Offroad-Express

My Trans has metal in the pan so decided to replace it with a good used.
Expected to get at the torque converter to flywheel bolts through the starter aperture but no.
Looks like the access is behind sponge rubber dust protection fitting? At back of sump.
Do you have to drop the steering assembly to do this? Looks like a right PITA.
Appreciate any tips.

Yep. Destroyed the sponge getting it out.
Wow, four 17mm bolts holding a light gauge inspection plate on. Weird.
That only leave four holding the bell housing on.
Looks like a job requiring a little anesthetic removing/refitting the TC to flexiplate bolts.

have you got a variable height transmission support stool thingy? Those trans are heavy. The bare A340 trans (in road cars at least)is 40kg, but by the time you add many litres of fluid, and the torque convertor (14kg!) and the transfer case, it all adds up to being way too heavy not to have some form of support. For example, the mistral/terrano auto and transfer case is 148kg including convertor oil etc.

Thanks. I couldn't hire one so made my own diy hoist inside the cab.
Had to remove the sway bar, loosen the steering rack & move forward to get at the TC bolts.
Then move back to drop the bell housing- kinda like threading a needle, but not too bad.
Done & dusted save hooking up a few things. A good feeling cos is such a reliable workhorse.
Good to have a mates second pair of hands/eyes for manoeuvring.

Spendy if you send it in.

Next, give the replacement trans a flush and fit an oil cooler separate from the radiator.
Any tips on the size/brand?

The biggest you can fit. Not tube type. Use bar and plate type. BNT stock the good brand ones can't rember the brand though.

Like this? BNT didn't have in stock.

So, these are the type not to install? Rather, this type?

Correct. The bottom one (plate and fin) you posted is the more efficient type.

BNT didnt offer to order one in? Google Davies Craig trans cooler or Hayden trans cooler and get the largest you can fit in the space you have

Installed The transmission with my old transfer case- All went fairly smoothly.
Installed a new radiator & trans cooler (Davies Craig)
Vehicle is on stands with wheels off the ground. I filled pan to max, then started her up and selected
neutral to start pump, and proceeded to pump a liter of fluid out at a time . The plan was to refill with a liter &
continue until fluid all appeared new at cooler hose. (Detached and into bucket.)

When I went to drive the old fluid out with new, after driving through approx 1 liter I put it into Park
With the motor still running and it went click click click click like it was skipping
the park slot. Immediately I put it in neutral , shut her down & checked whether
the shifter arm was properly in "park" position. Affirmative on that.
Now when I rotate the main shaft with lever fully back it will not lock in park?
Anyone been here? Anything to do with solenoids on shift lever, or is it all mechanical on KZN185?
Fingers crossed I don't have to pull it.

been awhile since i was under my (former) 185 series, but am familiar with the A340s. There is the gear lever, then a rod to the short selector arm that is attached to the trans. One of the bolt up pivot joints has a short slot in it, to allow adjustment. Try adjusting it.( you need to be under the truck, beside the trans)

Cheers Blake, duly noted for future as I have a spare motor & trans now and intend to get another 185.

I continued the flush avoiding park.
Then, on reflection, I realised the hand brake was on so couldnt figure how it was spinning the output shaft to make
the rattle of the pawl skipping the gears. Then found I had knocked the TC into H4 so must have been spinning the front shaft
hence the noise. Not quite sure if that makes sense?
Anyhow re-assembled the whole shebang and low & behold the pawl is working again. Some kind of safety thing?
Brilliant- am a happy chappy.