Thread: shift kit install pics/vids

i've been searching all over this forum and the only write up on this subject appears to not work on the two computers i have access to. i have the pan off my tranny and accumulator off and now i'm stuck not really knowing how to pull the springs out of the accumulator and how to install the rest of the shift kit. any help would be appreciated. oh it should be noted my tranny is out on the floor laying so its way easier to work on.

Shift kit install, very detailed (56K go watch a movie) - LS1TECH
Trans Go Shift Kit Installed - First Impressions - LS1TECH
4T65E Do-It-Yourself Shift Kit: Instructions and Install Guide

It's really simple.. Do you have accumulator out of the trans? OR did you take the wrong bolts out and just the cover off of the accumulator?

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

Shift kit install, very detailed (56K go watch a movie) - LS1TECH
Trans Go Shift Kit Installed - First Impressions - LS1TECH
4T65E Do-It-Yourself Shift Kit: Instructions and Install Guide

It's really simple.. Do you have accumulator out of the trans? OR did you take the wrong bolts out and just the cover off of the accumulator?

thanks for the links
great help i should be able to handle it now!! i think i took the accumulator apart while in the tranny gonna have to go look quick

So I got the shift kit part done now I'm wondering if the rest of the stuff is necessary to install. Like the gasket for the 3rd gear hub and the rest of the springs and such

honestly most people just do the 1-2 and 2-3 in the accumulator. the rest is usually done during a rebuild. in fact, this kit is geared towards doing a rebuild. so i would just leave it be. and honestly if this was challenging, going any further into the trans may not be the best idea.

It wasn't challenging after I looked at those links u posted. I needed to see exactly what I was tearing apart.

yeah. honestly there was only one pic i really needed from those write ups, the one with numbered bolts. and then knowing i could just pull up on the top spring to get the piston out. reason i say that is, i tend to break things lol, so it was convenient to know yanking was okay in this instance.

Exactly. This was the first time I messed with transmission internals and I didn't wanna screw anything up being that this one has "only" 70k on it and looks to be in great condition. The most confusing thing was looking at the hub replacement stuff. Thought I had to do that to do the shift kit.
hardest part was getting the 3 tubes lined up and seated correctly. Worked probably 30 mins on that. Can't imagine how fun that is under a car lol

Hub replacement stuff??

And yeah, took me a second to get the 3 tubes correct, but it's really not that bad. Did you get my pm before you started all this?

The shaft replacement o rings or whatever its called where u gotta tear the side off if the tranny

oh you're talking about going deeper in the trans. yeah, again most don't do that. i'd stick with the accumulator part of it and roll with it. if you've been nice to your 70k mile tranny you still have lots of life left.

The tubes become quick and easy when you realize a little wiggling goes a long way. If they still fight, ensure the tubes are in the proper order.

and also, hold the accumulator down at an angle, and get them stuck in part of the way, then like Bill said you just sorta wiggle them in and move the accumulator around until you get them all the way in, and by that time you should have it pushed into place and ready to bolt down.

and did anyone else ever have a problem rounding off one of the 8mm bolts on the accumulator? One of them refused to come out upon disassembly and i guess my sockets suck. I switched to a set of craftsman and out they come.

I can see where an interior tool may cause issues. The bolts are well lubricated and in with a full 97 inch lbs.

I use and recommend only buying 6 point sockets for a reason. Only issue you'd run into is if you were looking to work on a ford driveshaft. And we be on a GM forum.

The funny thing is I even tried a wrench, using the round end, and it still slipped off. Go figure..

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

and also, hold the accumulator down at an angle, and get them stuck in part of the way, then like Bill said you just sorta wiggle them in and move the accumulator around until you get them all the way in, and by that time you should have it pushed into place and ready to bolt down.

and did anyone else ever have a problem rounding off one of the 8mm bolts on the accumulator? One of them refused to come out upon disassembly and i guess my sockets suck. I switched to a set of craftsman and out they come.

First a snap-on tried rounding 2 of them off. Switched to a craftsman socket and it worked fine. Although the snap-on was a ⅜ drive and sees alot of impact use so I'm assuming it was a little enlarged.

It's just the heads of the bolts are too dang short.

Originally Posted by brandonl2000

The funny thing is I even tried a wrench, using the round end, and it still slipped off. Go figure..

I have a set of 6 point wrenches for such occasions. Needed one, set was cheaper than two seperates, most of the time I regret wasting the space in a drawer...but once or twice a year they are awesome to have.