LS swap transmission linkage questions

[rodstored-72]

hi,
I figured if anyone knows the "how-to" of this it would be the great knowledgeable board members here. I am looking to connect my swapped 4L60E trans. into my 1986 2wd swb pickup. I would like to know how you guys have connected the linkage from the steering column gear lever to the shift lever on the transmission? I was hoping that I could use the truck’s arm & the transmission’s shift lever? It does not appear as though this will work, so I want to know what the master builders on here have done…
Thought??? Suggestions?? Encouragement….
Thanks!!

[kglowacky]

you may be better off moving this to the LS1 swap forum. But here's what I did. I bought a 78 in pieces and did not get the linkage at all. I decided to install a shifter cable all the way from the trans to the arm on the steering column. This was not s easy job and not sure how much detail you want so I will give you the basics. bought as cable off ebay. 2009 Chev Trailblazer. reversed the shifter arm on the trans. Then modified the angle on the trans bracket to fit the correct new angle. then had to drill a new connection hole in the new cable to make the cable and the bracket and the shifter lever match up. On the other side it took a lot of time to fabricate a bracket to bolt to the firewall stud below the column opening and supported it by a bracket off the frame that I made. had to be very careful to get the bracket in the correct position for the shifting to be in sync and deciding how to secure the cable on the bracket. I had to build a cover for my bracket to cover the poor looking welding and engineering. LOL I am sure there is a better way but that is how I did it,

[Wgesnerjr]

I used the stock 1985 shifter linkage on my swap. It all fell right into place, just had to adjust it correctly. Not sure if engine/trans placement is different, but it "should" work with some adjustment.

[Rich84]

Same here. I just had to massage it a little (4l80e).

[Mattchu60]

I used a Lokar shifter linkage kit. You'll have to bend the rod they provide to make it fit correctly but it works well after taking some time to set it up.

[Honest Bob]

I tried using the stock linkage but it ended up in the way of my exhaust. I ended up with the lokar.

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by Wgesnerjr

I used the stock 1985 shifter linkage on my swap. It all fell right into place, just had to adjust it correctly. Not sure if engine/trans placement is different, but it "should" work with some adjustment.

jay, thanks.. I thought of the same thing.. but the '13 caty. is in the way of the bracket and the brace to the frame.

Originally Posted by Honest Bob

I tried using the stock linkage but it ended up in the way of my exhaust. I ended up with the lokar.

this is probably what I will end up doing... I was hoping to "save" the $90 for the kit (ACA-1811)

I am going to give it the 'ol college try & make a bracket to fit.... so far it is a bit of a exercise in futility...

[kglowacky]

If I could have gotten away with spending $90 dollars and being done I would have jumped all over it but I did not have the factory linkage and didn't realize the work involved in doing what I did until I was done.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

jay, thanks.. I thought of the same thing.. but the '13 caty. is in the way of the bracket and the brace to the frame.



this is probably what I will end up doing... I was hoping to "save" the $90 for the kit (ACA-1811)

I am going to give it the 'ol college try & make a bracket to fit.... so far it is a bit of a exercise in futility...

CPP sells one that appears to be the exact same as the Lokar one but for half the price....

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...hoCPLEQAvD_BwE

[rodstored-72]

blue jeep,
I have looked at that... checking to see if it will work with factory rod? it appears the supplied rod will be too short?

thanks for the link, it may be my go to option.

[Wgesnerjr]

Here are some pics of my set up. I had to change the 2003 shifter cable/lever on the 4L60E to the one from the 700R4. Then the 1985 linkage worked with some adjustment.

[Wgesnerjr]

These are some pics of the linkage that comes down from the steering column. Not the best pics but best I can do with my phone under the truck without jacking it up.

[rodstored-72]

jay, thanks for the pics!!.. I am curious if you are running the cats? I have all the '86 linkage (except for the "U"connector to the trans). I roughly looked at the overall linkage & it appeared to me that the cat. is in the line of the rod from the frame bracket? I had even cleaned it all up thinking that it might work??
thanks!!!

[Wgesnerjr]

I am running dual aftermarket cats. They are not up near the manifolds but down further where the pipes level out. You can get the U bracket in the junkyard off any rear drive column shifted GM car. (providing the trans is still there.) you can also check a local trans shop to see if they have one laying around.

[TrybalRage]

I just moved the pivot bracket one hole forward, drilled a new hole in the frame to bolt to.

[rodstored-72]

trybal,
thanks for the reply.. I checked into your build page and will follow along for sure . I will check if what you did can be applied with me (considering the '13 stock cats).

thanks!!

[skyphix]

Originally Posted by Rich84

Same here. I just had to massage it a little (4l80e).

Same, with my 80E I had to cut a little off one of the rods and rebend to get the angle correct. Can only get PRND but thats enough for my daily driver/fun truck for now and I am sure I could get more if I did some more modifications. I just moved the U connector from my TH350 to the 80E.

[kglowacky]

looking for a complete original linkage setup for a 78 column shift truck. Anyone have one for sale? Thanks