shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Just got my new beater/family hauler crew cab yesterday and it runs great but I have alot of little fixes to do one thing that bugs me is the shifter. I can't feel it click into gear and the gear indicator is so off I'm in low for drive and in between gears for reverse. Anyone know how to fix this? All gears work great btw just hard to find them

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Check the frame-mounted pivot. There are little nylon bushings there that commonly go bad and cause sloppy shift linkage. For the indicator, it sounds like it just needs adjusted on the column itself. With the truck off, put it in Low (1) and adjust the shift indicator to it. It should be a little steel line with a clip on the end that attaches to the column. Pull it off the column, tug on the line until the needle points at (1), and clip it back on the part of the column that rotates. It's a pretty easy fix.

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Thanks. I guess I have to take the cluster apart or the column to get to the indicator line

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

You should be able to access it simply by removing the gauge bezel. It's wide open and exposed on the bottom of the cluster.

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Ok thanks for the info I appreciate it. I'll give it a try later tonight

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

look here,some have a biteing clip or loosen small a screw,move to ajust in N

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

The indicator itself doesn't affect the "feel" of the trans going in to gear.

You may need to adjust the relationship between the column shifter and the trans itself. This is done by adjusting the "barrel" on the column shift rod.

Loosen the bolt on the barrel. Place the trans in neutral manually from underneath (there is a rooster comb inside the trans that defines the detent between gears). Place the column shifter in "N" and tighten the barrel back up.

Once that's done you can adjust the indicator as described above.

K

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Any pics of this barrel? I'm kind of lost on what that is I'm going to try this tomorrow night hopefully if I get the time. I went to a truck show today then put a new master cylinder and all new rear lines on my truck so I didn't have the time to do it today.

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

I don't have any pics, but the "barrel" is on the shift linkage next to the transmission. There is a small bolt in the side of it that acts to lock it onto the rod coming down from the column. Once you see it, kinda becomes self explanatory. It's where the shift rod connects to the horizontal rod from the frame to the side of the transmission.

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

Ok going to give it a try today thanks

Re: shift linkage problem on a 1980 c20 th400
 

No pics from me. Mine's a manual trans...

;)

K