RAV says nothing about removing the transmission output shaft itself.

I thought that transmission output shaft was fixed and that the transfer case slid off of it with the assistance of the guide studs.

 

you do not have to remove transmission output shaft to change out the T case...
you should replace all the seals while you have easy access....

 

I didn’t say you have to.

youll see

 

For the O2 sensor connectors, I don’t know if you can get away with this on the D2, but I recently needed to remove the Y-pipe on my wife’s Mustang. The forward connectors were very difficult to access so I just removed the sensors from the pipe instead, with the wiring still connected.

 

I've done that before -- remove the O2 sensor at the pipe and leave it connected to the harness --- when I've had to do a pressure test (checking to see if the cat converter was clogged -- turned out my relocated coil packs were the issue) in the bunge itself. Only challenge is when putting them back in, you have to "pre-twist" them.

I have to click the CPS connector back into its mount so looks like I'll be fiddling up along the firewall anyway.

 

I counted the turns out an then pre twisted the harness the same amount on install.

 

Thanks. One of those little attentions to detail. Sometimes the obvious isn't.

My little addition to this is to put a mark on the O2 sensor to get the count right.

I use nail polish to mark things: more durable marking than a paint pen, buy it for a buck (now $1.25) at DollarTree.