Denny, that certainly is a nice looking tool!
But for those of you that think you need the tool without even trying the retainer by hand first... try it by hand first.
All this talk about how difficult it is to remove this little retainer didn't sit right with me. It has been some time now that I messed with them but I don't remember it being so hard..
So just a few minutes ago I made a trip out to the shed and the back yard with flashlight in hand.
First stop was the SM420 I originaly ran in the 1 ton, found it sitting on the floor in the shed easy to get to, and very easy to remove the shifter, the retainer turned easily with only a thumb and index finger, and yes the spring is still in there.
Next stop was another SM420 still in the 1 ton, through the passenger door with flashlight in right hand it was again a simple thumb and index finger push and turn, shifter comes free.
I'm sure there are stubborn ones out there and sounds like Denny found one, but not all of these transmissions need the tool to remove the shifter.
Making special tools is fun, but using your hand is OK too (when it works that easy), always worth trying the easy way first..
Grigg
