'81 wagon with dual range 4 speed (4" lift installed)

 

Was out in our Uber-rare spring-time 13" snow yesterday and was having

a blast, but I've noticed that it's getting more and more difficult to shift

into 1st and/or 2nd when the tranny is cold.. It's better once it warms

but it seems it's in a slight bind/torque occassionally and that I"m not able

to get enough "throw to the left" to find 1st or 2nd. If I can get it rolling

in 3rd (low range), then I'm able to work it into first.

 

I'm fairly certain that additional mods to the stick-shift extension is in order

here, but I wanted to check w/the gang to make sure it's not something else,

common in these cars..

 

I'll also re-double-check all nuts/bolts installed during the lift, just to make

sure I don't have any issues with the "cinder blocks under this house trailer". Oh, and have a look at the shift connection at the tranny, of course.

 

It's been a little stubborn to shift into 1st and 2nd in the past, but mainly while in 4wd before it had warmed up a bit..

 

anything else to check?

 

best regards,

gadberry

I had a similar thing happen to my car awhile back and it ended up being shifter bushings. Out of 4 bushings i had 1/2 lol. It made it very hard to find 1st and 2nd and almost impossible to find 5th (2wd). I would get under the car and find out whats going on. Also check your role pins. They could be worn out and warrant the GD patent pending fix .

Edited March 23, 201016 yr by hatchsub

I had a similar thing happen to my car awhile back and it ended up being shifter bushings. Out of 4 bushings i had 1/2 lol. It made it very hard to find 1st and 2nd and almost impossible to find 5th (2wd). I would get under the car and find out whats going on. Also check your role pins. They could be worn out and warrant the GD patent pending fix .

 

 

10-4 on that Awaiting schedule compliance for a personal tootalage doing mine...only get 3rd about 75% of the time

You sure the clutch is releaseing completely? - if it's dragging it could make it hard to get into gears.

 

Otherwise - you probably need to redo the whole linkage.

 

GD

GD,

 

thanks for the tip, I replaced the clutch cable last fall, so

after a quick adjustment of the clutch, it shifts better!

 

Still alittle hard to hit 2nd on a downshift but I haven't driven it

too much since the adjustment. I'll have to try it in 4wd, but it's

much better, and I'm thankful for your help.

 

I'm sure I'll need to replace bushings at some point,

but I only have 144k on the clock

 

cheers

Make sure that you routed the cable under the steering shaft and the heater core hoses or it will wear out prematurely.

 

GD

Yep, I followed the advice of others on the board when installing, plus I've

got a OEM spare in the car.

 

I've got a waterpump with a growl and a new brake m/c to install

soon so I'll be a USMB regular again, soon.

 

Cheers