Notices
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

kickdown linkage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 12:36 AM
  #1  
discochris's Avatar
discochris
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
kickdown linkage

Ok, I started installing my floor shifter on my 66 F100 with the C-4 transmission.

Everything was pretty much going fine, until, when I disconnected the kickdown rod at the transmission, the circlip where it connects at the top popped loose, and the whole rod came loose. (of course the circlip fell god knows where...)

Now that I'm looking at this, I have a couple questions.

1. Is the kickdown rod needed? I've read a couple different opinons on this, but many say it's not.

2. How exactly does it work? The spring up by the carb where it attaches doesn't really seem to do much of anything. I seriously wonder if mine has ever even worked properly. I've never had much passing power.

3. In what position is it supposed to be when sitting in park, with no pressure on the gas pedal? Mine seems to be about 1/4 in out from the adjuster screw hitting the metal piece.

Thanks again in advance!
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 04:55 AM
  #2  
jowilker's Avatar
jowilker
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Club FTE Silver Member

Kick down, is a street name, Bill probably can give you the proper name is a connecting rod that kicks the transmission from high gear back to second when the gas peddle is mashed hard. That is why it is called passing gear.

Can you run without one, yes, but they are nice when working and working properly.

BTW: Car truck should be the same, and you can buy new C clips.


John
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 09:48 AM
  #3  
discochris's Avatar
discochris
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
I think, but am not positive, that it's called the downshift linkage, or downshift rod.

I wasn't too concerned about getting a new circlip. That'll be easy. My concern is whether I can get it properly adjusted. When I hook it up after being completely off (which was not my intention to remove the whole rod), it has significant tension on the spring - to the point where it's about halfway through it's range, just sitting there in park. I'm wondering what the correct position of that spring should be. I would think it should have little tension on it while sitting there, and that the tension should come when the downshift actuates. Is this correct?
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #4  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by discochris
I think, but am not positive, that it's called the downshift linkage, or downshift rod.
THE CORRECT FORD NOMENCLATURE IS....uh.... KICK-DOWN ROD.
97409S .. Clip...still available from Ford.

No kick-down rod = no passing gear.
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:11 PM
  #5  
discochris's Avatar
discochris
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities
Thanks! Any inkling on how this should be adjusted? Both the Detroit Iron CD and Chilton manual talk about setting it with a feeler gauge, but when it's hooked up now, as I said, it's pulling about halfway on the spring. Can that be right?
 
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2008 | 01:56 PM
  #6  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by discochris
Thanks! Any inkling on how this should be adjusted? Both the Detroit Iron CD and Chilton manual talk about setting it with a feeler gauge, but when it's hooked up now, as I said, it's pulling about halfway on the spring. Can that be right?
I haven't a klew. My F100 is a 3 speed stick and overdrive.

You can get original and reprints of the Ford shop manuals from faxonautolit.com.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
silar
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
23
Apr 25, 2026 09:12 AM
94-Beast-F350
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jan 1, 2016 09:41 AM
dmar68137
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Jul 19, 2014 12:10 AM
0ldman
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
May 13, 2014 09:22 PM
taylorjgreen
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Feb 23, 2012 07:00 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:12 PM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE