[justanoldfarmtruck]

L=low=1st gear
s=second?=2nd gear
d=drive=third

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

I still don't understand how you would shift it. There is no 1st 2nd or 3rd on my shifter, it only has p r n d s l.

Obviously you do not understand

L = Low gear = first (1st) gear

S = Second (2nd) gear

D = drive = 3rd gear = high gear = 1-1 out from the trans

N = Nuetral

R = Reverse = back up the vehicle

P = Park = vehicle is parked, parking pawl inside the trans is engaged

[bigdog7373]

Alright, that's what i though it was but i wanted to confirm just to be sure. How difficult is it to install one of these auto-manual kits?

[sqzbox]

Not seeing the shifter. What you have pictured is the cover plate that goes on the console. The shifter is bolted to the trans. hump, under the console.
That cover plate IS the correct one but the ratchet style shifter is underneath it. It will work if you have the console.

[bigdog7373]

I just thought of something. If it already has the L for 1st gear and the s for 2nd, then do i even need the shift kit?

[adantessr]

I don't know about the auto/manual kits but the turbo 350C in my T-bucket has a floor mounted B&M shifter that I call a dual gate . Hou can shift it like a regular auto , or pull up on the T release after you have it in 1 and pull the handle back all the way and it will only upshift one gear at a time . I love it , and it doesn't require any trans mods .As for the lettering on your quadrant . They stood for D=drive , S=super , L=low . Just a little trivia there . The same as 1, 2, 3. They just liked the way it sounded I guess .
Allan

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

I just thought of something. If it already has the L for 1st gear and the s for 2nd, then do i even need the shift kit?

I must type slow . See my last post . No trans shift kit needed .

[bigdog7373]

That's cool, i can actually shift it how it is now without any mods?

[sqzbox]

Bigdog, I think I know what your getting at after re-reading all your posts.

You want to bark tires, get yourself a B&M shift improver kit. Take it to a tranny shop and have it installed. As far as the shifter, use what you have now and just pull it down to L and shift up to S and D for 3rd. You don't need a manual shifter to shift manual.
I have a kit in my 4X4 TH350 and a colom shifter and it works fine. Barks the tires in second, no problem. If you take the money you are thinking about spending on a ratchet shifter and get a tranny shop to put the kit in, you won't have to get your hands dirty.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

That's cool, i can actually shift it how it is now without any mods?

Yes . Not a problem . I did it all the time over the years with everything I had . I remember when I had a '72 pontiac lemans and the kid at the corner gas station didn't know I had an auto trans 'till I told him . Had a nice GTO big bore exhaust system with Walker glass packs and I used to leave up on the throttle briefly just as I manually upshifted . Sounded just like a standard. The shift kit will boost the line pressures and take out some of the delay in the soft upshift if you want it to hit the gearchanges hard . Just depends on what you want it to do . Basically what I'm saying is Ditto on what squeezebox said .

[bigdog7373]

Would doing this decrease the transmission's life?

[sqzbox]

Unless you go from N to 1st with the pedal on the floor, no.

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by sqzbox

Unless you go from N to 1st with the pedal on the floor, no.

Actually the increase in line pressure and the quicker shifts from the kit are supposed to make the clutch facings last longer due to less slippage .

[BigRoy1978]

Originally Posted by sqzbox

Unless you go from N to 1st with the pedal on the floor, no.

lol, always wanted to do that...just to hear what god awful noise it made

[sqzbox]

Don't. I had the same tranny rebuilt twice in 2 yrs. With all the money I had in that tranny, I could have put a 4 speed in it.