Help removing manual tranny in 97 s-10

I am in the process of removing my tranny in my 97 GMC Sonoma/S-10 2.2L 2 wheel drive. I have the shifter upper assy off. Do I need to take the lower shift lever housing assy off too? The All Data manual says to, but can't you lower it with it on? I figured why take it off and let sand/dirt into the tranny? Also, anyone know how to get the hydraulic clutch line off without the special j36221 removal tool? Or where to get a tool? I know auto Zone loans tools, but searching their site it did not come up. Any ideas? Anybody?

Not sure on your 97 but the whole slave cylinder usually comes out of the bell housing with out taking the hydraulic hose off. You have to pull the tranny back out of the clutch and pilot bushing before you can drop it so normally you have to remove the shifter body from the tranny.

he has probably got the same clutch system i do where the slave cylinder is mounted on the input shaft housing of the tranny. you can use 2 screwdrivers to remove the line, but run risk of messing up retainers. would be better off buying tool. might have to get it from a tool truck, ask a mechanic friend if possible, or order it from one of the tool manufacturers websites.