Practically Classics Forum

bnicho wrote:Yes, it is certainly possible the O/P has a maladjusted shifter cable. An AP auto will even pull away in "3", but very slowly.

Purely in the pursuit of knowledge that I'll never need again, are you saying that selector position "3" is third gear only (not 1-2-3 3-2-1) and hence "2" second gear only (not 1-2 2-1)?

harvey wrote: Purely in the pursuit of knowledge that I'll never need again, are you saying that selector position "3" is third gear only (not 1-2-3 3-2-1) and hence "2" second gear only (not 1-2 2-1)?

Yes, that is correct. If you select "3" the gearbox will takeoff in third gear and stay in third gear with no downshifts. Using one of these boxes manually is truly manual. It is only in "D" that the gearbox changes gears at all.

bnicho wrote:

harvey wrote: Purely in the pursuit of knowledge that I'll never need again, are you saying that selector position "3" is third gear only (not 1-2-3 3-2-1) and hence "2" second gear only (not 1-2 2-1)?

Yes, that is correct. If you select "3" the gearbox will takeoff in third gear and stay in third gear with no downshifts. Using one of these boxes manually is truly manual. It is only in "D" that the gearbox changes gears at all.

I have worked on them, but wasn't sure I remembered that. The perfect box for a pedant like me then, when I put it in "3", I expect Third!!!!!!!

Shame all auto boxes don't do that. I would love to be able to hold the car in 2nd/3rd if I wanted to. Some engine braking would be nice too

The Dolomite's Borg Warner 65 is brilliant at engine braking, like any other conventional auto it can't change up if you put it from drive down into second.
Another hot shifter that I like is - since I'm onto Triumphs now - the Hondamatic/Triomatic one. Almost as good to use as the AP 4 speed one found in BMC stuff and rather bizarrely, also in the Lancia Beta where it was treated to its own oil. The luxury of it!

None of those traditional, wet autos are a patch on DSG - and the similar units built under licence from VAG by other makers - though, it actually changes down when you lift off rather than changing up at an inappropriate time. It's also the only gearbox that actually makes sense of cruise control!

I don't know where Nissan sourced the gearbox for my Pathfinder, but I find that one excellent in automatic or "tiptronic" manual mode. If you select a gear on that it will stay in that gear until you stop. Then it will select 1st for you ready to start off again.

If that's the same one as they used in the Navaro then it's essentially a conventional auto that's simply set up well and given some hotshifting abilities like the Hondamatic and the AP, but Nissan made it so it probably won't go wrong. Most of the two pedal ones in the new cars now are automated manuals with twin clutches in the better designs such as the DSG, single clutches in Lamborghinis and other, less sophisticated things!

Yes, it would be the same as the Navara. It's the same vehicle from the front doors forward.

Hi Guys,

I just found this, however, we specialise in the AP transmission ...

One of the main issues we see a lot is people using the wrong oil !

1) Pre 79 must be 20/50
2) Post 79 must be 10/40

In other words look at your handbook and use the correct oil for your country and or area.

This will reduce the damage caused within your AP2 automatic transmission.

kmprecisioneng wrote: 1) Pre 79 must be 20/50
2) Post 79 must be 10/40

Just out of interest, was that change point at the same time as they got PARK?