No kick down linkage?

Will it hurt/alter the operation of a C4 if there is no kick down linkage installed (other than having to manually grab 2nd gear)

I'm talking drivability as well as longevity issues.

I've been driving mine without the kickdown rod for over 10 years now & don't have a problem with it, It even kicks down when I floor it! (the Vacuum line is still attatched)

If the C4 has the standard frictions in it, and you are using DRIVE then you need to have the kick down linkage connected.
If you want to manually shift the car or have a modified transmission then depending on the mods you can get away without the kick down linkage connected. If it wasn't necessary why would Ford spend the money to build and install it on every car that has a C4?

Originally Posted by PaulS1950

If the C4 has the standard frictions in it, and you are using DRIVE then you need to have the kick down linkage connected.
If you want to manually shift the car or have a modified transmission then depending on the mods you can get away without the kick down linkage connected. If it wasn't necessary why would Ford spend the money to build and install it on every car that has a C4?

Hi Paul. No need to get sarcastic and state the obvious. They came with it because most divers don't performance drive or manual shift their automatics. My car didn't have the kick down linkage on it when I purchased it and since I shift it manually 80% of the time anyway I've not felt motivated to install it yet. Cruising in Drive it will drop into lower gears as the speed decreases coming to a stop and up shifts pretty much normal if I just use normal amounts of throttle pulling out. The only time it doesn't downshift is when I mash the gas pedal at speed which means I'd be manual shifting anyway. I wouldn't mind having the kick down, it just doesn't seem to be that critical for my style of driving, and finding a Fox C4 kick down assembly is a bit of a hassle. I was just wondering if it can do any damage to the transmission.

PaceFever,
I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. The "kick-down" valve modifys the governor pressure and the shift valve pressures. You can do real damage driving without the linkage in place if you spend a lot of time accelerating in drive from a stop. The pressures don't rise as quickly to hold the clutches locked up. When you shift manually the pressures go to their maximums automatically. So when someone asks me if it is necessary I point out that it is for "normal" driving and that Ford wouldn't have spent the money if they could have put it in the pockets of their shareholders. I don't know how anyone here drives their cars so I put in the point that manually shifting does get rid of most of the problems that are associated with the lack of linkage.
I apologize if I ruffled feathers - that was not my intent - my memory isn't good enough to remember if someone answers a question before I get to it. I did not mean to injure you in any way - I'm just not that kind of person.

Originally Posted by PaulS1950

PaceFever,
I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. The "kick-down" valve modifys the governor pressure and the shift valve pressures. You can do real damage driving without the linkage in place if you spend a lot of time accelerating in drive from a stop. The pressures don't rise as quickly to hold the clutches locked up. When you shift manually the pressures go to their maximums automatically. So when someone asks me if it is necessary I point out that it is for "normal" driving and that Ford wouldn't have spent the money if they could have put it in the pockets of their shareholders. I don't know how anyone here drives their cars so I put in the point that manually shifting does get rid of most of the problems that are associated with the lack of linkage.
I apologize if I ruffled feathers - that was not my intent - my memory isn't good enough to remember if someone answers a question before I get to it. I did not mean to injure you in any way - I'm just not that kind of person.

No problem I appreciate your wisdom.

Originally Posted by PaulS1950

If it wasn't necessary why would Ford spend the money to build and install it on every car that has a C4?

Not entirely true. I have a C4 (1970 Maverick, code PEG-A) that came from the factory WITHOUT a kickdown lever (not even a hole for it in the manual control lever) and without provision in the case for a modulator.

Parts that are different from a normal C4: Case (not drilled for modulator), Manual control lever (no hole for kickdown lever), Valve body (not modulated and no kickdown valve), and Servo (Y code).

Weirdest C4 I have ever seen and the only one.

Wow ,very intersting Merlin..Would like to see some pics of that. I like seeing these rare ones ..

Originally Posted by gregaust

Wow ,very intersting Merlin..Would like to see some pics of that. I like seeing these rare ones ..

I don't have a place where I can get decent pics of it.

That C4 is the "semi automatic" from Ford. It was a manually shifted C4 that was offered only in 1970.
If it shifts auto then it has been modified from the original factory stuff.
There has to be one exception to every rule.