Have a line on an 85 T/A that I want to get the rear out of, but trying to verify it's a true posi (and see if I canget an idea on the gears) problem is it's been sitting in a barn for 3 years, and we don't have any keys. Other than taking the whole rear apart, what is the easiest way to unlock the tranny and get it in neutral without a key?

Really don't want to get under the car if I can help it, it's sitting on a mud floor, and I don't trust the stability of it.

Thanks

 

take the center console cover off and disconnect the shifter from the little clip thing that connects to it to keep it from moving. you'll see what im talking about when u do it.

 

If you do have to get under it, all you would have to do is disconnect the driveshaft at the pinion yoke on the rear axle... Then you don't have to worry about the transmission being in park... A 7/16" wrench, a screwdriver and 3 minutes should get it out...

 

if you dont think the car is stable to get under, this is the smarter way to do it.


there are 2 cables on the auto shifter.. you can easily see them both with the cover off.

one cable goes to the tranny to shift it. the other cable goes to the keylock. pop the clip off of that cable, and slide the cable off the shifter. it will then move regardless of key position... set the tranny into any gear besides park, and it will let you move the wheels.

when you're done, just slide the cable back on and click the clip back on.

 

Jack both rear wheels off the ground. Grab one of the wheels and try to turn it.

Turns - open.

Doesn't turn - posi.

You're going to have to jack it up to get the rear out, anyway, so you might as well figure out how to do it while figuring out whether you want it.