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Trying to adjust the 4-speed shifter in my '88. Backed off the nuts at the trans, flipped levers to nutrel, and slid a pin into the hole at base of shifter.
Here's the problem: After the hole in the bracket, I can't find anymore holes to line up with. My understanding was that there is a hole in each rod/link/lever to line up.
Trying to adjust the 4-speed shifter in my '88. Backed off the nuts at the trans, flipped levers to nutrel, and slid a pin into the hole at base of shifter.
Here's the problem: After the hole in the bracket, I can't find anymore holes to line up with. My understanding was that there is a hole in each rod/link/lever to line up.
Trying to adjust the 4-speed shifter in my '88. Backed off the nuts at the trans, flipped levers to nutrel, and slid a pin into the hole at base of shifter.
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: 4+3 shifter adjustment (96LT1)
I had no luck doing it that method. The second time around, I just pulled the reverse lockout up, and moved the shifter back and forth through the neutral gates, and adjusted the rods 'trial and error.'
It's smooth as silk now. Basically, the neutral gates weren't exactly the same size, and the shift would still catch the edges when I tossed it back and forth.
Also, I had the short-link shift kit.. and the slots going onto the tranny were too big. When engaging gears, the levers, even though they were tight would slip on the shiftershafts, thus screwing up my neutral alignment.
I took the links back out and wacked em with a ball-peen hammer to shrink the slots down to fit snug.
After the hole in the bracket, I can't find anymore holes to line up with.
That's because there aren't any. :D One of the *many* areas the manuals are wrong about.
Scorp508 bought a used trans with the OEM tool used to align the shifter (he posted a picture if you want to search), but you can make a crude one. Use a flat piece of steel about .090" thick x .650" wide for at least 3" long. Bevel the end slightly, and you're in business.
Trying to adjust the 4-speed shifter in my '88. Backed off the nuts at the trans, flipped levers to nutrel, and slid a pin into the hole at base of shifter.
Here's the problem: After the hole in the bracket, I can't find anymore holes to line up with. My understanding was that there is a hole in each rod/link/lever to line up.
In over my head again......
I am having the same problem with my 88 shifter. Luke all the sudden it bound up in reverse and when I put it in another gear it won't move, it is locked in reverse.
I've put a Allen wrench thru the holes and taken the rods loose at trans. Made sure they were adjusted to fit and it still won't shift into reverse now. And I can't turn rear wheels so that tells me it's still locked in gear. WTH?
Last edited by Michael Patrick; Jun 5, 2025 at 01:45 PM.
Reason: Add to my post
Occasionally, mine will get stuck in what feels like "between reverse and a forward gear too" It is odd... This works for me when that happens:
Put the shifter in Reverse as normal. Then, don't grab the shifter and take it out of Reverse, but with a finger on the radio side - push/touch it down to neutral. The spring that pulls it to center will flop it a bit, but for me it gets it realigned to the shifter rods again.
It helps to have a pic to go with the description. You need a tool similar to this, that I made out of a piece of metal stock with a grinder. It was easy to make, using the dimensions mentioned above, and slides right into the slot at the base of the shifter. It helps if you disconnect the shift rods from the levers to start with, and then simply adjust each rod to the proper length. If your transmission is locked in any particular gear, use a pair of channel-locks on the shift levers to put them into the neutral or center position.
4+3 shifter adjustment
