4L80E - column shift

[SchreinerM]

5.3L with a 4L80E. I'd like to keep the column shift to keep the interior of the cab looking stock. Are you guys using the Lokar set-up?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...1804/overview/

[Rich84]

Stock linkage works fine..

[izzy_Britton]

depends upon the application. 4l80e in WHAT? stock linkage works fine unless your trans is out of something odd like an isuzu step van...

[SchreinerM]

Stock linkage would make my day. Happen to have any pictures? My truck didn't have an engine or tranny when I bought it.

Izzy, it's '68 C10. The engine and trans are both out of Silverados.

[dayj1]

Originally Posted by SchreinerM

5.3L with a 4L80E. I'd like to keep the column shift to keep the interior of the cab looking stock. Are you guys using the Lokar set-up?

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...1804/overview/

I've used the Lokar cable linkage in the past, but I didn't like it as well as the rod style linkage. The rod is cheaper than the cable style anyway:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-aca-1800

[Ghost's68]

I’m interested to see pics as well. I have a 4l80E I’ll be dropping into my 68 soon.

[Heavymetl]

4L80E here, just using the Lokar rod. Piece of cake.

[thehata1]

Subscribing for pictures and feedback on stock linkage to 4L80e

[Larry S]

Originally Posted by Heavymetl

4L80E here, just using the Lokar rod. Piece of cake.

I see this is an old post. If you are still out there, were you able to get the truck in 1st gear?
Posted via Mobile Device

[ls1nova71]

If you use a shift linkage that is adjustable, in leverage ratio, not just the regular adjustment that they all have, then yes, you can get all 4 drive gears. That said, the detents in the column won't line up right.

[Larry S]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

If you use a shift linkage that is adjustable, in leverage ratio, not just the regular adjustment that they all have, then yes, you can get all 4 drive gears. That said, the detents in the column won't line up right.

Im looking at this. Any thoughts?

Check out this page from Summit Racing https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-aca-1800
Posted via Mobile Device

[KeithT712]

Also subscribing, had been looking into the Lokar set up for my 90 suburban 4l80 swap, hadn't heard of other options

[pbr]

I used the Lockar rod style and it worked fine for me. I don't have the column for the 4spd auto so I can't get into 1st but it hasn't been a issue for me aside from having to run the trans down to 1st manually to fully fill the trans.

[Accelo]

I always used the stock linkage on trucks that do not have headers. A lot of reasons for this. One being the linkage is less likely to bind or shift, under throttle, if something happens to your engine mounts. All I had to do was move the frame pivot point to line up with the transmission selector. Typically I only move one leg and leave the other in the stock location. There has always been enough extra linkage rod left, to slide the clamp down on the stock rod, to get it to work. I installed a 4 speed shaft indicator on my last conversion. I wouldn't do it again. Just easier to line everything up so Park through 2nd line up. Then manual low is down-past any marks. it doesn't confuse any unfamiliar drivers. Works perfect. Even the new indicator (4speed) does have a bright light and shines up between the column and the holder for the indicator. I have inserted a business card there to keep from being blinded at night. Stock this is just another thing you don't have to consider. And it's a not cost option!
Cheers

[Richard]

Used the 4l80/60 Lokar rod kit on my 6L90. Picked kit with longest rod. Main difference between 6L80/90 kit and 4L80 kit is arm on transmission is offset for the 6L's. Think the 6L arm might have caused more work and it is not available with the longest rod. I heated and bent the rod a bit for extra clearance around header and transmission cooler lines. With arm on transmission at about 9:00-10:00 and pivot adjusted all the way at end of arm I hit all gears and they line up on column shift indicator. PRNDM. M lines up with the 2 after D. 1 lines up as well as the movement in transmission is there, just not used. There are some pics in post #257 of my build thread. None of the column, can add some if wanted. It is a factory tilt. The trick to getting indicator lining up is to put the arm in the position I indicated. Instructions say to position it much lower.

Kit I used https://www.summitracing.com/parts/LOK-ACA-1811

[Jason Banks]

I used the ACA-1800 from Lokar but wish I had the longer rod like the ACA-1811 like Richards used.

I had it perfectly adjusted and then the Trans had to come back out to get rebuilt again and the transmission shop couldn't get it lined back up well and I have yet to try.

Mine is 6.0 and 4L80 using the Holley LS mounts and trans crossmember.

[D-n-Tyke]

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

I used the ACA-1800 from Lokar but wish I had the longer rod like the ACA-1811 like Richards used.

I had it perfectly adjusted and then the Trans had to come back out to get rebuilt again and the transmission shop couldn't get it lined back up well and I have yet to try.

Mine is 6.0 and 4L80 using the Holley LS mounts and trans crossmember.

Is that really the only diffrrence between the ACA-1811 and ACA-1800, the length of the rod. I am installing the same set up, 6.0/4L80E and want to get the right one the first rime.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by D-n-Tyke

Is that really the only diffrrence between the ACA-1811 and ACA-1800, the length of the rod. I am installing the same set up, 6.0/4L80E and want to get the right one the first rime.

Yes, only difference. I wanted the longest rod available because I knew that I would be putting bends in it, the 6L90 is longer and my engine is in a different position than stock. Was unsure if shifter point was further back. Ended up cutting off about 2" of rod when I was all done. I had to clock the shifter arm much higher than stated in the instructions to keep alignment correct on my factory tilt column. There is another thread that was recently revived about this.

[Jason Banks]

ACA-1800 works. I think if I had had a longer rod that I could cut to length. I could have clocked the part at the column or trans a little different and it would have been easier.

[Jason Banks]

You know what would have been really easy, some adjustment like the 3OTT shift rods have.

[Jason Banks]

I went looking at the pictures LS1Nova71 posed and thought, that's not how these columns work, Then I came back and saw it was for a Tilt column.

Anyway, with the adjustability of the Lokar linkage, you can get really close, like P, N, D are really close for everyday use.

You can adjust the length of the rod, which I used the whole thing uncut on the ACA-1800.

The other adjustment is where the bottom end of the rod is positioned on the lever coming off the transmission. If you put it further out on the lever it increases the amount of travel the column needs to move to his all the positions(on the trans). If you move the connection point in toward the pivot point, you need less travel from the column to hit all the positions(on the trans).

[Factory Guy]

A great video how to use your current shift linkage "stuff", can be seen here:

https://youtu.be/jh7UkYNqVqk

I plan to do this to mine when I get to the 4L80e transmission.

[Accelo]

I am doing a little guessing here as I haven't measured the indicators myself.
I believe the indicators with the extra gear are embossed into the same space as the three speed automatics. If you just relocated the stock linkage, to fit the 4 speed, it will be off. If you use aftermarket linkage the ratio is adjustable at the transmission shift station lever.
This makes the alignment possible but slightly more difficult shifting as the spacing is so close and the shift effort is slightly higher.
My preference is the stock indicator (1-3). With 1st gear, of the 1-4, off to the right far enough it is barely or not a all visible. If you have the electronic overdirves it really makes little difference as the full throttle shifting rpm is programmable and no reason to shift it yourself.

Others not familiar with the truck's shifting have no issues getting it in gear. Even if the pick first and get second it's not a safety issue. It come down to "Oh you have an overdirve" when they spot the indicator on the column.
Cheers

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Accelo

I am doing a little guessing here as I haven't measured the indicators myself.
I believe the indicators with the extra gear are embossed into the same space as the three speed automatics. If you just relocated the stock linkage, to fit the 4 speed, it will be off. If you use aftermarket linkage the ratio is adjustable at the transmission shift station lever.
This makes the alignment possible but slightly more difficult shifting as the spacing is so close and the shift effort is slightly higher.
My preference is the stock indicator (1-3). With 1st gear, of the 1-4, off to the right far enough it is barely or not a all visible. If you have the electronic overdirves it really makes little difference as the full throttle shifting rpm is programmable and no reason to shift it yourself.

Others not familiar with the truck's shifting have no issues getting it in gear. Even if the pick first and get second it's not a safety issue. It come down to "Oh you have an overdirve" when they spot the indicator on the column.
Cheers

Shifting is quite easy due to the extended lever on the transmission. Spacing is not close. Same as stock. Again, everything lines up.