I just really confuse has to what should be my next step am doin the swap from a th350 to a 2004r transmission on 72 Buick skylark before buying the transmission I did some research on it and I know there is some wiring to be done in order for 4th gear to lock up the only problem is that don't how exactly to do that I have an idea but don't know exactly where to beginning. the transmission is rebuilt and came with the connection on the side of the trans but not the connecter I believe that's not such a big deal because I could go to the junkyard and pick one up my main issue is that after I do have the cable then what I saw that there was a kit by Tci but was really hoping to go with the one it already has and connect it to a toggle switch like some one posted before. But after reading the post several time I still don't understand how to set up toggle switch with of course brake light switch to manually lock up 4 th gear or should I just get the Tci kit .......... can some please shine so light on this it will be greatly appreciated :shock:
Hi ! I used the lock up wiring kit from TCI. The toggle switch are a must. And i used the bracket for the TV cable from Bowtie overdrives. It is wery important to adjust the tv cable correct, if you use the parts from Bowtieoverdrives everything will be correct. http://www.tvmadeez.com/ http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml http://www.jegs.com/p/TCI/TCI-200R4-700R4-Torque-Converter-Lock-Up-Kit/748599/10002/-1
Theres lots of ways to do it. Depends on what level of sophistication you want. The TCI kit covers all the bases with auto lockup and disengage, selectable lockup etc. OR you can junkyard-dawg it and put a toggle switch in the dash that activates the soleniod. In this case you lock up and disengage the clutch only via the switch. There are also pressure switches available at PATC that screw into the valvebody. This can be used to automatically lock up in 4th gear. All around, if you want full functionality and full installation instructions, I suggest the TCI kit. It functions the way the lockup was intended to function, by design.
so you think getting the tci kit is a better choice and than having a switch that lock up a disengages the clutch honestly i saw the kit but i only want to get it only if i really have to because i really like your second option do you know how to do that type of setup, because its a cheaper way to get the same result
To lock up manually run 12V to the positive terminal on the side of the trans. Then run a wire from the neg terminal on the trans to one terminal on a normally-closed brake pedal activated switch. Now run wire from the other terminal on that brake switch to a terminal on your in-dash toggle switch. Ground the other terminal on the toggle switch. So when its all installed the function should be: it will lock up whenever you turn the toggle on, but disengage anytime the brakes are depressed. Not the best setup but it should work.
Well I did it via the toggle switch myself, and without a brake pedal switch. I dont recommend it because it may not be the safest way to go. But it did work. I just had to remember to switch the switch all the time, especially when braking. The benefit of the TCI kit is that it engages and disengages automatically at the correct times under load and braking, and you can manually override it. But I toggle switched for your exact reason. I didnt want to spend on the kit.
yea this was the exact info i was looking for because in realty the only real time i wanted to have the lock up was for the the hwy and in constant high speed so in total there are three wire which two will go to the brake switch and from the brake switch to the toggle cable thanks again for the info
I use the toggle switch style to lock up the convertor. This way I control when it gets locked up. This way I can lock it up in 3rd gear when I am driving under 50 mph. This works good on the back roads where you don't get into 4th gear. It feels like a stick shift when locked up at 40-50 mph in 3rd gear. I used a toggle switch with a light on it so I know when the lock up is on. 4 speed trans for our old cars is just a great thing. I am thinking about going to a 411 gear from my current 373 gear now.
yea i cant wait to really get her on the road i have a 3.42 gear and she works wonders and planing to use it the same way you are :laugh:
Dragging this back up as I'm just about to do this and have a couple questions. 1st, will the positive side of the trans switch be obvious when I see it? 2nd, on the brake pedal, are you taking about the brake light switch or an additional switch. If additional, where do you get a "normally closed" switch? Thanks.
Get a brake switch from almost ANY GM car that has cruise; it has both switches integrated, the NC set of terminals for the cruise; the NO set of terminals for the brakes. Just adjust to activate the brakes after pedal is pressed so far, and run a FUSED power supply to the other set of terminals with a lead coming from it to the trans connector. PLENTY of info here on V8buick. DO THE RESEARCH.
I Used The Kit From Bowtie And Couldn't Be Happier With Their Setup And Customer Service. The Only Thing I Will Add Is A Toggle Because A Lot Of The Roads Here Are 45-55 And I Don't Always Want The Lockup. Ron
I installed the tci constant pressure valve body and it came with the lock up wiring. You will need to install a two wire solenoid to get proper automatic lock/unlock functions
