I've had my 5.0 swap done for a couple of years now. Ever since its been done I haven't been able to get my shifter to go into 1st or 2nd gear. It is an automatic by the way. It seems like the shifter on the column is bottoming out once it gets to Drive. I've tried adjusting the linkage on the trans and also by the column. I'm not sure if anyone else has had this problem ever. I've tried searching on the internet and this forum but I didn't have any luck.

 

The shifter should be adjusted in neutral by placing the shifter in neutral and the trans in neutral, then loosening the adjuster at the transmission and pushing it back in. the 4R70 may have a different amount of travel than a 5R55/44 so you may need an explorer shifter and cable? maybe rwenzing or m20lu or whatever with the yellow 302 truck will chime in

 

From everything I've read I thought you were supposed to do it in Drive? I'll have to look into it more. I was hoping rwenzing or any of the other guys that's knowledgable with the swap would see it and maybe know a little more. From what I remember I didn't have to change the cable but I know there's quite a few guys that know a lot more about it than me.

 

you're right...i just pulled up the workshop manual and it says adjust it in drive. so once you put the trans in drive (two clicks from all the way forward) and push the adjustment clip back in, then what happens? P-R-N-D work ok? but you cant shift it into 2 or 1?

 

correct. it shifts into P R N D just fine. when the linkage is disconnected on the trans i can shift it into 1st and 2nd on the trans and the shifter on the column will move from P to 1. So I know it has to be something with either the cable or the linkage on the trans more than likely. Just something isn't matching up or some reason.

 

No ideas, but my truck uses its original shifter cable and works fine with the 4r70w.
Chris

 

same here

 

I can shift into 2nd fine, but I can't get into first in mine.

 

Yea I can get it to shift into 2nd if i adjust it just right. But then all the other gears are off just a bit to were i have to find the gears. Is your guys shifter just like it was stock? and a little off topic but i love your truck interceptor.

 

Yes, my shifter still works perfectly and has no modifications from stock. Truck is a 98, trans is from 97 explorer.
Chris

 

thanks!
Yeah Mine is still the stock 02 ranger shifter, and my tranny is from a 99 mounty

 

Maybe what I'll do is go to the junk yard one these days and get the arm that connects the cable to the trans for a 5.0 explorer. they might be different sizes or something? Since everything else should be the same. I've tried looking up the part online but I'm not sure what it would even be called. I'm thinking that would be the only thing that would mess stuff up. Especially if I didn't swap it around for whatever reason. Any of you guys know what that part would be called? If you even understand what I'm trying to explain. lol

 

What did you get your transmission from? As far as I know, the only 4wd 4R70W's with the 302 bolt pattern are from the expos and mountys. If your trans did come from a different truck, that's likely your issue.

I'm assuming the part you are referring to is the shifter arm with the ball connector for the shifter cable, which is held on the trans with a nut. WARNING: make sure you hold the arm in place with a vice grip or similar while loosening and tightening the nut. It is very easy to torque the shaft inside the transmission, miss-aligning the valve for fluid flow. This will cause the trans to not work at all, or not work correctly and burn up quickly.

Chris

 

Just realized that you could also be referring to the black sheetmetal piece that holds the cable at its adjuster and bolts to the transmission case. Again, I'm sure it needs to be an exploder/mounty 5.0 part to work correctly.
Chris

 

Yea the tranny is from a 99 Explorer. I think it is the black sheet metal piece you are referring to. If I'm thinking the same way you are.