4L60E column shift linkage
 

Getting set to connect my column shift to the 4L60E transmission.
I have two Heim rod ends and a piece of 3/8 rod
I see that several people are using the Lokar kit with the adjustable bracket that attaches to the transmission.
I am planning on machining my own to go there.
The column has about 54º of travel from Park to L1....the bracket on the transmission has about 78º from Park to L1

My question(s):
About how far (radius) is the centerline of the rod connection from the actuator stub shaft coming out of the transmission?
I can slot the piece I make for adjustment, but I'd rather get it right to begin with.

Also about what angle is the bracket set to in the Park position?
I think it would need to be just a few degrees downward in order to let the shifter move more easily out of the Park position and still allow full range of all the gear positions without binding.

I can figure all of this out but I'm hoping for a head start and some time savings...Thanks!

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

I'm confident you can figure it out....
But I would have to cheat and make a slotted one to find the perfect location...then make the real one based off the slotted one... with 24° diff in travel it would make it easier on me...
The one on my trans is approx 2-1/4" from the trans shifter center to the pin center where the shifter cable hook up.....
In park, the lever hangs down at about the 7oclock position ...the shifter cable comes from the rear..and pulls the lever backwards..
Does your trans not have the lever on it?..

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

Yes it has the lever..and I have also looked at the cable style...not opposed to that if necessary....but...
I was looking at just a rod directly from the shifter lever down to the transmission lever.
Searching the forum results in several that are connected this way using the Lokar rod kit.
My original plan was to just slot the lever...(similar to the Lokar) then use a bolt thru the slot.....get it adjusted and tack weld it in the proper location

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

If you need a photo with a scale LMK I used the Lokar ends on mine and made a longer rod for the 700R4....engine is mounted 3" back. also added a bend for clearance.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

That would be great, thanks...... I was planning on machining a slotted lever today and start experimenting.

I cut the ball off of the lever that was on the transmission, then bent a 3/8 rod to go from the column down to a heim joint.

After a couple of adjustments to the bends, I was able to get it to shift, but the lever radius is too small to allow it to go much past drive without binding.

A measurement of the radius and the approximate angle of your lever at the transmission would help..... and be much appreciated.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

Tough to get a decent photo, need 2 more thumbs.....bend from the top is about 5" down.....getting an angle from the bottom, I will look for my angle gauge.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

Looks like 2 1/4" -2 3/8"...on my adjustment slot....you might need more.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

Awesome...thanks a lot!
I will slot mine for adjustment
Also yours looks almost horizontal or slightly downward with the transmission...that's what I was most concerned about.....the stock one is down about 15º and that makes it bind if I try to go past drive.
Does your indicator line up properly?

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

Indicator is still 3 speed,....this is on a 71 with 700r4. It does line up ok.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

I started with a home made cable linkage and honestly it was not doable for me. So to my surprise I went and got a factory assembly and with moving the position of the bracket and extending the rod It works perfectly. I would have never guessed it would work like it does.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

i used the stock linakge on my 71 with 4.8 4l60e

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

I machined a new adjustable lever for the transmission....changed the angle to about 5º down and slotted it for some adjustment.
It will shift to all positions but the indicator doesn't line up at each one.
In Drive it's perfect....I'm going to leave as is for now and tweak it when I do the final assembly
Attachment 2055912

Attachment 2055913

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

You likely won't get the detents to line up perfectly unless you modify them since the column is made for only a 3 speed transmission. Modifying the detents can be done though, but takes some time. If you have a tilt column, then you have to disassemble the column to get to them.

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

After numerous adjustments...that's what I concluded as well.
Although they got closer, still did not align exactly.
Park and Drive are perfect...I suppose that's going to be sufficient.
Thanks!

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

That's the two main ones, and what I think most people end up doing after adjusting it a thousand times like you said. This is what I do on the detents of tilt columns. It requires having spare junk column parts though. Post 199. https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...-wagon-10.html

That is a nice lever you made, is it steel or aluminum?

Re: 4L60E column shift linkage
 

It's just 3/16 mild steel....I blasted it after I put the bends in it.
I was thinking that when I got it adjusted as best I could, I would make one out of stainless...but probably not necessary.