4L60 Tranny

[no52]

I need some help....can a 4L60 tranny, which is four (4) speeds forward,
be set up with only a three (3) speed automatic on the column?
This 71 C10 has a 4L60 tranny but the shift indicator only shows 1st, 2nd, and Drive. It has a rebuilt 350ci and it drives great, especially on the highway....any ideas?

[cool68]

search aftermarket sites for a clear stick on indicator that is put on the steering column. there is also linkage upgrade to use the column shift too.

[no52]

Maybe I didn't explain myself.
I do not need a shift indicator that are sold for both 3 and 4 speed automatics.
But rather, the C10 has a four (4) speed tranny but only has three (3) speeds on the colum.
My question is ....where is the other gear?

There is no switch to activate Overdrive!
Can the tranny be set up for only three gears?

[tlcrz1972]

With my experience of mine, I'm running the 4L60E with the factory tilt (3 speed) column, it works perfectly. These old columns have enough slack (rotation) in them that it should operate through the full range of the four gears. The detents work close enough for 4th (in drive), 3rd (in 2nd) and 2nd (in 1st), and there is just enough extra rotation to go clear into 1st.

And in fact I feel the detents of the transmission better than the detents of the column.

[no52]

Thanks tlcrz1972...
I have a question...how do you get into 1st gear?
If "1" on the column is second gear how and when does first gear engage?

[truckdude239]

It doesnt when you put the trans in drive it will automticly shift though the gears you shouldnt need to put in low first unlessyour driving in snow or something if u put it in first then thats the only gear u will have

[hugger6933]

All four forwards on the 4l60 and 4l80 are actual speeds inside the trans, not operated by a switch like the ones on the end[of the shifter stick] of the newer trucks. that is similar to a torque converter lockup and is operated either by the switch or pcm. jim

[cool68]

back to the question of where is the missing gear - linkage not set up properly? as long as you have the three primary indents: reverse, neutral and OD/Drive that is all you really need unless you are going to try speed shifting or maybe towing.

[no52]

I now understand about the tranny shifting when in Drive.
I will be towing and therefore, what can I do to change this over and be able to start in Low or 1sr gear?

This Forum is great. You all will forget more than I will ever know!
Thanks.......

[Bigdav160]

When you leave a stop you are in first gear. The only difference with the manual low position is the engagement of the low/reverse clutch. This allows an engine braking effect when in first gear.

First gear, in a 700r4/4L60/e, is so low manual low is rarely, if ever, used.

I would be surprised that the steering column shift bowl doesn't have enough range to allow everything from "Park" to manual low.

[no52]

Thanks again guys!
So I know I can buy the column shift indicator for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, &Drive.
But what would I have to change or do to actually be able to shift into all four (4) gears plus Reverse?

[knomadd]

I don't have an overdrive in mine yet, but from what I understand, there isn't anything you need to do to the column to get it to work with your trans. The indicator will show you the additional gear. If I understand correctly what the others have said, the detents in the factory column are not so deep that you can't shift into individual gears manually. It also sounds like the 1st gear of your current 3-speed setup would be 2nd gear in the OD trans. Your current trans and linkage will not allow you to over rotate the gear selector on the column, but (if the others are right... I don't know myself) there is enough rotation in the factory column to allow the new trans to shift into 1st, as indicated by the new shift indicator you'd purchase.

Now, I haven't done this so I could be wrong. Also, if you have an aftermarket column, it may or may not be the same. I'm simply going off of what the others have said before me, but it sounds like you don't have to mod anything in the column to manually shift into any forward gear, 1-OD, neutral, reverse, or park.

[no52]

I hope I understand this right!
All I do is buy a column shift indicator that will have 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & D.
This will replace my current indicator that only shows 1sr, 2nd,and D.
I won't have to do anything to the linkage?
Or, will I have to do something to the linkage?
Thanks....

[leftybass209]

Yes, SOME people have to change the linkage in order to engage first gear. Companies like Kugel, Lokar, and CPP all have linkages around 50 dollars that can help. Some people can adjust the stock linkage to get it to engage first gear. As stated, the column is not set up for some pre indicated amount of gears. Theoretically you could make a stock column shift an 8 speed transmission.

[tlcrz1972]

There should be enough rotation in the factory column to allow you to shift the new trans into 1st. The factory linkages will allow it to rotate into the new 1st gear position with no problem.
I have never changed the inner working of my factory column, it still has the 3 speed shift detent.

[no52]

Thanks again Tlcr1972....
I have purchased the truck but won't get delivery for a few weeks.
I am going to order the column shift indicator and hope that there is enough slack to pick up all 4 forward gears!

[cool68]

post some pics as soon as you get it.

[no52]

Thanks cool 68...I will.
Thanks to all for helping me out!!!

[LockDoc]

-
I put a 2004r automatic overdrive transmission in my '69 Suburban with the regular column and shifter, and it shifts through all of the gears just fine. Whether you are shifting manually or automatically.

LockDoc

[no52]

Hi Lock Doc,
If you have 1, 2, D on the column where do you feel 1st gear?
Does that happen when you are in 1 and you feel both 1st & 2nd?
Or when you put it in Drive do you feel all three gears and overdrive shift?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by no52

Hi Lock Doc,
If you have 1, 2, D on the column where do you feel 1st gear?
Does that happen when you are in 1 and you feel both 1st & 2nd?
Or when you put it in Drive do you feel all three gears and overdrive shift?

When I pull it all the way down it actually goes below the 1st mark a little ways. I think you are worrying too much. Just wait until you get the truck and drive it. If it has been set up correctly it will drive and shift fine without changing anything.

LockDoc