Just wondering how many people on here don’t have a kickdown cable ?

The Charger I have just bought doesn’t have one and I was considering buying the kit but thinking more of it I don’t think it would bother me too much just to drop down to 2nd gear manually everytime I want some hard acceleration, in fact I kind of like the idea of controlling it manually

Any thoughts ?

Thanks

A torqueflite will destroy itself very quickly without a kick down. If you have been driving yours that way it’s likely toast. Sorry.

Kick down is the wrong word for it....it is a Throttle pressure linkage...and if it not install...the clutch pac burns up....so have a good time..

Or does it have a manual valve body?

Sorry I’m just trying to understand this but what is the difference between having a kick down and not having one where you
Just drop down into 2nd gear everytime ? It’s not a manual valve body , thanks

Somebody like Kunkel or Transman can explain it better than I but a stock T-flite REQUIRES the linkage or it WILL burn up its clutches due to slippage. Do not drive the car until you get the linkage installed.

I bought a car without (a 440 Cuda) back in 1992. Transmission was already acting up (would slip under high load) and as I tried to get the linkage installed over the course of a few weeks it died.

And start learning about the adjustment. You want the lever at the tranny to start moving as soon as the carb linkage starts moving off-idle. The Lokar system works, but can be a pain due to the length of travel not being exactly right for a T-flite, but there are ways of dealing with that. If you can source a stock linkage get it!

I'm no expert but the kickdown lever maintains specic pressures in your transmission. Without it as said you'll cook your tranny.

I have a 69 B body that had the kick down and installed, but the spring that goes to it broke and it burned the trans up, so do as they say and fix it.

Stay away from aftermarket junk cable "kickdowns". Just go get the correct factory piece and adjust it. When adjusted it will respond w/o the need to shift it manually. As mentioned you MUST run a "kickdown" or you will destroy the transmission.

What's wrong with the cable kits? I'm using a Lokar on my 518 and it works just fine. Haven't touched it since I put the motor in the car.

I used the Bouchillon kit on my 440/727 combo in my old 69 wagon. The kit worked flawlessly.

The problem you are facing is that you believe the only purpose for the “kickdown linkage/cable” is for downshifts.

Besides the throttle pressure linkage controlling downshifts and upshifts based on throttle pressure/throttle opening is that it also increases line pressure when the throttle is opened.

So without it you could pull the shifter down to a lower gear (and if you go deep in the throttle) without increasing the line pressure you would smoke the clutches and bands. Or, do a manual upshift from 1-2-3 and again go deep in the throttle you would burn the trans up.

Hope that clears things up for you.

I bought a Lokar, that thing was a total POS. I could never get it adjusted right. I was trying to get it right at the track and ended up throwing in the trash. I used my old stock unit and modified it with a piece of beer can and it worked perfectly. They are junk, there mounting bracket is flimsy AF...at least 15 years ago they were. I'd never use one again, way to easy to modify a stock unit.

Thanks for the replies , I am just missing 1 rod for the old linkage system so will go with that rather than Lokar , someone near me has this rod for sale(pics below) which he’s tested on a 727 and the ends fit ok but I’m a bit confused as to why the shape/bends of it are different compared to the one “Year One” is selling ? Any ideas ? Link below , my car is a 70 Charger with a 383, thanks

https://www.yearone.com/Product/chrysler-b-body/kl383#prettyPhoto

There are a lot of different versions of the factory linkage based on application.

That rod does not look like it’s correct, the one in the yearone pic is. Atleast I’ve never seen that style on a 66-70

The ends are correct so worst case could it be modified to fit ? Cut and re-welded etc

If you had the correct measurements that could be done but guessing will not do it. Just get the correct parts a save yourself thousands in rebuilding a trans .

If your carb is aftermarket, be sure to use the correct throttle lever extension or the linkage won't work right.l