A-833 4 speed linkage questions

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74dustertwister

74dustertwister

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Tulsa, ok
I recently replaced my 727 with an A-833 4 speed in my 74 duster. I bought just about the entire set up from a friend down here in Oklahoma, and much of what i got i could use. However, i came to realize that there was no possible way i could ever use the linkages i got. They looked like someone dragged them behind a truck for a few miles. They were curved all over, they were definitly either heavily modified or just completely not real linkages. So at this point, im wanting to get new linkage rods. I have a great hurst shifter that i can use, so im hoping i won't have to buy a whole shifter set. I am 18 years old and with college around the corner, id like to do this without breaking the bank. Any suggestions concerning what i should do? Are there any aftermarket rod sets out there less than 200 dollars? Any opinions or suggestions would be much appreciated
 
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And now you know the price of what it would cost Plus shipping! To buy them brand new. I'm sure there's someone out here who has an extra set they could sell you at a reasonably discounted price. Put an ad in The Wanted are the parts section here on the Forum that helped too. Then maybe you could just get away with what they call a linkage tune-up kit just making sure all those components are nice and tight at both ends of the rod any slack you can keep out of that the better. I've seen the Hurst linkage tune up kits at the local Part stores. It just has the little pins and grommets at the ends of the linkage to make sure they're nice and tight.
 
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Got mine brand new on eBay for I want to say a little over $100. Check Vans auto or Megaparts both here in Wisconsin, they'll have them.

Jeff
 
I checked out brewers, pretty impressive. I might end up getting a new Z bar from them too. I actually have a tune up kit i recently bought, but the rods are almost completely unusable. I wish i had a picture, the 1st and 2nd gear rod is just a disaster. If i don't end up ordering a rod set from brewers, ill definitly post a "wanted" ad. Crazy how expensive it can be restoring these things. Thank you all very much, i feel confident that i have a good amount of information now too make a decision.
 
Build your own.....you get the cost savings, satisfaction and better than factory shifter performance.

shift rods 2.jpg


shift rods 1.jpg


4 spd installed 005.jpg
 
Wow, those are beautiful! I thought about attempting something like that, but i lack the sort of machinery that might require. I bet those shifts feel amazing, if you ever make another set, i might have a few friends down here in oklahoma that might be interested.
 
No reverse? Looks like a linkage missing? Very nice fab work:thumbsup:
 
You will notice that I had to add a bend to the 1-2 rod to clear the crossmember, and yes the reverse rod can be seen in the installed pic. I didn't see the need to make a fancy reverse rod, it is stock.

Anyone with a bench vise and hand drill can make these with some patience. You can buy mild steel rod at most hardware stores, source the rod end bearings from somewhere (I used removed helicopter parts but you could likely find some online or at harbour freight). Cut the rod with a hacksaw, buy some threaded rod, drill and tap the rods, add threaded rod extensions and rod ends and voila.
 
Go to Ace Hardware back in the nuts and bolts section that should have about 2 isles. Open and close every door in there and you'll find everything you need just have some imagination and couple things together. My -2
 
My 4-speed came with shift left Levers. I originally had to weld in and re tap them to make them nice and tight. But when I rebuilt my 4-speed last year I ordered brand new ones and brand new shifter levers internally to make everything nice and tight.
 
macdrew77 said:
Did you make your own shift levers? Or bought those and made the rest?
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Shift levers are factory.....but check the slot that fits over the shift fork stud on the side of the transmission. They wear in the slot. You may need to weld them up and file fit them to fit in order to remove any play. I had to ad the spacer block shown in the picture to the forward one to keep the rods aligned. The rest is custom built.
 
Very happy with these brewers linkages, they look great and seem like they'll function nice and tight. Here's a picture of the old ones, and a picture of the new linkages. Thank you to everyone for your advice! It was much appreciated. I'll come back to this article if i experience any further complications.

20170315_154522.jpg
 
j par said:
So what did we learn here..?
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If at all possible, do it yourself. But that can be kindof intimidating when you're not even old enough you buy yourself a beer and dont have a welder or other type of fabrication machinery:D hmm, I'll have to think about what else
 
Regardless of age we all started somewhere. My cheap Harbor Freight welder didn't cost as much as that linkage from Brewers. Don't use your age as a crutch, use it to your advantage. I.E. you have time! To figure things out. I couldn't afford new. Look on Craigslist swapmeets parts for sale on this forum put an ad in parts needed on this forum I.E. have some patience young grasshopper....

you asked for help and I tried to give budget minded answers, but that usually takes more time. You can always dial up the internet and slapped your credit card down and buy stuff. You're kind of missing the point of the hobby a little bit doing that though. But in the end if you can take a 727 out and replace it with this a833 I'm sure you can figure some stuff out....
74dustertwister said:
If at all possible, do it yourself. But that can be kindof intimidating when you're not even old enough you buy yourself a beer and dont have a welder or other type of fabrication machinery:D hmm, I'll have to think about what else
Click to expand...
 
j par said:
Regardless of age we all started somewhere. My cheap Harbor Freight welder didn't cost as much as that linkage from Brewers. Don't use your age as a crutch, use it to your advantage. I.E. you have time! To figure things out. I couldn't afford new. Look on Craigslist swapmeets parts for sale on this forum put an ad in parts needed on this forum I.E. have some patience young grasshopper....

you asked for help and I tried to give budget minded answers, but that usually takes more time. You can always dial up the internet and slapped your credit card down and buy stuff. You're kind of missing the point of the hobby a little bit doing that though. But in the end if you can take a 727 out and replace it with this a833 I'm sure you can figure some stuff out....
Click to expand...
I just remember how many times I've been ignored by people/businesses when i have come to them with my business. I went to a transmission shop here in tulsa, OK to see if he could do that transmission swap for me. I walked into the place and the guy ignored me for the entire time. Perhaps he figured i didn't know what i was doing or didn't have the money. I ended up doing the swap myself, and I'm glad i did, i do it all myself these days. I apologize, im just not used to people actually taking me seriously. And really? They have a welder at harbor freight for less than 200? I'm about to go get one right now!
 
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