I I finally figured out how to post some photos on the forum. I bought this truck a couple of weeks ago locally from a craigslist posting. I know it's not the prettiest but I like the way it looks. I want to get a rear bumper and a tailgate for it and fix some other things that need attention.

It was big fun driving it home and I can't wait to start working on it. This forum looks like a great place to get answers to things I don't know. Be patient with me.

Dave

 

Nice 61! Rare truck in that combination.

Welcome to FTE.

Garbz

 

That thing is beautiful congrates. What trans and what gear ratio i in the rearend?

 

It has the Ford 3 speed transmission with 3.70 gears in the rear. The shifter was originally on the column but somewhere along the line it was moved to the floor. I'm not thrilled with the floor shifter right against my leg but I don't know how hard it is to put back to original.

 

Nice truck, It's gonna be fun!

 

Have you had it on the highway with those gears?

 

The usual reasons why people install a floor shift.

Pot metal shift coller has an internal bridge that connects it to the shift tube. Bridge cracks, separates from collar, shift lever flops around.

At the bottom of the steering column under the hood are the two manual control selector levers that the shift rods from the trans attach to. In each lever is a rubber bushing and insulator.

The bushings age crack, fall apart...the shift lever binds up between 1st & 2nd.

Shift collar snaps, bushing crack apart: People go to chain autoparts stores that don't have the parts, so floor shifter installed.

The parts are available, the thing is, most peope haven't a clue where to get them. They drive Ford, don't think to go to the dealer, or if they do, lazy parts clucks say OBSOLETE the second they mention the year.

 

Thanks Bill,
I'm sure you would be a great source of the information I need to put the shifter back on the column. How can I tell if the bridge is cracked? Assuming most of the parts still on the truck are ok, what is the cost estimate of the parts I need?
Dave

 

You'll have to pull the steering wheel, remove the upper flange, then inspect the little charmer to see if the bridge is intact or has separated.

Look at selector levers, I'll betcha the rubber bushing are age cracked.

Does the collar still have its shift lever, or has it gone bye bye? Peeps stick a floor shifter in there, don't think to save the old parts.

These cabs are not exactly roomy. Young 'uns usually don't have a problem, but geezers, the overfed and the overtall have problems fitting behind that steering wheel.

Slim young 'un bought a 65 new, 44 years later wasn't young or slim and 'arthur' had arrived. Had to sell it, cuz couldn't fit in it any longer. It went across the pond to Sweden.

 

HEY are there a lot of people who move the gas tank behind the seat to the bed...? Does that allow for the seat to move back a bit adding steering clearance?

 

No, it allows no additional seat clearance. Most are not fond of sitting on a 19 gallon gas can, hence it gets moved.

Garbz

 

I've have to sligthly disagree with Garbz on tank removal for clearance; I own several trucks with in cab tank and under bed at the same time; it really depends on type of seat you place in your cab; I like to use the 80's thru early 90's bench seatw/ fold down arm rest and **** poor drink cup holder in the center. I've gained some leg room; especially in comfort height for the old paratrooper knees and dunlap diease I've attained over the years.

 

where is a good online spot ) or in los anglels ) to grab a tank for the bed or elsewhere on my truck. I would LOVE even an inch more space back. I am not a tall guy but just would dig the extra room.

 

I think moving the gas tank was discussed on a previous post and it was concluded that you wont gain anymore legroom. Search the topic here on FTE