[MDSHARK81]

I am Finally getting my 71 Trans am back together. It's a 4 speed car, and when I got it, the back lock system was gone. Fairly common I understand. I see that Ames has most of the (repop) components needed to get the system installed and working in the car. Does anyone have pictures of their 4 speed Muncie cars with this system installed. I need to get an understanding of how it works and exactly what I'm missing and need to find and install. Thanks All !!!

[unruhjonny]

I will look, but I don't believe I have any good pictures.

It's all exactly the same as any 1970-1974.5 Firebird or Camaro with a Muncie four speed.

I know that there are threads with people looking for parts, and pictures over on 'nastyz28' - I was able to confirm via discussions over there what reverse lockout rods I have.

[AG]

I have a back lock system from a 1971 TA 4 speed. I'll take pics and post by tomorrow.

['ol Pinion head]

Worth checking the STICKY threads in this section for prev posted pics.
At least 3 PY members have extensive threads on their '71 & 72 4 speed T/A restorations.

[AG]

Here are pics of mine. I took it off a 1971 TA.

[hiyabradHO]

Can someone please explain what the back lock system does?

['ol Pinion head]

The existence of, as well as the proper adjustment of, the back drive linkage allow the backup light switch to be activated when the transmission is in reverse. Back up light switches began being installed on the columns of '69 & later manual transmission cars, '68 on automatic trans (non GTO) A-body's. Manual trans cars used the smaller backup light switch down low on the column.

[nas t eh]

The other purpose is to lock the car in Reverse before being able to remove the key from the steering column

[MDSHARK81]

Does anyone have this system installed and working in their 4 speed cars???

[MDSHARK81]

Wow, I can't believe that no one has this system installed and working in their 4-speed cars. Is it that much of a pain to use?

[nas t eh]

I have headers on mine, not very compatable. Future low priority project to modify linkage to work..

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by MDSHARK81

Does anyone have this system installed and working in their 4 speed cars???

I do. It works good. Makes the reverse lights turn on, and makes it so you can't get the key out unless the car is in reverse. Works flawlessly. It's pretty cool to have everything working.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by MDSHARK81

Wow, I can't believe that no one has this system installed and working in their 4-speed cars. Is it that much of a pain to use?

I think you're quite mistaken.

OPH posted (post #4) rightly that there are stickied threads where these images can be found.

You are asking for someone to crawl under their car and take pictures of something for you when the same type of image can already be found here (and elsewhere).

[starlightblack]

image

[MDSHARK81]

My intent was NOT to inconvenience anyone. My expectation was that many here like me have a digital library of their cars restoration stored on flash or hard drives, which can be accessed while on the forum.

Thank you Starlight for the exploded diagram I will consult it when replacing my back lock system.

I also enjoy having every system installed and working as intended on my cars. I thought this topic was an interesting quirk of these cars to discuss.

[eaglesan13]

Does this help?

Picture 1 shows the inside of the driver side frame rail where the pivot attaches with three screws/bolts.

Picture 2 is of the pivot.

Picture three shows the pivot in place.

Picture 4 shows the back drive rod from the shifter to the pivot. (FYI, the backdrive rod goes into the bottom hole of the shifter's reverse rod).

Picture 5 is just another angle of the back drive rod.

[eaglesan13]

Here are some more pictures.

Picture 1 is of the aftermarket back drive setup which is available from our host (Ames Performance). Their part number is FR685B. You might also need an "Upper Steering Column Lock Rod Swivel Assembly" to attach the rod that goes up to the steering column. The Ames part number is FR683K.

Picture 2 and 3 are of an aftermarket back drive rod sitting next to an original rod. The ends are different (aftermarket rod has a shoulder on it), but functionally they are the same. The aftermarket rod is the same length and has the correct bend, so it will work just fine.

[MDSHARK81]

The first group of pics were the money! Where the pivot attaches to the frame rail, and the tip using the bottom reverse rod hole. Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words. Really helpful. Thanks!