Guys - I have an '85 XLT 4X4 with a 300 six and NP435. Love my truck!
The other day I suddenly lost first and third gears, in a trouser-chili moment in traffic.

Notice the synchro and just above it, the spring looks like it's sprung. The synchro wiggles easily and that doesn't feel right.

I pulled the top cover and shortly noticed a spring that seems to have popped out of a synchro and the synchro itself is very wiggly.
The shift yokes are fine and even the plastic inserts are still there.
Ugh! I'm going to have to drop the transfer case and tranny for the fix. Mine would be a 4X4. Any suggestions on the best way to get them out? Both look heavy as the dickens.
Thanks Guys!

 

They make transmission jacks for this, and also transmission adapters for floor jacks (if you already have one). I've dropped & installed a few NP435s by hand - it was mildly painful, but I'm a decade or so older now...

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The t-case is relatively light, and MUCH easier to handle. Just beware that the back of the trans is open, so when you break the t-case away, gear oil will dump from the split.

 

Thank you, Steve! I've drained the tranny. :-) I do have a tranny jack, but I'm doing this under the truck that's not on a lift, so I'll probably use my floor jack with a tranny adapter. Nice to know the transfer case is not a ton!

 

I assumed you didn't have a lift. I meant a dedicated floor trans jack: