TH400 Kickdown - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

blazerparts · 05-02-2005, 11:17 AM

First show and shine of the season Saturday and my truck made it to within 2 miles of it. Popped the hood and the Carter carb was flowing gas. Fortunately the show-n-shine was at Summit so I bought an Edlebrock 1406. Switched out carbs in a parking lot and the 396 fired right up. When I bought the truck in December I noticed there was no kickdown setup to the TH400. There appears to be an electrical connection protruding from the left (drivers) side of the trans which I assume is that end of things. My question to the swamii's of chevys is: what do I need to do to have an operable kickdown?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-02-2005, 11:47 AM

You should have a kickdown switch under the dash which gets power from the fuse panel, (unfused ignition). The other connection is a wire down to the transmission.

Here is a pic of the switch.

Jim

70short · 05-02-2005, 12:03 PM

The "69" doesn't have the throttle cable on it. It comes with the throttle rod. Note in the PIC the throttle cable (newer truck). The kickdown switch on our trucks was located on the CARB. I do not want A switch on my carb. Best bet 1.Convert to the throttle cable and install the switch. 2.Buy A LOKAR set up (SPENDY). Please correct me if I am wrong anyone.

Gary

blazerparts · 05-02-2005, 01:21 PM

Ahhhhhh.....so the switch is mechanically activated (by flooring the gas pedal), current from fuse box is then sent to trans. Theoretically, I could just apply current to the electrical blade fitting at the trans and it would down shift?

**VetteVet** · 05-02-2005, 01:57 PM

Skokie has a lokar kickdown for th 400 in the parts board.

skokie · 05-02-2005, 02:16 PM

VetteVet
That part was sold.

**COBALT** · 05-02-2005, 03:36 PM

The '69 doesn't have a switch under the gas petal (did someone already say that?). They're usually mounted on the carb.

So...when I finally decided to swap out my whimpy 2bbl Rochester and cast-iron intake to an Edelbrock 1406 and performer intake I had no kickdown since the old switch was made for the older carburetor. So I decided to opt for the lokar setup and spend a little $$$. Check out these two links:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=70874

...and...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=70868

One thing about what's cool about the lokar switch box. There's a couple of holes in your frame channel (on the driver's side) next to the transmission where you can literally mount the box INSIDE the frame rail. It eliminated the need to break the seal on the transmission to mount it there. All I had to do was plug it in, mount it inside the frame rail, run my wires ,and adjust the throttle linkage so the switch was activated JUST BEFORE wide-open throttle.

Piece-o-cake. Just make sure that nut on the cable is tight. Mine slipped a bit and I started kicking down randomly.

oops.

blazerparts · 05-02-2005, 06:23 PM

Thanks much........what a resource this board is, eh?

**special-K** · 05-03-2005, 07:15 AM

I was planning on using a TH400 from an`86 diesel(injected).I haven`t looked,but wouldn`t it probably have a pedal activated switch?JimKshortstep4x4,what is that set-up in the picture?

JimKshortstep4x4 · 05-03-2005, 07:34 AM

special k,

The pic that I posted is of the stock kickdown switch for the TH 400 in the 71-72 trucks.

Here is a pic of the older style for the BB engines.

Jim

blazerparts · 05-03-2005, 10:12 AM

aye chi wa wa........guess I'll go the lokar way.

**COBALT** · 05-04-2005, 12:15 AM

Yeah...I realized I was spending a lot of time and energy trying to find a stock switch. I realized I could just buy the lokar setup and save the gas money.

gangforward · 05-04-2005, 12:29 AM

I got the lokar setup when I put the TH400 in my 67. Thought it was worth every penny. Slick setup, and very easy to adjust. Here's a pic.

frost89434 · 05-04-2005, 02:14 AM

I used the lokar setup in one of my old trucks. It is a very nice setup. And easy to install.

**special-K** · 05-04-2005, 07:10 AM

So,how expensive?

05-02-2005, 11:17 AM	#1
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	TH400 Kickdown First show and shine of the season Saturday and my truck made it to within 2 miles of it. Popped the hood and the Carter carb was flowing gas. Fortunately the show-n-shine was at Summit so I bought an Edlebrock 1406. Switched out carbs in a parking lot and the 396 fired right up. When I bought the truck in December I noticed there was no kickdown setup to the TH400. There appears to be an electrical connection protruding from the left (drivers) side of the trans which I assume is that end of things. My question to the swamii's of chevys is: what do I need to do to have an operable kickdown? __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

05-02-2005, 11:47 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	You should have a kickdown switch under the dash which gets power from the fuse panel, (unfused ignition). The other connection is a wire down to the transmission. Here is a pic of the switch. Jim Attached Images

05-02-2005, 12:03 PM	#3
70short Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise ID Posts: 609	The "69" doesn't have the throttle cable on it. It comes with the throttle rod. Note in the PIC the throttle cable (newer truck). The kickdown switch on our trucks was located on the CARB. I do not want A switch on my carb. Best bet 1.Convert to the throttle cable and install the switch. 2.Buy A LOKAR set up (SPENDY). Please correct me if I am wrong anyone. Gary __________________ "72" Red CORVETTE 4-speed 350 "70" Chevy Short Bed early stages of resto. Edel 600 cfm carb Weiand Stealth Intake HEI shorty Headers 4/2 Drop 295 50R 15 TOYO on 10 inch wide corvette rally rims at all 4 corners. "CHEVY RULES"

05-02-2005, 01:21 PM	#4
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	Ahhhhhh.....so the switch is mechanically activated (by flooring the gas pedal), current from fuse box is then sent to trans. Theoretically, I could just apply current to the electrical blade fitting at the trans and it would down shift? __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

05-02-2005, 01:57 PM	#5
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Skokie has a lokar kickdown for th 400 in the parts board. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

05-02-2005, 02:16 PM	#6
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	VetteVet That part was sold. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

05-02-2005, 03:36 PM	#7
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	The '69 doesn't have a switch under the gas petal (did someone already say that?). They're usually mounted on the carb. So...when I finally decided to swap out my whimpy 2bbl Rochester and cast-iron intake to an Edelbrock 1406 and performer intake I had no kickdown since the old switch was made for the older carburetor. So I decided to opt for the lokar setup and spend a little $$$. Check out these two links: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=70874 ...and... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=70868 One thing about what's cool about the lokar switch box. There's a couple of holes in your frame channel (on the driver's side) next to the transmission where you can literally mount the box INSIDE the frame rail. It eliminated the need to break the seal on the transmission to mount it there. All I had to do was plug it in, mount it inside the frame rail, run my wires ,and adjust the throttle linkage so the switch was activated JUST BEFORE wide-open throttle. Piece-o-cake. Just make sure that nut on the cable is tight. Mine slipped a bit and I started kicking down randomly. oops. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-02-2005, 06:23 PM	#8
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	Thanks much........what a resource this board is, eh? __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

05-03-2005, 07:15 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	I was planning on using a TH400 from an`86 diesel(injected).I haven`t looked,but wouldn`t it probably have a pedal activated switch?JimKshortstep4x4,what is that set-up in the picture? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-03-2005, 07:34 AM	#10
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	special k, The pic that I posted is of the stock kickdown switch for the TH 400 in the 71-72 trucks. Here is a pic of the older style for the BB engines. Jim Attached Images

05-03-2005, 10:12 AM	#11
blazerparts No,I DON'T have Tourett's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 556	aye chi wa wa........guess I'll go the lokar way. __________________ '72 K5 CST 350/350 Daily Driver '69 GMC3500 Camper Special CST Flatbed 396/400 Upgraded to show truck '69 GMC 2500 L6292, 3spd beater

05-04-2005, 12:15 AM	#12
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Yeah...I realized I was spending a lot of time and energy trying to find a stock switch. I realized I could just buy the lokar setup and save the gas money. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

05-04-2005, 12:29 AM	#13
gangforward Hootis is as Hootis does... Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Georgia Posts: 500	I got the lokar setup when I put the TH400 in my 67. Thought it was worth every penny. Slick setup, and very easy to adjust. Here's a pic. __________________ 67 C10 LWB Fleet, 383, TH400, PS, 4BL-Holley, Headers & 3" Exhaust, 3" drop front, 4" rear springs, ECI shock relocate, Panhard Bar kit, wheels & tires 1995 Z28 Convertible - Borla, K&N, Lingenfelter Motor, C6 Wheels & Tires 1990 2500 4x4 Suburban 3" Catbac System, K&N, 2" Lift, Wheels, Tires

05-04-2005, 02:14 AM	#14
frost89434 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: sparks, NV Posts: 1,141	I used the lokar setup in one of my old trucks. It is a very nice setup. And easy to install. __________________ 68 short fleet with 71 front clip 2wd jaguar blue 99 chevy ext cab shrtbed z71 loaded 99 chevy swb fleetside(daily driver) Sparks, Nevada

05-04-2005, 07:10 AM	#15
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	So,how expensive? __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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