My truck is a 93 with an automatic

What trans does it have?

There is no O/D button on the dash like everyone elses trucks have. My little panel is blank where the switch would be. No holes at all.

Also, my indicator says " D 2 1" on it.

 

Should have an A518 4 speed auto w/ overdrive. Unless someone converted it to an auto from a 5-speed or someone has changed the dash to an early one or one from a 5-speed truck.

 

how mant gears u got?

 

2stroke, I think it must be an overdrive for sure. The truck has 3.54 gears and it runs 70 miles per hour way too easy to not be overdrive. I can't really even count the shifts as it accelerates. Sounds like 4 gears though.

The trans sucks. I pulled with it yesterday and I can tell the converter is absolutely killing the drivability. Upgrades or repairs commence real soon.

 

yup, I loved my old 91, but I HATED the tranny in it!

converter and VB will go a LONG way in that thing

 

If you really want an O/D switch you can add a shift lever from a 2nd Gen that has the switch in the tip. Much easier to use, easy to add, and only runs around $50. That's assuming you do have the A518. There should be some wires "somewhere" for cutting out the O/D.

 

Tuckerdee, I just traded for a 92' and would like to make the swap you're talking about. I was wondering if the wires for the OD switch run inside the column or did you run them on the outside? Thanks.

 

The new lever comes with switch and attached wires. I ran them down the column and attached them to the leads on the dash switch. Easy-peasy. I followed these instructions to the T (compliments of user Den) and it worked great:

PART I -

Fellow dieselheads - I've put together the steps for the o/d column lever install, including some tips to ensure nothing shatters in the process!

This is the instruction 'manual' for converting your factory automatic column-mounted gear lever handle to accept the 2nd-gen overdrive lever. This conversion moves the operation of the o/d on-off switch (mounted on the front face of the first gen dash) up to the tip of your auto shift lever. You'll love it, and it takes about 1/2 hour to install.

Mopar Part number: 1-04690522AB. Cost is about $45 from any dealer.

Switch Operation:
In short, there are a bunch of wires on the back of the original switch - one of them is Orange/White stripe - This is the 'trigger wire'. The new lever only has two wires - one to the trigger and one to ground. If you use one of those little blue splice connectors you can tap one of the wires from the new lever (either one) right into the original orange/white wire, and then ground the other wire from the new lever to anywhere on the back of the dash. Be sure to use a small star washer to get a good connection. Game-set-match. Both switches will trigger the o/d, either to on or off depending on what it is curently in, and will also light up the original o/d switch light on the dash. Works great and you get to keep the 'indicator', only you won't have to search for the button!

Column covers:
You will need a small torx bit. When you take apart the plastic covers from your steering column, be VERY CAREFUL not to shatter or crack the plastic. It's real old and real fragile. It doesn't come apart easily, take your time and 'work' it back and forth, applying pressure to separate them. They'll come eventually, but some of the ones that have never been apart are real buggers because two spots are 'pressed' together, much like a tight locating pin on a bellhousing.

Removing the factory lever:
DO NOT REMOVE THE ROLL PIN WITH A HAMMER AND TAP! Use a big set of channel lok pliers to 'squeeze' out the roll pin on the lever itself where it is seated into the column. Put one side of the pliers on the end of the pin sticking out of the bottom, and the other end on the opposite side of the pin but not actually on the pin - slightly off centered. This will not stress the aluminum and will use the housing to counter the force of budging the pin loose. It's tight, but you don't want to use a hammer and punch to initially budge it. Once it is loose (about a 1/4 inch) NOW you can use the punch to lightly tap out the pin. One good smack is better than several little ones. The column doesn't look killer strong, but it'll take a bunch of abuse. Remove the lever, and be sure to note how the little return spring is aligned at the base of the lever. You will want to place the new lever in exactly the same location.

Installing the new o/d lever:
The new lever hooks right in place of the old one. Take note of the position of the original lever in relation to the little return spring (when you pull back on the lever to go into gear it automatically returns to the rearward position via this spring - you'll see it). Once you get the lever to where it looks like it's in, it really isn't. The return spring will be on the back side of the tip of the lever. You'll have to 'convince' it to go in, and when it does you'll know it. Once in place reinstall the roll pin, pointy end down, and squeeze it back in its seat with the channel loc's again.

PART II -

Wiring:
Cut the end plug off of the new lever wires and 'peel' the two wires apart leaving about 4" worth of single wire each. They're really thin, but my truck hasn't burned down yet so I guess it's 'ok'. Pastor Bob, Mark, yer's still in one piece? Anyway, find the orange/white stripe 'feed' wire on the original switch and 'splice' it into either of the new lever wires. The little blue plastic splice connectors work best. You will typically have to add a 6" length wire to the new trigger and ground wires to make the swap have plenty of slack. Slack is good - you can always zip tie it up if you have too much. Now attach the other new wire to ground somewhere most convenient on the inside of your dash. Once you have the wiring hooked up, turn your key to run, not start, and hit the switch. Since our rigs default the o/d operation to 'on', when you hit the switch the [o/d-off] light should illuminate. If the [o/d off] light doesn't come on and the [cargo] light does, go get a beer and try again 'cause ya gots yer wiring a bit jacked up. If the [o/d-off] light comes on, go get two beers and celebrate your wiring prowess! Once celebrations and high-5's are complete, go ahead and put the column back together. If no one is there to celebrate with you, just high-5 yerself on the forehead.

Reassembly of the column covers:
Put the covers back together in reverse order of dissassembly. You might want to slightly hog out the centering hole for the alignment pins - they'll just make you mad again if you ever have to remove them again (I found out some kewl stuff about 2nd gen column pods, so stay tuned about these little plastic covers). DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE SCREWS - they strip easily.

Driving:
Like I need to explain this part. Yer rig will 'feel' like a new one now - Hey, at least it's a Mopar lever that you installed!

 

WOW! Thanks for all the info. I think this is going to happen soon. I went from a 99' to a 92' and I can't find the switch for nothing.

 

No problem. I know the feeling. There were lots of times that I was searching for the switch to try and shift down on a down-grade. Weaving all over the road, poking randomly with my fingers on the dash, finally looking and seeing that I was no where to even close to the switch, then looking up up and finding I was headed straight for a bridge abuttment! Not too many times doing that and it was easy to convince the wife that I needed to spend those $$!

 

The A518 has a planatary overdrive between the tail piece and the transmission. The 727 does not.

 

It has an overdrive, I'm sure of that. The trans has a large extension on the back of it, behind the crossmemer. Plus, the truck will go 83 miler per hour, and with 3.54 gears, I'm pretty sure it would have to be overdriven to do that.

Would someone please look at their truck and tell me what color the wires are that go the the switch and where they come from? I need to crawl under there and figure out what I have to work with. Maybe someone has simply swapped the dash and left the wires unplugged. I dunno.

 

TXF, no 2nd gen lever with OD on off switch? Maybe a previous owner swapped in one.

 

The switch doesn't "control" the OD. It's just a momentary pushbutton with a lamp. It lets the PCM know what you'd like and the PCM controls the OD.

The wire to the switch is black with an orange stripe. Ground it momentarily and the PCM will sense that you have requested a change in OD status.

 

All right, I went out there and rooted around under the dash. I found the plug that is supposed to go to the switch. It even has a nice factory label on it that says "OD switch". No switch anywhere though. I guess I'll have to hit the dealer or junkyard and find the switch I need. There's also a labeled "Cargo light" plug under there too. It's not hooked to anything either.