xB manual trans replacement

[Vincent Brick]

My buddy killed the manual trans in his '05 xB (very high miles) and I am now intending to swap in a low-mileage unit for him since I've done this kind of thing before a couple times on different vehicles. I have a Toyota service manual for an '04 xB, but I have a few questions hopefully someone here can answer. I've worked on these before but I don't have the vehicle in front of me right now to look at, just pics and illustrations.

Do I really have to drop the entire front K-member to get the tranny out? If so, is there a way I can avoid removing the steering rack or anything else?

Is there a way to support the engine sufficiently for this swap using a jack instead of an engine hoist?

Any significant differences between '04 and '05 xB manual transmission to where this '04 service manual will be wrong when working on an '05? I figure its doubtful but worth asking.

Anything else I should know going into this? Anything not in the service manual that will make my life easier?

Thanks a bunch!

[HATEnFATE]

I've never done it but the FSM for an 04 should fully apply to the 05.

[arabianobsession]

It is actually easier to drop the K-member....if you try doing it without dropping it, it's a major pain in the ass and you'll wish you dropped the K member.

[Vincent Brick]

What about supporting the engine? Will I have to go ahead and track down a hoist? I can probably borrow one and have it delivered for a few bucks, but I don't have a truck so trying to avoid it. Wait, my garage has some heavy-duty horizontal beams, ratchet straps? Does the xB engine have an aluminum block? haha

This all isn't going down until the owner of the xB sells his EF hatch so I have some time to prepare. He also has a third vehicle so if it takes me a week or two to pull off it won't be an issue.

Thanks!

[arabianobsession]

If you've got some comparable stuff, like heavy duty beams, then go ahead and use 'em, lol