far easier than chasing it around on the bench to get some of the snap and lock rings off, plus the trans acts like another set of hands to hold stuff in place for you. Super easy to do if you can sit up under the rig. I've done them both ways, much prefer under the rig.

Exactly what I did (until the aforementioned incident with the case half bolt).

Torquing the yoke nuts just wasn't possible for me with the case out of the Jeep. I assembled it all first and then torqued them after putting it back on the transmission.

The ONLY benefit I can come up with to removing the case is that it gave me an opportunity to replace the transmission output seal which has been a small leak since I bought it 3 years ago.

 

[Ol Blue]

Thank you gentlemen. I shall procede with the TC installed and the back on ramps.

Double check that you have the spring and magnet back in place before buttoning the two halves back up.... Spring got me the first time. Also Rtv the half your not removing. Newb problems

 

[DuncLJ]

UPDATE....I installed the SYE with the TC still installed and the Jeep on ramps. I had no problems whatsoever and had plenty of room to do everything. Just waiting on my Tom Woods driveshaft that is arriving later today.
Thanks for all of your recommendations.