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1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Slick Sixties Ford Truck

is it possible (or advisable) to remove the shift lever?

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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 10:31 AM
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Question is it possible (or advisable) to remove the shift lever?

I have a 1964 F100 with the 4 speed manual transmission. In first gear, the shift lever hits the dashboard and makes it difficult to get fully into gear. I'd like to get it in a vise and put a little bit more of a bend in it. Can this be done, or is it not advisable to remove this part? I can't really see a way to do this with it in place.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 08:24 PM
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Heat it a little bit and give it a little bend? But if this is the stock trans you might have an issue elsewhere on the truck that is causing this to happen.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 08:30 PM
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From: Rossmoor at Seal Beach
many of them unbolt quite easily if it is on the floor... Mine has two bolts holding it in place... some can be a pain the A$$
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 08:53 PM
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A previous owner of my truck had converted to a Hurst three speed floor shifter. The shift lever in first gear was so close to my leg that I could barely get my knee up past the steering wheel to hit the brakes when lifting my foot. I removed the two bolts holding the shift lever and heated it with a propane torch (the only torch I have) and was able to bend it quite easily. Now I have plenty of room for my 6'3" self to operate the pedals.

Dave
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 09:28 PM
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Pull the boot off and see what kind piece that is holding the shifter in the trans, I have one Ford truc that the cap is screwed on and when unscrew, cap slips up and the shifter comes right out. My other twotrucks the cap is sring loaded, you push down and turn the cap and then slip the shifter out.

But I agree with C G B, look at the rest of the truck, frame mounts and trans mounts to see if something else is the cause.
 
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 09:44 PM
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1961/64: Only 4 speed available: Warner T-98, the shift lever retainer cap (8MTH-7220) threads on/off.

Once the cap is removed, a roll pin is visible within the threads that retains the shift lever in place.

Same cap used with Warner T-18 4 speed introduced in 1965.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
New Process 435 4 speed also intro'd in 1965. Shift lever retainer cap (B8T-7220-D) has two notches...is retained by two pins that protrude from shift tower.

This cap is 'spring loaded' .. must be pressed down and held down while turning it to remove it.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 06:12 AM
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Great info, thank you for all the replies. Will try this today. 6:11am and I've been up since 3:30 with an awful toothache but will update with my progress.
 
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 08:37 AM
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From: colbert washington
When you remove the shift lever remember to have the trans in neutral. This makes it alot easier to get it back in the proper place.
 
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Old Apr 19, 2013 | 11:49 AM
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Thanks for all the help! It came right out, and I wrapped it in some thick cloth, put it in my vise, more cloth on the other end, then slipped a pipe over it and put a bend in it. I got home all happy and proud of myself and read this:

Originally Posted by Buzz44
When you remove the shift lever remember to have the trans in neutral. This makes it alot easier to get it back in the proper place.
...and was like "oh jeez, now I won't be able to get it back on. But I got it.

Thanks again!
 
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