I just got back from a test drive.

Per suggestions here and from the bloke at GTA, I shortened the
transmission > throttle adjusting rod by about 1/2 inch to move the
kick-down switch point closer to where my fused ankle can access it.

BIG difference. Rather than having to downshift the auto trans manually
to get any pep  when hitting a hill or pulling into traffic, I can now
easily cause the trans to downshift when needed.

The van feels a whole lot peppier! My goodness.

Watching the tach, I can see that the trans is now shifting more like
I'd be shifting if I were driving a manual.

This little modification made my day!

Thanks to all for chiming in on this subject.

Question of the day: Is the kickdown switch on the side of the trans an
electrical switch, or what? How does it do what it does?

--
Rocky J Squirrel