Lokar shift linkage

[jessemthompson]

For those of you with the Lokar shift linkage. Can you reach 1st gear with your column? I have a 4L60E with the Lokar linkage and I cannot manually shift into first gear. I can only manually get it into 2nd.

[edgeleycanuck]

I used the lokar linkage to connect that transmission to a late seventies earlier eighties gm tilt column in an AD truck. Quite satisfied with it. I used a peice of steel rod versus the stainless that comes with, as a sacrificial mockup. You have to get the right length of rod and locate the trans end in a spot that gives you full travel in order to get everything from.park to 1st. Lokars instructions suggest a good starting point.

[Wgesnerjr]

Some transmissions came with a 1st gear lockout. I had a 94 Caprice wagon with an LT1 and a 4L60E trans. The lockout was in the trans pan and prevented manually shifting into first. Wagons got a lot of the police 9C1 equipment. I heard GM put this in place to keep overzealous cops from dropping their cars into 1st during car chases and causing damage and transmission warranty claims. (DISCLAIMER: Not disparaging police officers as a whole, just rumors I heard on my impala SS forum. Take it as that, rumor) All this to say, it might not be the Lokar stuff.

I would disconect the Lokar stuff and shift the trans by hand underneath the vehicle. Count the notches and make double sure there is no lockout inside the transmission and it will go all the way down to first gear. Then work on the Lokar stuff from there.