Compatible kickdown rods
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
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Compatible kickdown rods
Was at PicknPull today and decided this was a good time to find a replacement for my truck's missing kickdown rod. Unfortunately the pickings were unusually slim today, the only 70's F-Series I could find was a 76, the badges were missing but I'm thinking F100 or F150. Had a small block engine whereas mine has a 460. Now I'm not sure but I sorta think Ford probably made a few different kickdown rods for different applications. Or am I wrong? If I can take that rod and adjust it to my needs then great I'll go get it. Anyone know?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Kickdown rod / 1973/79 F100/350 / 460/C6
According to the parts catalog, 1973/74 & early 1975 (before serial # V80,001) is the same (D4TZ-7A187-A).
Late 1975 (after serial # V80,001), 1976/77 is different (D5TZ-7A187-A).
1978 is different than the two previous rods (D8TZ-7A187-C - 20.83" long).
1979 is different again (D9TZ-7A187-A).
None of these parts numbers were used on any other engine/trans combo, 1973/79 F100/350 460 only.
None of these part numbers have been updated and all are obsolete.
Dunno why Ford has soooo many kickdown rods for just one engine/trans combo, but this is typical.
Internet search: No Ford dealer has D8TZ-7A187-C, no Ford parts obsolete seller with a website has one either.
btw: Junkyards = 1978 Customs have round headlamps, Rangers have rectangular headlamps.
1977/79: The year of the truck is stamped on the second line of the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.
Engine ID: 460's have 7 valve cover bolts / 351M/400's have 8 / 302's have 6 / 360/390's have 5.
Late 1975 (after serial # V80,001), 1976/77 is different (D5TZ-7A187-A).
1978 is different than the two previous rods (D8TZ-7A187-C - 20.83" long).
1979 is different again (D9TZ-7A187-A).
None of these parts numbers were used on any other engine/trans combo, 1973/79 F100/350 460 only.
None of these part numbers have been updated and all are obsolete.
Dunno why Ford has soooo many kickdown rods for just one engine/trans combo, but this is typical.
Internet search: No Ford dealer has D8TZ-7A187-C, no Ford parts obsolete seller with a website has one either.
btw: Junkyards = 1978 Customs have round headlamps, Rangers have rectangular headlamps.
1977/79: The year of the truck is stamped on the second line of the Warranty Plate, which is located on the left door face below the latch.
Engine ID: 460's have 7 valve cover bolts / 351M/400's have 8 / 302's have 6 / 360/390's have 5.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
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Lol. The kickdown rod runs from the throttle linkage to the transmission. It's only function is to downshift automatically when the truck is under load. You can get by without one but in the case of mine it makes the truck a real dog when climbing hills.
Thanks for the numbers NumberDummy. Looks like I'm out of luck for now unless I get the Lokar kickdown linkage (way expensive).
Thanks for the numbers NumberDummy. Looks like I'm out of luck for now unless I get the Lokar kickdown linkage (way expensive).
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 255
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yep.. my passin gear rod wont work on my truck anymore.. i put a 3inor so carb spacer on it and the rod wont wrk... ive been tryin to find out how to extend it.. there isnt any adjustment. any ideas.. sum1 else said just to bend it.. it isnt long enough for that.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
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From: Goliad, Texas
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Yes Dr. Dirt manual trans. does not have a kickdown. 78Ranger maybe you can weld some threaded rod into make it longer and adjustable?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
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Okay I was there again today and verified that the 76 I found before was an F150 with a 360/390. I would've grabbed its kickdown then but I wasn't really dressed to wrestle with it. Think it's worth going back for?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
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Yep, bend and or add length to make it work. I'm not positive but the kickdown helps the transmission build more pressure?
My C6 lost second gear eventually when I ran no kickdown, but it coulda been a bunk trans also.
My C6 lost second gear eventually when I ran no kickdown, but it coulda been a bunk trans also.