I could have sworn once, a few years ago, that I had read where a guy modified the transmission control module, and used a 4 position rotary switch to convert his automatic transmission to a manual, with a flip switch to lock/unlock the convertor.

Does anybody know the article/tranmission model I speak of?

Anywho, I was thinking. 4th gear has an on/off switch on the shift lever, so 4th gear is obviously electronically controlled. I know the convertor locks up electronically, right after shifting into 3rd on my truck.

I'm guessing that there is still a physical link from the shifter down to the trans. But am I thinking correct, that you could splice a switch into the convertor lockup circuit to lock/unlock it whenever you wanted? What about electronically tricking it into the 1st and 2nd lock gears?

The general thought process, other than being able screw with the electronics, is that It's hard to be confident in the column shifter- If i go to manually shift it (ie towing) to keep the RPM's around 2500-3000 RPM, there's no solid "click"- I skip right over 2nd to drive because there's nothing to really grab it. And being able to lock the convertor in 2nd gear might have it's advantages?

Just thinking out loud.