I am looking at a 1990 1ton with a CTD that is for sale. It has transmission problems. The transmission shop told me a rebuilt overdrive trans would be 1500.00. If it is not an overdrive it is 500.00. The shift indicator has 1,2,D. I am thinking if it was an overdrive there would be an O around the D on the shift indicator. Can anyone with a 1990 and an automatic overdrive tell me if I am correct? Thanks. Kirk

 

if it has overdrive, there should be an overdrive lockout switch on the dash.

 

Where is it located? I just looked at the shift indicator.

 

If I recall (I drive a handshaker) it will be located to the left and lower than the steering wheel, next to the cargo light switch.

 

Here's a pic of the OD lockout switch (above gauges, next to cargo light switch):

 

Ooh, ooh, I was right! Even a blind squirrel...

 

If it's a '90 it won't have an overdrive. '91 was the first year for the 4 speed automatic with the diesel.

 

I bought it today. Turned out to be a 1992 with an overdrive. and it pulls good with out slipping in 1st and 2nd no reverse or 3rd. I noticed the transsmision cable that hooks in near the throttle cable is pulled apart. I imagine the transmissin will have to be rebuilt but I have to wonder if the broken cable could cause it not to have reverse and 3rd. Any one know?

 

The kick down cable will need to be replaced but it won't save the tranny you have now but was probably the colperate of the failer!!!

 

The direct clutch is toast. Rebuild time.

 

Did it have overdrive? I doubt that it did. The broken cable would have caused it not to bring the line pressure up as you increased the throttle. Not enough pressure to hold the clutch in and it will slip and burn it.

Like wannadiesel said, front clutch is probably roasted.

 

I finally got a chance to check it out a little more today. It had set outside for about 1 1/2 years on a farm. When I inquired about it, I knew the reason it was sitting was because it had transmission problems. The man I bought it from didn't think it would move in any gear. Before I bought it, I wanted to hear it run. I put a battery in it and it started after about 3 - 5 second cranks. I pulled it into 1st and 2nd and could tell that it would move but I did not move it because if the man had seen where it had driven I was afraid the price would go up. After I paid him for and went to get it with a trailer, I was able to drive it up on the trailer in 1st gear. Today I checked all the fluids and drove it enough to warm the engine up to change the engine oil. It will shift through 3 gears but no reverse. There is one more forward gear there than I thought there was which makes me wonder if reverse works off the same clutch pack as some of the forward gears and could be a valve body, etc. problem. Is overdrive actually a 4th gear or is it just a convertor locking in 3rd.? When I decided to buy it I fogured on hving to have the trans rebuilt but was suprised to find 3 gears when ithought there was only 2. I did'nt notice any change punching the overdrive button. Kirk T

 

These trucks don't have lockup converters. 4th is another gear. If you plan on modifying the truck, I'd look at getting a more efficient converter and better valvebody. Some of the good ones would be DTT, Goerend, Suncoast, ATS.

 

If all 4 forward gears are working, it's the low/reverse band. Take it out and see if you have any engine braking with the shift lever in 1st gear to verify.

You might be lucky enough that the band is out of adjustment or the strut has fallen out. This gould be a pretty cheap fix.

 

If it is a 3-speed transmission (1,2,D) then you have a 727 automatic. They are tough & mine has a 166k on it, the tranmission shop guy said mine is in good shape. Probably cost $1500 to rebuild, so that is right. If it is a 4-speed (1,2,D, Overdrive switch to the lower left from the radio) then it is a 518. Been told that they are good until the overdive goes out, then you are screwed. Friend of mine had one go out in his 92' W-250, cost him $2100 & he took it out himself. Good luck