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-   -   Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=766508)

fred_e81 06-28-2018 06:59 PM

Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Good afternoon,
So today I installed the missing kickdown switch on my 81 Sierra. I bought the switch and wiring from a junkyard for $6. Damn it woke my truck up lol. Anyways, I noticed that the pedal from the donor truck didn't reach the switch at all and the same goes for my pedal. I rigged it up to make it work by adding spacers (looks horrible but works). Question is, is there a specific year pedal bracket that is bent more to help actuate the switch? Or, should I just bend my pedal. If so, any tips on how to bend. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

RedBed 06-28-2018 09:59 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Pics maybe? The geometry of the bracket vs the carb are very important.

fred_e81 06-30-2018 10:34 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
1 Attachment(s)
So here is what I did. I added plastic tubing to the pedal and more tubing on the Kickdown switch to close the gap. Looks horrible I know. Please post suggestions to clean this up. It works though..lol.

70GMCer 07-01-2018 07:39 AM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
2 Attachment(s)
Here's mine....hope it helps

andyh1956 07-01-2018 01:23 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
I gotta 86 truck cab up the barn that had a T400 in it. Let me see if it has what you need. And My 1008 & 1009 may have it also so I can compare.

fred_e81 07-01-2018 02:48 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 70GMCer (Post 8292065)
Here's mine....hope it helps

So is that with your pedal down to the floor? I noticed it doesn't engage the switch. My pedal doesn't get anywhere near the switch with the pedal fully pressed down to the floor. Is there a specific year of pedal that would engage the switch? My truck is an 81. So I'm not sure if that year had the switch on the pedal or by the carb.

Thanks for the pics and help fellas. Keep it coming!

fred_e81 07-01-2018 02:49 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Thanks Andy. Any and all help appreciated

andyh1956 07-02-2018 12:19 AM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
I'll look for you in the morning when I go to work. When I had time this afternoon it was pouring down rain...:waah:

70GMCer 07-02-2018 07:00 AM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by fred_e81 (Post 8292276)
So is that with your pedal down to the floor? I noticed it doesn't engage the switch. My pedal doesn't get anywhere near the switch with the pedal fully pressed down to the floor. Is there a specific year of pedal that would engage the switch? My truck is an 81. So I'm not sure if that year had the switch on the pedal or by the carb.

Thanks for the pics and help fellas. Keep it coming!

The pedal it NOT depressed in the picture.

There is supposed to be that gap between the pedal & switch as shown.

v30crewcab 07-02-2018 07:09 AM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
its only supposed to click the switch at full throttle.

andyh1956 07-02-2018 12:19 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Ok I looked at the 1009 & it is just like the photo that 70GMCer posted.
Your pedal arm SEEMS to be at an odd angle from his ours also. When the pedal is at rest / idle position there is about 1" of space between the arm & switch plunger on mine. I can tell you if there was a floor mat or a big layer of carpet in there the pedal would never make it to the plunger.
I think also the switch MAY be adjustable on it's bracket, maybe not.
Have someone depress the pedal while you go look at the carb & confirm you are getting WOT & the cable is not short traveling.
You may have something bent or the wrong pedal.
If it comes down that you have the wrong combo of parts I will look in the wrecked cab & see if that stuff is still there & send it to you.

fred_e81 07-02-2018 01:03 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by andyh1956 (Post 8292861)
Ok I looked at the 1009 & it is just like the photo that 70GMCer posted.
Your pedal arm SEEMS to be at an odd angle from his ours also. When the pedal is at rest / idle position there is about 1" of space between the arm & switch plunger on mine. I can tell you if there was a floor mat or a big layer of carpet in there the pedal would never make it to the plunger.
I think also the switch MAY be adjustable on it's bracket, maybe not.
Have someone depress the pedal while you go look at the carb & confirm you are getting WOT & the cable is not short traveling.
You may have something bent or the wrong pedal.
If it comes down that you have the wrong combo of parts I will look in the wrecked cab & see if that stuff is still there & send it to you.

You guys rock! I think I found my issue. I took the throttle cable off and checked if it enages the switch when fully depressed and guess what it does. I installed a new universal throttle cable and I think I made it too short. I thought the pedal was suppose to beat it's highhest point, guess not. And the carpet has about a half inch of padding in that area. I'll lengthen the cable and remove some padding. I'll report back when I get back from summer vacation. How far back from the fire wall should the top of the pedal be when not pressed down (idle)? You guys are a wealth of knowledge!

andyh1956 07-02-2018 09:33 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
I think you're gonna have to get a helper to hold the pedal down against the switch while you hold the carb throttle open & then set your cable there. The pedal height at rest should be a factor of these two adjustments

fred_e81 07-02-2018 09:40 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Andy,

I like the way you think. Takes the guessing and going back and forth out of the equation. That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks a bunch! This forum rocks!:metal:

fred_e81 07-08-2018 10:16 PM

Re: Th400 Kickdown pedal bracket
 
Results,

I followed Andy's instructions and it works perfect. Got rid of that horrible mess I made and now when I get on it, it drops a gear and goes! Can't say it enough, this forums kicks @$$$!


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