Shifter change from 2 speed to 3 speed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old July 30th, 2014, 07:04 PM
  #1  
1968 Cutlass Fan!
Thread Starter
 
1968CutlassSupreme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Weaverville, NC
Posts: 242
Shifter change from 2 speed to 3 speed

Hello All!

I am curious if someone here in the transmission section could guide me in understanding how to change the column shifter from PRNDL to PRNDL2L1, as well as if there is anything that needs to change at the transmission to make the transition complete.

Thanks in advance!

Bryon
1968CutlassSupreme is offline  
Old July 30th, 2014, 07:26 PM
  #2  
Administrator
 
oldcutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,622
Are you wanting to change the indicator placard or just make the linkage work?
oldcutlass is online now  
Old July 31st, 2014, 02:57 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Yellowstatue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Too close to Toronto!!
Posts: 4,087
If you just want the shifter to work, just line-up PRN and the low gears will just be there but not showing. The gear lever will keep going down for each gear as you select it. If you just leave it in 'Dr' the rest won't matter.
Yellowstatue is offline  
Old July 31st, 2014, 05:36 AM
  #4  
Registered User
 
JohnnyBs68S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ft. Wayne, IN
Posts: 1,203
Your column shifter and stock linkage should be OK w/ a 3-sp trans, I believe the sweep angle of the shift control shaft on the trans is the same (or close enough) between the Jetaway and TH350/TH400. If you were going to an OD 4-sp trans like a 200-4R, you'll probably need one of these:

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/zenca...c371d40277e8a7

This allows you to change the ratio between the column lever and the trans shift control shaft, which operates through a larger angle/sweep than a Jetaway.

If you find a source for parts to change the dash indicator from PRNDL to anything else on your '68, please post up. I've only been able to find revised indicators for Chevys (Novas / Camaro / Chevelle), which won't work in a Cutlass.
JohnnyBs68S is online now  
Old July 31st, 2014, 09:49 AM
  #5  
Oldsdruid
 
rocketraider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,305
PRNDL2L1
Chevrolet and Buick heresy!

Airboddy knows Olds and Pontiac 3-speed automatics say "DSL"! SOOPER range, hell yeah!

I'm drawing a brainfart- is the 68 shift quadrant in the speedometer as later or is it in dash below speedo like the big cars were? If it's in the speedo, should be able to find a THM car speedometer face. Bound to think some THM A-body cars could supply a shift indicator lens. Most Vista Cruisers had THM.
rocketraider is offline  
Old July 31st, 2014, 11:47 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
JohnnyBs68S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ft. Wayne, IN
Posts: 1,203
Originally Posted by rocketraider
Chevrolet and Buick heresy!

Airboddy knows Olds and Pontiac 3-speed automatics say "DSL"! SOOPER range, hell yeah!

I'm drawing a brainfart- is the 68 shift quadrant in the speedometer as later or is it in dash below speedo like the big cars were? If it's in the speedo, should be able to find a THM car speedometer face. Bound to think some THM A-body cars could supply a shift indicator lens. Most Vista Cruisers had THM.
Its at the bottom of the speedo face. Didn't think about a boneyard face from a car w/ a A3, that would work. Nobody is repro-ing those though (that I could find). Myself I need one for an A4 (200-4R), or P-R-N-(D)-D-S-L (I'd settle for a P-R-N-(D)-D-2-1) Won't find that in a boneyard.
JohnnyBs68S is online now  
Old July 31st, 2014, 04:53 PM
  #7  
1968 Cutlass Fan!
Thread Starter
 
1968CutlassSupreme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Weaverville, NC
Posts: 242
Thanks everyone!

oldcutlass, I am looking to do both, if I can.
1968CutlassSupreme is offline  
Old July 31st, 2014, 05:00 PM
  #8  
Administrator
 
oldcutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,622
The swap is a matter of setting the shifter up from park. The indicator is going to require you finding one for a T400 which was available in 68.
oldcutlass is online now  
Old July 31st, 2014, 06:10 PM
  #9  
1968 Cutlass Fan!
Thread Starter
 
1968CutlassSupreme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Weaverville, NC
Posts: 242
Originally Posted by oldcutlass
The swap is a matter of setting the shifter up from park. The indicator is going to require you finding one for a T400 which was available in 68.
oldcutlass, would finding one for a TH400 mean some junk yard surfing? Or, is there a place that sells that kind of stuff?
1968CutlassSupreme is offline  
Old July 31st, 2014, 07:23 PM
  #10  
Administrator
 
oldcutlass's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,622
After looking for a bit, the automatic speedometer seems only available for a 2 speed trans and the 3 speed seems to be floor shift only. Maybe some of the other guys may know if it was floor shift only.

If you hook up your linkage it will work properly showing 1st at the L, 2nd will be just to the left, and D will be a little to the left of drive, neutral will be close to the N and R and Park will be lined up. I use the 2 speed indicator with my T400.
oldcutlass is online now  
Old August 1st, 2014, 03:11 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Yellowstatue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Too close to Toronto!!
Posts: 4,087
'68 column shift 442's and Vistas w/400 had the PRN DSL.
Yellowstatue is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
marxjunk
Parts For Sale
0
June 12th, 2014 12:34 PM
69CutlassAlex
General Discussion
10
February 9th, 2012 05:26 AM
dre
Drivetrain/Differentials
3
August 31st, 2011 11:04 AM
olds4life
Parts Wanted
2
February 27th, 2009 08:54 PM



Quick Reply: Shifter change from 2 speed to 3 speed



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:53 AM.