I'm still not convinced that we want to use the AX transmission. There are a lot of negative reviews regarding this transmission. What other options are available to bolt to our 3.4l? Probably looking at older s10 chevy mayb?

 

Have transmission out. Anyone notice the bolt hole mid top that is open??? Why? what was there?

 

That would be why you don't have 5th/reverse. If you start around 6:40 on the tear down video below, you can see that bolts hold the shifter mechanism for the 5th/reverse gear shift forks. Apparently yours didn't require lots of heat and a tamper resistance torx to remove. :{.

 

Another case of being unlucky to be lucky. Get it, case ... ahh so ... need to open transmission? Or maybe just reinsert missing bolt??

 

Mayb that top cover just pops off eh?

 

Watch the video. Gotta take the tail cone off first, then the cover comes off. Doesn't look to hard. Hopefully nothing is torn up or broken internally.

 

Hope is a good thing, thx

 

Anyone know where I might find this bolt after market?

 

Funny thing is when I googled, I found a bunch of people who mistakenly removed that bolt thinking it was the fill plug and caused the same problem.

I found the part number for the "pivot pin" is 1352-183-002. Hopefully, the other pieces like the c-clip are still inside.
https://www.transmissionpartsdistrib...-1352-183-002/

 

Found one! So happy, I kept it in my hand everywhere I went yesterday, driving, store, with wife, everywhere!

 

The top cover is not coming off as easy as the video, it seems to want to move the bottom left shaft when pulled up indicating that something is connecting this assembly. Anyone have an idea?

 

Maybe stick a screwdriver in the end of the shift rod and rotate/slide like you're shifting and see if whatever's hanging it up moves.

 

I wiggled the top with a friend watching and it instantly came off!

 

I notice this lever is detached, I'll watch the video and see if they say where it goes.

 

Can't quite tell the state of the synchros from the pictures, but one of the shift pads looks worn. Since you have it on the bench and opened up, you might consider continuing onward and replacing the synchros. Since the synchros are brass, I'd suggest the same advice as the AX-5/15 and using a gear oil without sulfurs (ie not generic GL-3/4/5 oil).