transmission swap (need expert advice)

[badassbasi]

I'm currently the owner of a 1971 GMC 1500 truck. I previously had a TH 350 transmission with a 3-speed tilt steering column. I just installed a 700R4 transmission with a high stall converter. They also changed the fly wheel and the drive shaft. Here's my problem. My transmission specialist says that there is no way that I can install another column shifter to make my 700R4 transmission work due to the linkage/bracket problem that come with a 3-speed column shifter. I would prefer not to install an after market floor shifter because I would to use the space for a 3rd passenger. Could you make any suggestions on how I may resolve this problem or direct me to any websites/companies that may be of assistance. Thank you for any help that you may be able to provide.

[cooters]

as far as i know you can use the factory column but you may not have a manual 1st gear, which shouldnt really matter anyway.

[badassbasi]

that's what i thought? when i put the vehicle in D(2) it shift no problem accelerating. but if you punch it it gets stuck in 1st and won change unless i put in park and start the process all over again. If i try to put the vehicle in OD, it doesn't work at all and sits like a dead duck. Just purchased this beauty a few months ago and this is the first upgrade that I'm doing... i should of done my homework before i spent this money... oh well.. live and learn...

[kwmech]

What you describe sounds like a trans problem not a steering column problem. As stated before, all that will happen is that you will not be able to hold the trans in first gear manually

[RACINJASON22]

I agree with kwmech. Sounds like a tranny problem. Was the valve body changed in the tranny? Example- performance full manual shift valve body or anything. Making it nessecery to shift tranny through all gears.

[cameeks]

I also recommend this

http://tciauto.com/WhatsNew/Files/TC...eValveBody.pdf

I'm going to be getting one soon for my truck. No need to worry about getting the T.V. cable right.

[Truck Hippy]

Several years ago I put a 700 in a 70' swb that I had. The original column and shifter worked fine.

[3/4tonterror]

i did a 700 in a 71 and the facyory column worked fine too.

[RACINJASON22]

I agree with these guys as it should work fine just not have all four gears on the selector.
cameeks that is a good piece idea to have one of those installed but not what I was talking about. I was refering to a manual shift valve body making it nessecery to shift tranny through all gears.
If one were installed then you would have to make precation to be able to manually shift transmission into all gears. as the tranny will no longer shift automaticly.which sounds like may be happening. let us know. RJ22

[cooters]

any chance the tranny fluid is low? 700s are pretty sensitive to low oil. Otherwise it sounds like a stuck valve in the valvebody or the tv cable is not set up. Where in canada do you live?

[Sonny]

It sounds like either a tranny problem or he didn't correctly rig the linkage.

[badassbasi]

The transmission shop that i had it installed let me know that the linkage is wrong. i just had this tranny completely rebuilt, had springs, servos and a b&m shift kit that allows you to select gears manually as well as auto. thanks for all the replies..trust me it is helping..I'll post some pictures of the truck.. if it is a linkage problem, where can i get some proper one's?

[badassbasi]

thanks for the replies truck hippy & 3/4tonterror... that takes a load off my mind that the column shift will work for this set up... must be a linkage issue.. i even talked to 2 other tranny shops about this problem and they said that i would PROBABLY have to change my column... they also told me to check the web and someone out there had have to tried this setup... thanks again for all your help.

[RACINJASON22]

To me it still seems odd. If there is a shift kit installed that will allow tranny to shift on its own you should be able to place shifter in drive on colume which inturn would be OD on your tranny and pull out letting the tranny automaticly shift on it's own. You stated (dead duck) if I'm missing something let me know I could be off base but I don't think so. It does not sound right to me. RJ22

[Orange]

Just for the record, I put a 700R4 in my 1971 GMC 1500 about a month ago, and I changed nothing with the linkage. I did already have the Lokar linkage kit on it, but it is nothing much different than the factory setup. I just put it on to take out any slop in the factory linkage. That was on there BEFORE the 700R4 swap - which was a TH350. So no linkage change from my 3-speed to 4-speed.

Mine shifts perfectly with the stock (non-tilt) "3-speed" column. The column is now a 4-speed column since I changed the gear indicator. Honestly - the linkage and column has nothing to do with your shifting that I know of. Just getting it into the right gear to begin with. If the TV cable isn't setup right, then you are going to have issues. www.tvmadeez.com is the best place to check out that stuff.

I installed mine myself, and I haven't had any problems (knock on wood). Like I said, same truck, factory column, and factory "style" linkage.
This is my exact linkage kit - http://lokar.com/interior_pages/prod...lshiftlink.jpg

[cameeks]

Mine is a 69 and I'm using my column shift. It was originally for a Power Glide but I got one for a TH350 off of a 80's model truck to get the linkage to even hook up. I get all of the gears but I have to count detents to get the right gear. I hear that they sell a replacment indicator plate that puts the right gear numbers in the right place. But I'm still looking for it.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by cameeks

Mine is a 69 and I'm using my column shift. It was originally for a Power Glide but I got one for a TH350 off of a 80's model truck to get the linkage to even hook up. I get all of the gears but I have to count detents to get the right gear. I hear that they sell a replacment indicator plate that puts the right gear numbers in the right place. But I'm still looking for it.

This is what I bought.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Polis...spagenameZWD1V
Used my factory indicator with that part.
Works like a charm.

DLB

[OldCreek]

I agree. It sounds like the problem is in the tranny....maybe with linkage. The column doesn't have the 'detents' built into it... the tranny does. I don't know this first hand but have been doing searches on this site regarding this transplant.

Put it this way.... If others have done it why cant you!!

[jimfulco]

Might be able to adapt one of these.

http://shiftworks.com/lens.htm

[dan42]

This thread is almost turning into a FAQ truck tech thread - I'm bookmarking it for future reference - thanks guys -