2001 V6. Does the exhaust (y- pipe) "have" to be removed to get the tranny out? Like most, it a rust case and I know every bolt is going to break off........

 

I am not sure on the v6 but I know on my 4.6 I didn't have to pull it off. I did mine on the ground. Just pulled crossmemeber, t-case, drive shafts, and then the tranny. Not too difficult to do. Just time consuming if your doing it your first time.

 

Yes, the exhaust has to come down and after you pull the tranny back you have to rotate it 90 degrees to get it out. Make sure you drain the tranny fluid first.

If you are going to go to all that trouble, make sure you replace everything - disk, pressure plate, throwout bearing/slave cylinder, pilot bearing, and rear main seal. Get the flywheel bench ground or replace it too. Check the master cylinder for leaks too.