About a month ago the transmission locked up on me for no real reason. I had it towed to my local transmission shop and they can't figure out what happened to it so I had it towed over to my parents and that is where it still sits a month later. They said the only way to find the problem was to rebuild the transmission which would be 1,500 out of my pocket. I said no to that idea. So I started to go threw my options of either junking it or going to my local salvage yard to get a transmission for it. But the only problem I have on replacing it is a lack of a shop with a lift so I could drop the frame so I could pull the transmission out of the bottom. So I am wanting to know what yall think I should due in this matter. It has only 153,870 miles on it and about five months ago I replace a few sensors and redid the gaskets in the upper end of the motor. Those sensors were the Crank, Cam ans IAC (Idle Air Control). So is it time to throw in the towel and get rid of it or should I try to replace the transmission. So any and all advice will be helpful. Thanks.

Pulling the trans is a bit of a pain, but not impossible. I jack the car up as high as I can, then use some 2x4 and jackstands to hold up the car. Then you can support the engine with a 4x4 and chain from the top and drop the sub frame. Then lower the trans out. I can have the trans on the floor next to the car in about 2.5 hours.

so you think I should get it running then instead of getting rid of it then. Am I understanding it that way right.

fixing it or getting rid of it is up to you. i do know though you can save some money on a rebuilt trans if you remove it and put it in and that the shops have significantly different prices on the same work. so call around ask how much just for the rebuild, maybe you can get it for less than 700

I replaced one a while back, $500 from a salvage yard. It'* the labor in and out that will kill you price wise. You need to look at the value of the car. Is it worth the money and time to do it, or get $250 a ton scrapping it out.

Well the car has low mileage for its age and I really need a car that can move under its own power. Also since I have never done anything like this how hard would it be for me and a friend to due this kinda job. If I did decide to fix it what would be some good ways to tell if a used transmission from my salvage yard is any good.

A good salvage yard should give a warranty, but you can check by turning the input shaft, it will feel tight but turn smooth.

No special tools are needed. The only PITA areas are the bracket that holds the diff cover to the engine, once that'* off, there is a backwards bolt holding the trans to the engine. You can reach that with a 18mm socket and a bunch of extensions and go in threw the right wheel well.

You need to disconnect from the trans, the speed sensor on diff cover, 2 plugs on top near the back, shifter linkage, and plug on top. Then 2 cooling lines under, and the 3 bolts holding the torque converter to the flex plate. And of course, both axles, and the bolts holding trans to block. Then wiggle left and finally down.

What do you mean by "locked up"??

If you can't push the car, the parking rod may have broken away. It was a fairly common problem, but you would need to drop the sub frame and remove the side cover to change the rod.