Transmission Shifts Too Soon

[Dieseltruckin2001]

I just bought this 1985 short wide with 38" swampers and a swapped in 350. I'm not a tranny guy so bear with me. I've been told it has a turbo 400 by a couple different people. I have no idea if that is the original tranny or not. Anyway, my problem is that it shifts way too soon. I can not get any RPM's built up, even if I try to hold it in first or second, it just shifts out. I don't have a tach so I don't know what RPM it reaches, but I know that it is low. Put it in neutral and the engine will rev just fine. Also, when I floor it, it will not shift down. I have to pull it down manually. Is there anything that I could check myself before taking it to a transmission shop? Any tips would be great. Thanks ahead of time.

[Mike G]

I do not beleive it should shift out when you keep the gear selector in 1st or 2nd. There is a place on here to search for that will give you a picture of the trans pan to help you identify the tranny. To be honest, I don't think it's a TH400. I do not recall if the older trannys had a kick-down lever, but you may be missing that to help you shift down. Find a local custom trans shop and go pick the guys brain there..

--Mike

[Zembonez]

Sounds like the kick down is not working to me.