The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline will not go in reverse 55 1st 4 speed 1/2 ton

So, the good news is that the frame off resto is about done. I had the 4 speed overhauled a year ago with whatever it needed at a transmission shop. Started the truck over the weekend, and it will easily shift into the four forward gears but will not shift into reverse. I tried every direction, but as I recall from childhood, reverse is to me and down. It has resistance there, it will come to me but will not even start to go down. Any ideas? I know nothing about transmissions. I suppose I can take the top off and stare at it.

There is a "tension" you have to pull against toward you then back. It keeps you from accidentally shifting into reverse instead of 2nd.

John

Right, I recall that, sort of a spring tension. I can feel that tension...but it won't allow me to pull it back into gear. Ideas?

maybe time to open it up and check for something damaged?

Bill

might turn into one of those "yep, its a transmission" moments. I don't have a clue what it is supposed to look like. Is there a picture of one somewhere I could compare it to?

the shop manual might help, or maybe you should discuss the situation with the shop that "overhauled" it

Bill

Some of the 4 speeds had a thumb/finger lever operated rod that ran down beside the shift lever into the transmission to operate a sliding sleeve on the base of the shift lever that blocked accidental access to reverse. If the rebuilder (or anyone else) left out the rod and lever but included the sleeve you would have a problem like the one described but not see an obvious solution. I'm not sure what other possible causes exist as well.

I believe the reverse lock-out lever was pre-47 non-syncro 4 speeds

Bill

Oleyeller
Bill is correct that the lock out lever would only be for an older truck. With my 50 COE, which will have the same tranny as yours, assuming yours is stock, I sometimes have to put it into neutral with the engine running, let out the clutch to get things spinning, clutch back in and then drop into reverse. From your description I think you are otherwise shifting correctly. Let us know what you find.
Kent

If you haven't tried yet, rotate the rear wheels a bit and then try. I sometimes have to do that with my 4 speed.

Is the shifter fork rod on the top cover lightly rusted from sitting?

You don't need reverse anyway, a highly overrated gear.... LOL

John

So...took the top off, basically the gears were fine. It was the slider bar in the top of the lid. It didn't want to go over quite far enough to allow reverse slider movement. So worked it a little bit, made sure everything was freed up there, works fine now. thanks.

When we picked up the 52 1/2 ton to bring it home. It was stuck in first gear. That is a lot of reduction with a 4 speed. Every one was concerned that we would not be able to move the truck. I pulled the floor pan, removed the top and with a bit of WD40 and some bumping the lever it all came free. Dropped it back on slipped into neutral and on the trailer it went. Just a little rust and it was stuck good. Glad you got it fixed.

good recovery...sometimes it is that easy