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Manual Valve body

kgblazerfive

kgblazerfive

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So my question is if I put one in my TH400 will it stay in what ever gear I put it in or will it down shift when I slow down?

The issue I am having is sometimes when I am running a trail 2nd gear works fine. But when I put it in 2nd it will down shift to first. Then jump into second when the RPM go up. Which doesn't seem like a big deal until it lurches you over some rock or some thing.
 
A true manual valve body will lock it in each gear you select.
It won't upshift or down shift auto at all, YOU have to select each gear, all the time.
There are some newer models out that allow you to switch back and forth, but not for T400 AFAIK.
 
It will stay in the gear you put it in. I have one in my 400, I did the reverse manual and an Art Carr shifter so if you need to you just switch gears on the fly. I also like the engine braking it provides for downhills, more like compression braking on a true standard tranny.
 
Note that not all manual valve bodies have compression braking on 1st & 2nd gear. For a wheeler I'd say this is a "must have".
 
Pretty much what everyone said. I have a rmvb with compression braking and it's great
 
Dumb question: why not just get a manual? I suppose it's stall proof, and no clutching? I'd want to be able to go back to full auto for the trip home... :D
 
GM used to offer "His & Hers" shifters for the TH400 that allowed you to choose between manual shifting only and automatic,on some of the cars like the GTO's..not sure if any aftermarket ones with that capeability exist..

A friend of mine installed a manual valve body on a TH400--thought it was pretty cool to be able to start off in second or third gear from a standstill in icy conditions..his wife never got used to driving the truck though,and she'd leave it in third at a stoplight..the converter took a beating when she drove it!..one day she was driving it,she called him on her cell phone and said "its not shifting,it feels like its stuck in high gear!"... he yelled at her to "downshift it"--she did,and left it in first gear for 6 miles,then called to tell him "it wont go over 40 mph now!"..:doah:
 
agree with what has been said, especially the engine braking is a must....Reverse pattern is a nice option to have if your in rocks alot (like you are)...sand or mud its not needed so much, but if your about to go over backwards it would be a good option to have!

I prefer auto's for running sand or mud, when a shift has to be made on the fly to not lose momentum....I think an auto truck is more controllable as well, foot brake, throttle input makes for smooth climbing.
 
Not sure what has been done to mine because it has some serious engine braking as in I has to give it gas in low gear to get down some of the hills

I will do some looking at valve bodies then. Have to see if they offer a different pattern for a Mega shifter or a Pro Stick both of which I have.
 
Mastiff said:
Dumb question: why not just get a manual? I suppose it's stall proof, and no clutching? I'd want to be able to go back to full auto for the trip home... :D
Click to expand...


The trip home is on a trailer, not interested in doing a stick swap at all.
 
kgblazerfive said:
Not sure what has been done to mine because it has some serious engine braking as in I has to give it gas in low gear to get down some of the hills

I will do some looking at valve bodies then. Have to see if they offer a different pattern for a Mega shifter or a Pro Stick both of which I have.
Click to expand...
I would recommend using an Art Carr or Winters performance gate-style shifter when you swap out the valve body. My first run was with a B&M quicksilver shifter and it was quite annoying. I just didn't care for the reverse lockout. Then again my wheeling is a little different than yours. I have to use reverse alot when im trying to fit between trees in the woods
 
diesel4me said:
GM used to offer "His & Hers" shifters for the TH400 that allowed you to choose between manual shifting only and automatic,on some of the cars like the GTO's..not sure if any aftermarket ones with that capeability exist..

A friend of mine installed a manual valve body on a TH400--thought it was pretty cool to be able to start off in second or third gear from a standstill in icy conditions..his wife never got used to driving the truck though,and she'd leave it in third at a stoplight..the converter took a beating when she drove it!..one day she was driving it,she called him on her cell phone and said "its not shifting,it feels like its stuck in high gear!"... he yelled at her to "downshift it"--she did,and left it in first gear for 6 miles,then called to tell him "it wont go over 40 mph now!"..:doah:
Click to expand...


And that is why his and hers cars are very important. Some women (men too, just to be fair) completely trash cars not because they hot-rod them, but because of lack of caring, and lack of mechanical understanding. That is why you see cars used as trash repositories, maintenance isn't done unless a light comes on, etc etc.
 
muddermilitia said:
I would recommend using an Art Carr or Winters performance gate-style shifter when you swap out the valve body. My first run was with a B&M quicksilver shifter and it was quite annoying. I just didn't care for the reverse lockout. Then again my wheeling is a little different than yours. I have to use reverse alot when im trying to fit between trees in the woods
Click to expand...


AGREED, reverse lockout only has a use at the dragstrip....using two hands to find reverse can be hazardous!
 
I used a B&M pro stick on my RMVB and I loved it. While installed the reverse pattern gate I ground off the stop for the reverse lock out. I still had to squeeze the trigger but no longer had to pull up on the "R" to get in to reverse
 
It is easy to modify the valve body to make it a "Semi-Automatic". In doing so, the trans will automatically shift up and down through the gears when left in drive, but you can manually select first or second gear and it will hold this gear until you move the lever. If you are handy, the TransGo 400-2 kit will accomplish this.
 
Hmm price seems alot better, not reverse though so not sure. Really would like the reverse part and the ability to get into reverse fast.
 
TCI makes the RMVB with engine braking! I just put one in my fresh case 400
 
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