diff --git a/direct/src/extensions/OdeJoint-extensions.py b/direct/src/extensions/OdeJoint-extensions.py
index 1befcbddb7..3e3eeccfc8 100755
--- a/direct/src/extensions/OdeJoint-extensions.py
+++ b/direct/src/extensions/OdeJoint-extensions.py
@@ -9,3 +9,31 @@ def attach(self, body1, body2):
         self.attachBody(body1, 0)
     elif not body1 and body2:
         self.attachBody(body2, 1)
+
+def convert(self):
+    """
+    Do a sort of pseudo-downcast on this joint in 
+    order to expose its specialized functions.
+    """
+    if self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTBall:
+        return self.convertToBall()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTHinge:
+        return self.convertToHinge()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTSlider:
+        return self.convertToSlider()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTContact:
+        return self.convertToContact()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTUniversal:
+        return self.convertToUniversal()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTHinge2:
+        return self.convertToHinge2()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTFixed:
+        return self.convertToFixed()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTNull:
+        return self.convertToNull()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTAMotor:
+        return self.convertToAMotor()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTLMotor:
+        return self.convertToLMotor()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTPlane2d:
+        return self.convertToPlane2d()
diff --git a/direct/src/extensions_native/OdeJoint_extensions.py b/direct/src/extensions_native/OdeJoint_extensions.py
index 2d247554dd..b49eeee8a5 100755
--- a/direct/src/extensions_native/OdeJoint_extensions.py
+++ b/direct/src/extensions_native/OdeJoint_extensions.py
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ from libpanda import *
 #####################################################################
 
 """
-ODE-extensions module: contains methods to extend functionality
-of the ODE classes
+OdeJoint-extensions module: contains methods to extend functionality
+of the OdeJoint class
 """
 
 def attach(self, body1, body2):
@@ -25,3 +25,34 @@ def attach(self, body1, body2):
         self.attachBody(body2, 1)
 Dtool_funcToMethod(attach, OdeJoint)
 del attach
+
+def convert(self):
+    """
+    Do a sort of pseudo-downcast on this joint in 
+    order to expose its specialized functions.
+    """
+    if self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTBall:
+        return self.convertToBall()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTHinge:
+        return self.convertToHinge()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTSlider:
+        return self.convertToSlider()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTContact:
+        return self.convertToContact()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTUniversal:
+        return self.convertToUniversal()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTHinge2:
+        return self.convertToHinge2()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTFixed:
+        return self.convertToFixed()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTNull:
+        return self.convertToNull()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTAMotor:
+        return self.convertToAMotor()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTLMotor:
+        return self.convertToLMotor()
+    elif self.getJointType() == OdeJoint.JTPlane2d:
+        return self.convertToPlane2d()
+Dtool_funcToMethod(convert, OdeJoint)
+del convert
+