Adjust 4 speed shifter?

[hooverfish]

I just bought a 70 c10 with a 4 speed that has the bulldog first gear. It's hard to shift into second gear (which I use as 1st since I drive it like a 3 speed). I have to kind of muscle it into 2nd and then it shifts the other gears fairly well.

Do I need to adjust the shift linkage to make it easier to go into 2nd?

Searched the site on adjusting the shift linkage and found instructions on adjusting 3 speeds but no 4 speed help.

Any comments / help appreciated.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by hooverfish

I just bought a 70 c10 with a 4 speed that has the bulldog first gear. It's hard to shift into second gear (which I use as 1st since I drive it like a 3 speed). I have to kind of muscle it into 2nd and then it shifts the other gears fairly well.

Do I need to adjust the shift linkage to make it easier to go into 2nd?

Searched the site on adjusting the shift linkage and found instructions on adjusting 3 speeds but no 4 speed help.

Any comments / help appreciated.

Not sure but it sounds like you have a SM465 trans which does not have an adjustable shift linkage.

You might want to make sure it has the correct gear oil in it and that it is full.

How is your clutch adjustment. Do you have any free play in the clutch pedal?

[RexDodge]

I've always been told that first was designed for heavy pulling etc. Always drove those trucks like a 3 speed. 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

[special-K]

Yeah,they are actually a 3spd with underdrive. 2nd is intended to be used as 1st.Later on when more people other than working men with common sense started buying trucks the changes the 1 to L,the 2 to 1,etc. No linkage at ll with these. Your synchronizers are likely worn. It's customary to go to third than 2nd to sync it up better

[hooverfish]

Originally Posted by special-K

Yeah,they are actually a 3spd with underdrive. 2nd is intended to be used as 1st.Later on when more people other than working men with common sense started buying trucks the changes the 1 to L,the 2 to 1,etc. No linkage at ll with these. Your synchronizers are likely worn. It's customary to go to third than 2nd to sync it up better

Do you mean when I approach a stop to shift from 4th to 3rd, before going into
2nd when I stop?

Thanks for the input from both you and Tbone......

[whiskey_marc]

Originally Posted by hooverfish

Do you mean when I approach a stop to shift from 4th to 3rd, before going into
2nd when I stop?

I drive semi for a living, and we're always taught to downshift when slowing down.
This tip works for all vehicles. From a stop, if you have trouble putting the shifter into 2nd, just let the clutch out to the point where you can feel it engage while holding the shifter in place, you will spin the gears in the trans a little bit and the shifter will fall right in.

It's the worst pet peeve to have, but I can't stand when people just go to neutral to come to a stop - it's wasted effort, especially when you can use the gears to help slow the vehicle. The good thing about downshifting is that you will end up in your starting gear, and can stay there until you can go again.

Have a good one

[1971 cheburban]

The gold old top shift truck 4 speed, the most clunking hardest working transmission ever. Chances are your synchros are worn like Special K said,every one just muscles them into gear, just downshift, you don't even have to engage the clutch just go down through the gears, 4-3-2 then hit the brakes and stop, your in 2nd and take right off, and the clutch might need adjusted, plus a fluid change wouldn't hurt either.

['68OrangeSunshine]

The synchros are brass and made to wear out and be replaced under regular service. There is no synchro between 1st ['Granny Gear'] and 2nd. For unloaded street operations, the SM465 is essentially a 3-speed.