Nickelplate Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 As some of you might know from my other thread, I'm replacing my old AOD with a 4r70w in my 86 Bronco. The last little thing I need to do before buttoning everything up is put a button and an indicator light somewhere to turn on and off the Overdrive. I like the idea of having at least the button on the shifter handle, but I really like my OEM chrome handle. So I have a few questions for anyone who might know: 1. Is the stock bullnose column shift handle hollow? If so, I'd mod it to put my own button and light, and run the wiring inside. 2. Does anyone have a picture of a stock bullnose handle that is not in the column so I can avoid taking that dang roll pin out to look at mine? I'd like to see if the angles and the bottom part are the same between the old ones and the newer push-button style. 3. Are the stock bullnose handles and the later OD Push button handles interchangeable? Maybe someone knows already whether or not I can just throw a new-style one in. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 I have Dad's column off and will look to see if there's a way to answer your questions when I get out to the shop. But the later trucks with an E4OD had a switch and indicator on the dash for the OD and that's what I've been planning to use. However, if the handle is hollow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 I have Dad's column off and will look to see if there's a way to answer your questions when I get out to the shop. But the later trucks with an E4OD had a switch and indicator on the dash for the OD and that's what I've been planning to use. However, if the handle is hollow... Nope, it isn't hollow, as shown below. So my plan is to use this one off of a 1990 truck: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 I like your idea of trying to mount a button in the shifter handle. That would be cool. I bought a B&M Shifter handle with a button for the exact same reason with my 4R70W swap, and the darn thing is right in a spot where my leg will be hitting it all the time! DOH. The only way to not have this happen is to turn the knob/handle on an angle and while that is fine I don't know if I can live with it like that lol. My OCD will not deal well with this. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for a solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 I like your idea of trying to mount a button in the shifter handle. That would be cool. I bought a B&M Shifter handle with a button for the exact same reason with my 4R70W swap, and the darn thing is right in a spot where my leg will be hitting it all the time! DOH. The only way to not have this happen is to turn the knob/handle on an angle and while that is fine I don't know if I can live with it like that lol. My OCD will not deal well with this. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with for a solution. I, too, want to see what you come up with. As said, my plan has been to use that switch/indicator and I have intended to put it in the "pocket" to the right of the steering column. The one where Dave stashes his garage door opener. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat in tn Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 I, too, want to see what you come up with. As said, my plan has been to use that switch/indicator and I have intended to put it in the "pocket" to the right of the steering column. The one where Dave stashes his garage door opener. having done this, I can only say "use the dash button". they have given you a gift by having done this already. locating it is the hard part as the dash was not laid out for it. but there is a place accessible right beside the wiper knob. it is not in a natural place to look but you probably won't use it that often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuzzFace2 Posted March 7, 2023 Share Posted March 7, 2023 having done this, I can only say "use the dash button". they have given you a gift by having done this already. locating it is the hard part as the dash was not laid out for it. but there is a place accessible right beside the wiper knob. it is not in a natural place to look but you probably won't use it that often. Cory If that button is what I think it would be used for I dont think it would work as it is not a on or off switch. All the ones I have seen / used are for line locks to lock the front wheel brakes for a burn out or for a transmission brake. You push the button in till ready to move and take your finger off and you can move. As said I dont know how often you would be using it? My 02 Durango has it at the end of the shift handle and the only times I would need to pull it out of over drive was pulling the car trailer and hit a pretty good hill. I could have let the transmission done it but I found the speed / power would to low by the time the trans shifted so I would pull it out when still in the power range. Not pulling the trailer I hardly ever turn it off. Dave ---- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Blue Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 Cory If that button is what I think it would be used for I dont think it would work as it is not a on or off switch. All the ones I have seen / used are for line locks to lock the front wheel brakes for a burn out or for a transmission brake. You push the button in till ready to move and take your finger off and you can move. As said I dont know how often you would be using it? My 02 Durango has it at the end of the shift handle and the only times I would need to pull it out of over drive was pulling the car trailer and hit a pretty good hill. I could have let the transmission done it but I found the speed / power would to low by the time the trans shifted so I would pull it out when still in the power range. Not pulling the trailer I hardly ever turn it off. Dave ---- This has been on my list of things to do for a number of years now and i finally dove into it a couple of weeks ago. Very simple process. Grabbed a shift arm from a '95 F150. It is very important to replicate the little half dome shapes of the '85 shifter. I simply used the ball of a PVC ball valve and modified that to work. Wish i had pics of that, but I don't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 This has been on my list of things to do for a number of years now and i finally dove into it a couple of weeks ago. Very simple process. Grabbed a shift arm from a '95 F150. It is very important to replicate the little half dome shapes of the '85 shifter. I simply used the ball of a PVC ball valve and modified that to work. Wish i had pics of that, but I don't That's cool! Well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpin Posted March 11, 2023 Share Posted March 11, 2023 This has been on my list of things to do for a number of years now and i finally dove into it a couple of weeks ago. Very simple process. Grabbed a shift arm from a '95 F150. It is very important to replicate the little half dome shapes of the '85 shifter. I simply used the ball of a PVC ball valve and modified that to work. Wish i had pics of that, but I don't I agree. That's great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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