1987 K5 column to floor shifter question.

[tgorman11]

I searched through the archives of this forum and couldn't find an answer so I hoped it would be alright to ask this.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience in converting their Blazer from automatic column shift to floor shifter..I've already done the installation and the tricky part of it is the neutral safety feature. I've rewired the reverse lights and the orange/black wires for the ECM from the big white switch on the end of the steering column; however on this column the anti-start feature is that the key won't physically turn unless the column shifter is in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. It's no problem to leave it in PARK on the column before removing old shift lever, but now it will start in every gear.

Not a big problem for me but someday I will pass this truck on to my son-in-law and I'd hate myself if anything ever happened.

I tried splicing into the big pink ignition wire but the truck dies as soon as I take it out of PARK. I figured I'd ask if anyone had solved this dilemma before I try any more wires..by the Hayne's wiring diagram there are a few more options coming out of the ignition switch.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!!!

 

[urbex]

Depends...what shifter did you go with, and what trans are you running? Assuming it's still the stock 700R4 trans, then your experience is exactly what would be expected, as the neutral safety switch is in/on the column. So as far as the starter is concerned, regardless of what gear you've selected on the floor shifter, it still appears that you're in park based on column position. No fiddling with any of the wires are going to get around this.

Depending on what shifter you went with, there may be a NSS/reverse light switch that will bolt right on to your shifter to get around this. In my case, I'm running an Art Carr/Winters Sidewinder shifter in my K5, and could use something like this for NSS function - https://www.kartek.com/parts/winter...the-vehicle-from-starting-if-its-in-gear.html Though, I'm also running a 4L80E trans, so I would just use the factory mounted switch already on the transmission if I wanted a NSS on the truck.

Unfortunately, I don't think any of the 700R4 transmissions had factory provisions for a NSS, so if you can't resolve it with a bolt on switch, or getting creative with a DIY solution, there is also aftermarket trans mounted switches, such as this one from Painless - https://www.painlessperformance.com/wc/80175

EDIT: Just as an FYI, I'm not recommending these specific products, as I don't run them on my truck, I'm just using them as examples.

 

[tgorman11]

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[Hacknslash]

I have run into this same issue on my 89 Jimmy with a 700r4, I have just installed an Art Carr Sidewinder shifter with Kartec safety switches. I got the reverse light source from the column switch same as tgorman11 but having the same issue figuring out where to get the Neutral safety switch wires to use on the floor shifter. I have searched every thing I can think of and was thrilled to find this thread, now just hoping someone can help me out.