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  •  » FYI Ford, Classic Mustang Tech Discussion
  •  » Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

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    6/17/2026 3:42 PM  #1

    gkm24
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    From: Winchester, Hampshire, England
    Registered: 6/08/2013
    Posts: 131

    Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    Hi,
    Running the 302 EFI in my 66 but still using the old gear selector from the 3 speed . Is this advisable or would you recommend a different selector? I am in the UK so just getting an AOD selector isn't really an option but getting something like a B&G shifter or similar is. Any info welcome. I can use the original shifter but I keep having to adjust it as it doesn't always engage the park option at the end of its travel.

    Bullet Bob equipped car,
     

    6/17/2026 5:34 PM  #2

    GPatrick
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,155

    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    The transmission shift selector arms have different center to center distances.  A nice way to solve this other than making your own arm is this selector shaft/arm from Lokar -

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-ata-1001?srsltid=AfmBOopLt35GeHd0Vos3GGyxzYJPZVKoj-VaAhKQQo19_w3n8MPgolE8

    The ATA 1000 has a 1/4" slot versus the 5/16" with the 1001.  You can get some heim joints and threaded rod and make your own linkage from the shifter to the trans fairly easily.

    Here's a thread that has some good pics.  LINK

    Last edited by GPatrick (6/17/2026 5:38 PM)

     

    6/17/2026 11:01 PM  #3

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,776

    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    Has anyone on here done the stock C4 shifter (non green dot) mod for a 4R70W installation,  or does anyone have a link listing parts, pictures, etc for that mod? I can see that Lokar makes four different arms for the mod, but no additional information on what is needed to complete the mod. (The link that G Patrick listed is for an AOD mod - but would that also work for a 4R70W?) 

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    6/18/2026 3:15 AM  #4

    gkm24
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    From: Winchester, Hampshire, England
    Registered: 6/08/2013
    Posts: 131

    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    Thank you GPatrick for that. I am pretty sure I have a Lokar shaft/arm. Do I need to remove the Trans Pan to fit that arm?

    Bullet Bob equipped car,
       •Thread Starter
     

    6/18/2026 5:43 AM  #5

    GPatrick
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    Yes, the pan has to be pulled but it is worth the effort to get a good workable solution.  When have the pan off, it is a great time to fit a drain plug in the pan.  If you keep your drain pan clean you can re-use the oil you drain out.

     

    6/19/2026 3:05 AM  #6

    gkm24
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    From: Winchester, Hampshire, England
    Registered: 6/08/2013
    Posts: 131

    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    Yes , great idea which I was thinking of and putting a small magnet in there too to catch any filings.
    Thanks for the reply.

    Bullet Bob equipped car,
       •Thread Starter
     

    6/19/2026 7:01 AM  #7

    GPatrick
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    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    A factory AOD should have a fairly large magnet on the pan.  Looks like a doughnut.  I'll see if I can find a link for the drain plug my friend uses on all of his AOD and 4R builds.  One hole and some tack welds to hold the nut on the inside.  The plug has a nice seal

    Ron, the mods for the 4R70W and the AOD are the same.  Of the Lokar arms, the 4R is a solid shaft since the TV is not used.  The two variants for the 4R are for a 1/4" versus 5/16" slot.  I'm using the 4R version on a column shift in a 46 Ford with a GM style aftermarket column,  Setup is a breeze with the slot to get the right lever arm length.

    Last edited by GPatrick (6/19/2026 7:07 AM)

     

    6/19/2026 3:59 PM  #8

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,776

    Re: Can the original gear selector be used on AOD upgrade

    GPatrick wrote:

    A factory AOD should have a fairly large magnet on the pan.  Looks like a doughnut.  I'll see if I can find a link for the drain plug my friend uses on all of his AOD and 4R builds.  One hole and some tack welds to hold the nut on the inside.  The plug has a nice seal

    Ron, the mods for the 4R70W and the AOD are the same.  Of the Lokar arms, the 4R is a solid shaft since the TV is not used.  The two variants for the 4R are for a 1/4" versus 5/16" slot.  I'm using the 4R version on a column shift in a 46 Ford with a GM style aftermarket column,  Setup is a breeze with the slot to get the right lever arm length.

    Thanks much for the information. Now I regret selling my shifter from my C4.... Guess I'll have to get busy finding another one. This is now on my to do list - but not right now. 
     

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

     

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