I' m going to change the transmission on my buddies 84 300TD, some have said that you have to pull the engine/trans together is that true? I'd really dont want to pull engine unless it's absolutely nessesary, thanks Mike

It can be done with the engine in the car, but it adds complexity/difficulty. When I replaced mine I pulled the motor and did it as a unit. Makes the trans to engine/from engine process a lot easier to do it out of the car.

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I have done it both ways and I think there are pros and cons for each way. It depends on what you have at your disposal in terms of equipment, work area, etc. That said, I don't think I would pull the engine just to swap a tranny, though it is true that it's easier to detach and reattach tranny and engine when they're out of the car altogether. But it's really not so bad. I was pleasantly surprised after reading all the warnings.

Just make sure your torque converter is seated on the tranny oil pump when you re-install or there can be trouble.

Good luck,
Ken