Bottom line is that if the average use of a vehicle causes the need to downshift and this is done automatically through the downshift linkage. Now why isn't this an option if no damage is possible without it? Ford did not ever make vehicles like this forum is about available to the public without this linkage on automatic equipped vehicles. The only things that are options are ones that don't cause any possible warranty issues. Just take a look around for yourself and you find all types of optional equipment that may be available with one engine and transmission but not with others. Then there are the ones never offered because Ford couldn't afford the warranty costs.

People tear up manual transmissions everyday because they don't know how to use them and Ford knows this. That is why all of their highest rated tow capacity pickup trucks are equipped with automatic transmissions. Automatics don't require as much skill to use as manual ones do. The chances that even you or I can manually shift any transmission, automatic or manual, perfectly every time are not good. Removal of the downshift linkage and completely relying on your skills to know when to downshift or upshift an automatic transmission is unwise and can damage the transmission.

It is absolutely false to state that there is no harm in driving without the downshift linkage.

 

As I said, there is such a thing as a bus pass. I hate to break it to you but the kickdown does not care what your engine RPM is. As stated earlier as long as the governor is not preventing it your kickdown will downshift regardless of the RPM. This isn't a fancy science here.

 

yeah i can't see how it would result in damage

 

Ok, I see how it works for you. If you haven't seen the problem or the damage it doesn't exist. So go ahead and use that method if it works for you.

For those who are objective and not subjective, do yourself a favor and keep using Ford's design for the automatic transmission's downshifting.

By the way, the roll eyes really only show lack of respect for others here and how immatture the person using it is. But go ahead and use it if it makes you feel better while trying to discount someone elses point.

 

If the trans is set up right the and the governor is doing it's thing the trans will shift correctly with the kick-down lever. Without a kick-down lever you will have the same results, "BUT", the speed the fluid goes to passing (2nd) gear is slower do to manual shifting vs faster auto kick down. This will cause more slipping of the clutches durning that transition which means more clutch wear, higher temps and shorter trans life. At times without a kick down with tall gears and tires the damn thing will not get you out of trouble unless you slam the lever into 2nd or 1 st, no go means it's a rev limiter for the engine, nice. Also think about the linkage wear and tear problem with manual shifting. With the modulator set up properly, piston and proper lever there is no reason to run without a kick down if it's matched to the motor. Carl......o&o>.......

 

Beemer Nut is right, But some of us don't drive stock trucks. And some of us are still kids at hart. And some of us don't care if highway pretrol said that we were doing a 149mph, we just pay the ticket and keep going. My point is just read each other post and put in your 2 cents and go on.

 

74F100, i'm not stock, 410, LR heads, headers, X to 4 1/2" exh. I love them car alarms, set 'em off for fun. At 1,600 rpm's in neutral at a traffic light next to a boom box on wheels, i'll drone them and make their ear drums chatter. Just returning their "wraper" noise. I still do the ton at least once a week, a engine decarboning thing one must do. Carl....o&o>....

 

What you should have said

How about that, the "roll-eyes" DID make me feel better.

This thread was about harming anything without the downshift linkage attached. Not manually shifting your auto. For all we know all the guy ever does is puts it in drive and leave it there. The answer to his original question is NO. The rest of the debate is conjecture based in individual driving style and skill.

 

i agree with proeliator the answer is no it wont hurt anything. someone could ruin a brand new transmition with the improper driving styles. the ? was will it hurt anything and no it wont

 

good 'ol ford, isn't that the truth how some people have the magic touch and can wreck a steel ball. I'm not one to brag but i like the challenge of keeping a destroyed mess running from a person above, nurse it and get home even if it's a 500 mile trip. Mind over steel thing. I have a friend with a 70 F-250, 390 without kick down, he has destroyed the C-6 as well as the column lever linkage after a rebuilt trans from slam down shifting. I would rather have the kick down work at the last 1/2" of throttle travel. Carl....o&o>........

 

Wow! I'm blown away by the originality of your attempted offensiveness proeliator. You're so predictable.

Let's look at the original question of "will it harm anything if I drive it without the kickdown lever hooked up?" There were no specifics mentioned stating what will or won't be done while driving the vehicle this way, so every aspect of it seems important. I didn't see where the original poster refused any of our help.

Conjecture? No guessing has been done. Facts and first hand experiences are not guesses. You might remember where I pointed out that automatic equipped Fords weren't available without this part. Didn't it occur to you that maybe there is a reason for this like warranty issues? If Ford thought for a minute that people in general could handle all downshifts manually or the transmissions could handle it then downshift linkage would not have been standard equipment on all automatic transmissions. It is and always has been required part and a calibrated operation.

Go find for everyone here, a Ford repair manual where it states how to remove the downshift linkage in order to convert over to a manual down shift only setup. You will not find one. So, if this is such a good idea, then where is a Ford Motor Company document that supports doing it? These transmission were around for a long time for Ford to figure out a few things about these transmissions. But they never did get away from the old downshift linkages did they? Who else is a higher authority than Ford on what worked best for these vehicles? There are probably more reasons than I have mentioned for this linkage, such as over revving an engine before upshifting again or stopping with it still in 2nd and then taking off again causing lots of premature wear.

The individual driving habits are a very important part of why not to state that no harm will come by leaving this linkage removed. The answer is still YES.

If any guessing has been done it is by someone who tries to manually downshift properly and upshift again properly. Now that is guessing, unless someone has calibrated reflexes.

Moving on.

 

Hmm, just trying to figure out why Ford didn't stick to their timeless design of running headlight power through the switch rather than through relays. But I guess it's a far more efficient and effective system then those silly old relays anyway. I've never seen a Ford manual describing how to rewire those headlights with relays so it must not be a good idea.

Purely Ford, I never said anyone shouldn't use the kickdown system. I have described in detail on quite a few occasions how to set it up using both the rod and the cable system (which I run). I'm not discouraging anyone from using their kickdown . . . it's a great system that makes driving easier. All I'm saying (yes, I'm still saying it) is removing this lever will not damage a tranny. If someone shifts like an idiot even with their kickdown linkage connected they can damage their transmission. We call this user error. This is the same reason auto makers put lockouts on their shifters so they can't just be popped into reverse while you're going 60. You'd think it common sense but some people don't have any.

Oh, and just because it's here. Yes, I'm predictable too.

 

You're welcome.

It boils down to this; a guy asked a basic question, and you gave him the wrong answer. The correct answer was pointed out, and you have since written pages of obscure blather and conjecture dealing with issues that have nothing to do with the original question; all to divert attention away from the fact that you were wrong. Get over yourself. Nobody cares.

I don't know if the guy is detaching his kd lever for five minutes while he drives to napa and buys a part to fix it. I don't know if he wants to drive like that forever. I don't know if he plans on manually shifting. Telling him that detaching his kd lever will harm anything based on extraneous factors like this is conjecture. Again, for the kids in class who aren't paying attention, the answer to his question is no. Detaching your kickdown lever will not harm anything in and of itself. I'm glad we could "move on" from this

 

what about making a homemade hoookup for the kd does it kickdown if the linkage moves slightly because i think i figured out a way to make it work

with the lokar cable setup do you need the kickdown lever on the carb

 

No, you do not need the factory kickdown lever with the lokar cable. Apparently lokar did not factor in the chance that your truck may get sucked into a black hole with the factory kd removed.