Shift linkage - 700r4 to 4l60e

[EagleChief]

I pulled a 700r4 transmission out of my truck for my LS swap, as I have a mated 5.3 with a 4l60e. The linkage worked fine on the 700r4 with my column shifter.

Can I just re-install the shift linkage to my 4l60? It looks like everything should line up, but this is my first shot at doing anything like this and I'm not sure if what I'm getting into.

I've read through a bunch of threads, but I didn't find anything on the connections for the two... just that they are "basically the same thing". I'm not worried if the needle lines up to the markings on the column for PRND. I'm used to shifting by feel, just because that's how I grew up and learning to drive.

[clay68c10]

It should work fine. They are basically the same transmission, with lots of internal upgrades over the years.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

It should work fine. They are basically the same transmission, with lots of internal upgrades over the years.

That's what I had assumed, but we always know where that leads us. "basically the same" is what I've determined. I just wasn't sure if the linkage connections had changed over the years. Thanks.

[A1971Blazer]

It will work just fine
I'm using most of the linkage from a 350 turbo for my 4L60E
Since my exhaust is tucked up high I had to make a bracket to straddle the pipe.
I fashioned a rod from 3/8" stainless rod and using 3/8" Heim joints on both ends.
It shifts as good as any of my other auto trucks, but of course the indicator doesn't line up exactly and it won't go all the way into 1st gear manually.
I can live with that.
this is before I attached the rod ends.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

It will work just fine
I'm using most of the linkage from a 350 turbo for my 4L60E
Since my exhaust is tucked up high I had to make a bracket to straddle the pipe.
I fashioned a rod from 3/8" stainless rod and using 3/8" Heim joints on both ends.
It shifts as good as any of my other auto trucks, but of course the indicator doesn't line up exactly and it won't go all the way into 1st gear manually.
I can live with that.
this is before I attached the rod ends.
Attachment 2305699

Thank you! My truck has a bracket that looks similar to that, although welded to the inside of the frame. This helps me orient the connection, though. Hopefully, I'll get some time to get it hooked up this weekend. Thank you so much for the picture!!!

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Thank you! My truck has a bracket that looks similar to that, although welded to the inside of the frame. This helps me orient the connection, though. Hopefully, I'll get some time to get it hooked up this weekend. Thank you so much for the picture!!!

You bet.
I would mention that the original rod connected to that style of bracket closer to the frame.
Obviously I couldn't do it that way because of the exhaust, and I shortened the intermediate piece quite a bit.
but using the Heim joints on both ends worked really well.

[EagleChief]

I finally got a few minutes to look at my shift linkage and tried to get it hooked up. But, I don't think I have all of the parts to get it connected, or, maybe I need a different set up. I tried to get some pictures of what I'm dealing with.

[A1971Blazer]

that’s the wrong piece on the transmission…it should be a U shaped part that fits into the notches on the bellcrank
look at my picture again and you can see the end of it with the spring, washer, and cotter pin.
LMC has it #2....junk yards are full of them, they were used on a lot of vehicles
It makes a kind of "floating" connection to the transmission
https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...ission-linkage

[EagleChief]

Thank you. I thought it looked odd. Any idea what that would be from? I haven't done anything to the transmission. I received it that way from the salvage I bought it from.

And, side question... The electrical connection there above the bracket - What is that for? I do not have a connection on my wire harness that would plug into that spot. I'm guessing it's for a gear selector for the newer electronic stuff? But, do I need to have something connected there?

*EDIT* Looks like that bracket is for a TH350. I have converted to a 4l60e that came connected to my engine. The bracket on my transmission is bolted on.

[A1971Blazer]

it would probably be from a 350 turbo but could be on a number of different trans
it fit my 4l60E just fine, should fit the 700R4 as well
Also you're correct on the electrical connector, that was used on later model electronic engines as a range indicator. It signaled the ECM where the gear selector was.

[EagleChief]

Hmmm.... this thing has me baffled, now. I was hoping that I could just hook up mine to the 4l60e and be done with it (since it was a similar housing). But, guess I have some more research to do. I'm trying to find pictures of how 4l60's are set up, but it seems there are too many different variations. Some of the pictures that show something close to mine, the bracket is either backwards, or there's a whole other shifter linkage tied to it.

I can find a replacement part that looks like the bracket attached to my 4l60, but it mentions a cable driven selection?? https://www.autozone.com/powertrain/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[A1971Blazer]

you don't need the range box or any wiring to it,
the connector on the other side of the transmission, the VSS, and the linkage to move the selector is all you need to make the 4L60E work.

A lot of them were cable operated, had different configurations, and used the kind of lever that you linked to.
mine had the range box on it from the vehicle it came from and was cable shifted (TransAm), it went in the trash...

[LS short box]

Some folks use the range selector to run their back up lights. If you use it for that it needs to run thru a relay. I've used a number of 4L60E's on my LS swaps and never used it. I can live without back up lights.

[LockDoc]

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You are making it harder than it really is. Get the shift pivot bracket that the arrow is pointing to in the picture below for a TH350. If your 700 has one like it use it. Take the nut off of your shifter pivot bracket on your 4l60e and remove it . Put the TH350 bracket on your 4l60e and put the nut back on. Connect your stock linkage back up and it should work.

LockDoc

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by LS short box

Some folks use the range selector to run their back up lights. If you use it for that it needs to run thru a relay. I've used a number of 4L60E's on my LS swaps and never used it. I can live without back up lights.

Yea, like you, I'm not too worried about reverse lights. Should I pack that thing with grease, or anything else? Or, just forget about it?

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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You are making it harder than it really is. Get the shift pivot bracket that the arrow is pointing to in the picture below for a TH350. If your 700 has one like it use it. Take the nut off of your shifter pivot bracket on your 4l60e and remove it . Put the TH350 bracket on your 4l60e and put the nut back on. Connect your stock linkage back up and it should work.

LockDoc

Thanks, LockDoc. I'm sure I am making it harder than it is. I'll try one of those brackets and see if I can get things to line up.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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You are making it harder than it really is.
LockDoc

I was thinking this same thought as I was attempting to offer the exact same solution, but I didn't want to offend the OP

Also just FYI, on my build, the neutral safety/back-up light switch on the lower column works just fine to energize the back-up lights should you want them.

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

I was thinking this same thought as I was attempting to offer the exact same solution, but I didn't want to offend the OP

Also just FYI, on my build, the neutral safety/back-up light switch on the lower column works just fine to energize the back-up lights should you want them.

No offense here. I appreciate your feedback/advice and the picture. I'm not afraid to admit when I'm lost. I'm here to learn, but sometimes I just need someone to straight up tell me what to do. Like both of you saying, "hey dumbass... just do this and quit overthinking it!"

While doing a search for the subject, I ran across your thread the other night. While I tried to read through it, I was extremely tired and almost dozed off. Then, I never got around to going back to it to catch up where I left off. I need to read through it again!

[A1971Blazer]

Best of luck with it and don't be afraid to ask for help.

I'm reluctant to call anyone a "dumbass" because no one was a natural born expert.

For me, most everything I know was learned from someone that already knew what they were doing and/or had already done it.

Carry on my friend...will be watching for progress...

[EagleChief]

Hopefully I'll be giving an update before too long. I got the part ordered and it should be here tomorrow.

[EagleChief]

Alright, alright, alright... I got under the truck this weekend and swapped out the shifter linkage. It took some finagling to get it on there. I had to end up pulling the mounting bracket off the frame, not once, but twice!

To begin with, it took me a while to figure out I needed to pull the mounting bracket off of the truck to make everything fit. I tried my best to get it on there "the easy way", hoping it would just slide into place. Nope, not enough clearance. I removed everything, got the new one mounted. Bolted up the bracket to the frame, then realized I left the nut off of the transmission stud that holds the linkage on. So, I had to take everything back apart, put the nut on, then re-assemble everything again. All in all, I spent about 1.5 hrs on a 20 minute project for most of you.

But, it's on. Now I just hope that I have it in the correct position! I really don't want to have to take it apart again to flip the linkage around. I did run the column shifter through the gears, and it seemed to work. I just hope I'm in the correct gear. HA!

I attached a couple of crappy pictures looking down from above the engine.

[A1971Blazer]

By Jove....I believe you've gawt it....

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

By Jove....I believe you've gawt it....

Thanks for your help, and LokDoc, as well!!

[cj847]

One thing I like to recommend to folks with electronic transmissions is to use/take advantage of the neutral safety and back up lights on the transmission vs the steering column.

Here's a pick of what you have to do:

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by EagleChief

Thanks for your help, and LokDoc, as well!!

Good deal! Glad you got it finished up.

[Accelo]

Some 4L60E's have a longer selector shaft to accommodate the PNRD321 switch.
Typically the linkage on the truck can be shortened to accommodate the difference.
I do not purchase the aftermarket indicator for the column. The spacing is off and you have to change the ratios on the levers to get it to indicate correctly. Just use the stock one and if you get neutral to line up every thing will indicate correctly, except low will be past the indicated low. No one ever uses it anyway.

The nice thing about the 93 and up 4L60E is the full throttle shifting is programed and can easily be modified it you have cam installed. Also all the torque converter lock-up functions work.
Including torque converter braking, for down hill, if you have cruise installed. It just works.
The wiring is more complicated but it also reduces the jury rigging one had to accept in the past.

Cheers.