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1989 K5 - Gradual Learning

First 4x4 - learning basic maintenance / upkeep and maybe some small mods.
Overview Gallery Discussion
Bent77 said:
Did everything run clean this weekend?
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Yeah, thank you for asking. I was tremendously surprised and relieved. It ran like a champ during the entire trail run.

The morning before we set off to meet in Rollinsville, I read the codes. 32 and 43 were back again. I warned my friends that we might have issues during the trail run, but we didn't end up having any issues. The check engine light stayed off until we were on the drive home. I have yet to read the codes again.

One thing that I've been searching for on CK5 is info on the transmission jumping out of first gear on its own. When in 4-low and going downhill, I had to physically hold the shift lever in first to prevent it from popping up into second. I was chatting with @mrk5 about it and have searched for info on CK5 with no success. I'm probably just searching the wrong terms. The closest I got was this old thread (https://ck5.com/forums/threads/700r4-with-a-3-speed-shifter.321079/) where @Blue85 says, "Keep in mind that at high enough RPM, the 700 will still upshift, unless it's had valvetrain modifications."
 
Unfortunately, I don't know. I don't think I have a tachometer. It was a fairly steep descent, I was in 4-low and first gear, and we were probably going downhill at about 2-5 MPH. I was trying to go as slowly as I could.

EDIT: I found a thread on another forum that has decent info here (https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/transmissions-drivetrain/582306-700r4-shifting-out-first.html). A guy on there mentions, "All stock 700R4's will come out of 1st at some rpm if held 1st gear long enough. Some earlier than others. The TransGo 700-2-3 Performance Shift kit will hold 1st gear to any rpm. I carry the modified version of the TransGo Performance Shift kit. Make sure the TV cable is tight at WOT. This can effect the ability to hold off the 1-2 shift when in manual low."

So, I think I'm going to do some research on checking my TV cable.
 
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shima said:
When in 4-low and going downhill, I had to physically hold the shift lever in first to prevent it from popping up into second.
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If holding the shift lever makes a difference, this is an issue with the linkage, not the transmission. If you were over-running the max RPM the transmission allowed, holding the lever would make no difference (the transmission can't physically move the manual valve) and the engine would be screaming enough you'd probably be glad it shifted.
 
I told @shima I thought I remembered that the 700r4 will upshift out of 1st on it's own from the factory. I remember buying a shift kit that would prevent this.
 
Blue85 said:
If holding the shift lever makes a difference, this is an issue with the linkage, not the transmission. If you were over-running the max RPM the transmission allowed, holding the lever would make no difference (the transmission can't physically move the manual valve) and the engine would be screaming enough you'd probably be glad it shifted.
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Sorry for this question, but does that mean even though I was forcing the shift lever to stay down, the transmission could have shifted up to second without me realizing it?
 
shima said:
Sorry for this question, but does that mean even though I was forcing the shift lever to stay down, the transmission could have shifted up to second without me realizing it?
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Yes. Just because it's called the "manual valve" doesn't mean you really have manual control of the gear. It's just the valve the driver has control of (via the shift linkage) to request a mode. It's purely an input to the transmission - there is no provision for the transmission to push it up to "2" or "3". All actual gear shifting is done by hydraulically actuated clutches and not from the shift linkage. Pressure to those clutches comes from a super-complicated series of valves and passages. Each of these valves is accounting for things like vehicle speed, throttle position, current gear, selected mode, etc. to make the actual decision. Override of your input is a form of over-rev protection for the engine. A manual valve body is a completely aftermarket product that also removes the ability to shift automatically. When swapping to one of those you will typically add rev limit to the ignition system or ECM.

So because of whatever isn't lined up right with your shift linkage or column shifter, it's able to slide up to where the manual valve sits in the "2" position, which lets the transmission upshift at reasonable/normal RPM.
 
Blue85 said:
Yes. Just because it's called the "manual valve" doesn't mean you really have manual control of the gear. It's just the valve the driver has control of (via the shift linkage) to request a mode. It's purely an input to the transmission - there is no provision for the transmission to push it up to "2" or "3". All actual gear shifting is done by hydraulically actuated clutches and not from the shift linkage. Pressure to those clutches comes from a super-complicated series of valves and passages. Each of these valves is accounting for things like vehicle speed, throttle position, current gear, selected mode, etc. to make the actual decision. Override of your input is a form of over-rev protection for the engine. A manual valve body is a completely aftermarket product that also removes the ability to shift automatically. When swapping to one of those you will typically add rev limit to the ignition system or ECM.
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Like I posted above there is a shift kit that will defeat the automatic up shift if the linkage is in 1st. It's not a manual valve body, as the transmission will still shift normally up to whatever gear you have the selector in. Had one in my 700r4 for almost a decade and always worked the way I wanted.
 
IMO you haven't truly experience automatic transmission ownership until you've installed a shift kit. :D
 
Blue85 said:
So you think your tachometer isn't accurate? Because it seems like you would notice right away whether or not there is one. :confused:
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Sorry @Blue85, this was one of those situations where I should have been confident with what I was saying but I'm still scared of making more of a fool of myself than usual. LOL

mrk5 said:
Like I posted above there is a shift kit that will defeat the automatic up shift if the linkage is in 1st. It's not a manual valve body, as the transmission will still shift normally up to whatever gear you have the selector in. Had one in my 700r4 for almost a decade and always worked the way I wanted.
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From the product page you linked: "Their performance shift kits can be installed with the transmission in the vehicle and they come with complete instructions. Some kits even include a step-by-step video to walk you through the installation process."

Might have to go for this! Almost a "why not" moment in my mind. Thanks guys.
 
The first one I ever did I was your age, probably younger. I lived in Virginia in a townhouse, and a buddy and I installed the shift kit in the driveway. It started raining about halfway thru the project. Did I mention I didn't have a creeper and this was coastal Virginia so a rain was a real serious rain. My entire back was soaked. The driveway was sloped so it was just pouring down our backs as we worked. :haha:

I bought a creeper not long after that. :D

In regard to the shift kit, I really like them. I like a nice crisp shifting automatic that snaps your head back a little when it shifts.
 
I can see how the more you wheel, the more stuff you "might as well" change... next thing I know my truck is going to be totally different! :haha:
 
shima said:
I can see how the more you wheel, the more stuff you "might as well" change... next thing I know my truck is going to be totally different! :haha:
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You’re a quick study....
 
shima said:
I can see how the more you wheel, the more stuff you "might as well" change... next thing I know my truck is going to be totally different! :haha:
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Not if you keep leaving it the same...
 
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