Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: North Florida
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
I need a shift linkage, and a kickdown linkage right now I have no kickdown and my shift linkage keeps falling out of place it's broken the little "ear" off the bottom and lost the clip on the top
I do NEED a kickdown linkage right? i mean they wou'nt have put one on if it did'nt need it right?
Any ideas where to get one? And where does the kickdown hook to anyway?
I do NEED a kickdown linkage right? i mean they wou'nt have put one on if it did'nt need it right?
Any ideas where to get one? And where does the kickdown hook to anyway?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 3
From: Comox Valley, Canada
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
The kick down is kind of optional.....I have driven without one for several years. I think it really is only to shift down to a lower gear for passing, etc...... but I have a shift lever and a hand for that 
Just have to watch the revs.
Just have to watch the revs.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9
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From: Kilgore, Texas
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: CA
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
The kickdown, at least on C4's, is a convenience that uses throttle pressure, rather then hand shifting, to force the valve body to shift from third to second for more acceleration, and back to third when you release pedal pressure.
No (again at least in the C4) you don't need it, but it has one benefit; if it's adjusted properly, and your revs are already quite high in third, it won't work and you won't over rev the engine.
You can get them in most boneyards around here for $2 and a smile. You need a carb with auto tranny linkage, or you can fab something up.
No (again at least in the C4) you don't need it, but it has one benefit; if it's adjusted properly, and your revs are already quite high in third, it won't work and you won't over rev the engine.
You can get them in most boneyards around here for $2 and a smile. You need a carb with auto tranny linkage, or you can fab something up.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,437
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From: Oak Harbor WA
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Go with Mil1ion's advice, you need to go to the junkyard. The linkage is very nice to have, trust me. My truck didn't have the linkage working properly and it didn't run too good.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 97
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From: North Florida
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Does the kickdown "hold" it harder in a lower gear when you get on the gas like I heard some chevys do ?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Manaully downshifting and upshifting during hard accelleration with an auto like these trucks have in them is unwise. You risk damaging the transmission and it doesn't have to be driven that hard either. If Ford felt that the average owner could do it without damaging them then there would be no such thing as the downshift linkage. A few people get away with not using this linkage without damaging anything (so they say) and suddenly it's no longer needed?
Many people have had damaged auto trannies from just shifting in and out of gears for parking, so how lucky do you feel not using the proper linkage for driving at highway speeds?
There are aftermarket kits and such for modifying auto trannies for better performance and for racing. There are applications that allow manual shifting and may be worth a look. Check into some of these and then decide if not using the downshift linkage is really going to be reliable.
Many people have had damaged auto trannies from just shifting in and out of gears for parking, so how lucky do you feel not using the proper linkage for driving at highway speeds?
There are aftermarket kits and such for modifying auto trannies for better performance and for racing. There are applications that allow manual shifting and may be worth a look. Check into some of these and then decide if not using the downshift linkage is really going to be reliable.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 925
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From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
If you can not down shift your truck properly then you should leave it in drive.
A C4 OR C6 will NOT be damaged due to lack of a kick down .
Read your owners manual or any for truck manual - these transmissions are set up to be auto and manual shifting ( from the factory)
You will not damage anything -
From my 1974 owners manual "under normal road conditions the transmission can be shifted to 1 at speeds up to 60mph"
You only need the kick down to make the tranny down shift when the gas pedal is floored .
A C4 OR C6 will NOT be damaged due to lack of a kick down .
Read your owners manual or any for truck manual - these transmissions are set up to be auto and manual shifting ( from the factory)
You will not damage anything -
From my 1974 owners manual "under normal road conditions the transmission can be shifted to 1 at speeds up to 60mph"
You only need the kick down to make the tranny down shift when the gas pedal is floored .
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Those are some good points. Just don't forget that all of these automatic transmissions did come with a factory downshift linkage and wasn't optional to get one with or without at the purchasers discretion. What is a good way to manually downshift to first gear at or near 60 mph? Please elaborate. Would you really need to or want to downshift into first gear at or near 60 mph? Sounds very unsound to me.
Saying that no damage will occur to any C4 or C6 while not using a downshift linkage is untrue. The transmission isn't always going to downshift under loads when needed if the linkage is missing and when the accelerator is depressed far enough. Excessive heat build up will occur and does damage automatic transmissions not to mention the wear on the bands while all of this unnecessary slippage is occurring.
The downshift linkage does operate before wide open throttle.
Anyway if someone doesn't mind risking damage to a transmission they can leave off the linkage.
Saying that no damage will occur to any C4 or C6 while not using a downshift linkage is untrue. The transmission isn't always going to downshift under loads when needed if the linkage is missing and when the accelerator is depressed far enough. Excessive heat build up will occur and does damage automatic transmissions not to mention the wear on the bands while all of this unnecessary slippage is occurring.
The downshift linkage does operate before wide open throttle.
Anyway if someone doesn't mind risking damage to a transmission they can leave off the linkage.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Finding the kickdown rod may be a PIA. Another option is a cable kit from Lokar. I used one on my 73 F350 with transplanted 460. Worked great! www.lokar.com
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
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From: CA
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
The C4 and C6 are very rare among auto trannys in that they do NOT use the kickdown lever to vary fluid pressure. They simply kick the manual valve into the next lower gear for you, rather then you using the shifter. If the vacuum modulator and governor then sense that conditions are right, the transmission will downshift. Once the rpm's come back up, the governor will cause a shift back to third.
The only inconvenience of not having a kickdown rod is that you must downshift by hand. Again, this only applies to the C4 and C6. You will not damage anything. I never use the kickdown. But don't take my word for it, as it's easy to research!
The only inconvenience of not having a kickdown rod is that you must downshift by hand. Again, this only applies to the C4 and C6. You will not damage anything. I never use the kickdown. But don't take my word for it, as it's easy to research!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
I just don't understand why anyone will discount someone's experience with seeing damage caused by relying soley on manually downshifting any automatic transmission. Just because they have seen it it doesn't exist. If someone says they haven't had any problems I believe them. Still others haven't been as lucky.
Quoting the details of the mechanics in automatic transmissions can't explain away the real experienced damage. It kind of falls into the (It was engineered to be used this way but it broke anyway category).
I don't need to perform any more research because I already know the truth and so does Ford, the makers and promoters of the downshift linkage. If downshift linkage was considered a convenience then give some sources by Ford that promotes the removal of it.
Quoting the details of the mechanics in automatic transmissions can't explain away the real experienced damage. It kind of falls into the (It was engineered to be used this way but it broke anyway category).
I don't need to perform any more research because I already know the truth and so does Ford, the makers and promoters of the downshift linkage. If downshift linkage was considered a convenience then give some sources by Ford that promotes the removal of it.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
Both methods will work. The kickdown linkage will only work at fairly wide throttle openings and only if the linkage is operated quickly. You have control over the throttle opening when you use the shifter method. I have used both methods to downshift on vehicles equipped with the kickdown linkage. I prefer the convenience of the kickdown linkage for those quick passing etc situations which is probably why Ford included the linkage in the first place. The internal governing systems in the transmission will keep shifting from occurring in a manner that will destroy the transmission or engine but you can get some extremely hard shifts.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Source for a Transmission Linkage...?
I accept all of your inputs, and I dont mean to be a rebel. Hey, Im 17, its my nature, anyways When i dropped my new 351M in my truck in front of my c6 i kind of sheared the bushing in the kickdown linkage so i removed it. And to my surprise the truck still downshifted, dont get me wrong, not like the kickdown works, but at speeds around 30 and lower if I gave it enough gas it would drop a gear softly and give me a bit more power or maybe it was some kind of stallout protection, whatever the case be it did downshift, but when i replaced the kickdown i got a pleasnt passing experience and for somereason, though it may be purely mental i noticed better throttle response.