Before I tell you about this, I have to declare that I don't recommend this for people, very much like myself, who enjoy shifting manually between 3rd and 4th (O.D.) -- personally, I couldn't put up with the loss of that little button's function! I like it even more than a full shift sequence, 4-3-2-1 as found in some 700's.

That stated, however, I know that there are some folks who (1) never use that button; others who (2) seem particularly annoyed by various failures of the OD control system, including the relay, switch, solenoid, and wiring down to the tranny; and still others who are both category (1) and also (2).

For you folks, who wish their automatics were simply completely automatic, without any tendancy to fail and lose 4th (especially during this "gas crisis" time), IPD came up with a solution! I just read about this "new" product in their latest Newsletter, 18(5):20.

Ok -- here's the story: They're selling a Solenoid Bypass Plate. Product code MD7071K, $39.95. Remove the solenoid, cover the hole with this plate, and you're left with a 4-speed automatic transmission -- the 4th (OD) gear works normally, and you can dispense completely with all the other components (relay, shifter switch, wiring, etc.). Nothing left to fail, ever! IPD even wrote a comment that all those obsolete parts could total $259.

So like I wrote above, it's not for folks like me, but given how often folks ask about OD problems on this list, I thought this message would help someone -- gas is too expensive right now to be running around perpetually in 3rd.

Regards to all.