I have done a ton of research and looking around and have not found a previous thread that answers my question. Or I just don't have the knowledge to realize that one of them is the solution to my problem. I have a 1965 F100 2x4, 3 on the tree manual trans. I removed my steering column due to the fact I could not shift into 2nd and 3rd gear. The gear selector arm would not move forward toward the dash for me to shift up into 2nd gear and then down into 3rd. I have read all the post on here about steering column and shifting and three on the tree trans. Currently I and stuck and I cannot remove the shift tube for the inside of the column. One article I read on another site said that it should just drop right out and then I could remove the two shift levers at the bottom. From what I can tell that shift tube should move forward and backwards inside the column so I can engage the 2nd and 3rd gears. It is frozen and I cannot get it free from the inside of the column. At the bottom there is a bearing and that looks like it should stay where it is. The only way I see the shift tube coming out is pulled through the top. Should I just put a wedge in the bottom and start banging on it with a hammer till it comes out the top. I'm stuck and I need help. Pictures below. Thanks in advance.

 

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, the shift lever binds up between 1st and 2nd.

C5TZ-7343-A .. Bushing & Insulator Kit / Obsolete

1965/67 F100/250 2WD / 1969/74 Econoline.

NOS ONLY in San Jose CA has 1 = 800-667-6659.

SUSANVILLE FORD in Susanville CA has 1 = 530-257-2137.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 2,718 (!) = 800-476-9653.

Here's an exploded view of the steering column. Shift tube is #7212.

 

Like I said, I have read and researched all that I can, but may not be able to identify my solution in the threads. I am not a mechanic. I am looking for help and may need further explanations. I am not looking for someone to talk down to me. With that said, if this is an answer to my question you will have to be more explicit. Do so without condescending or I would just rather you not answer. I am aware of you previous posts and saw your responses to all of the other posts.

1. Does that shift tube in the column move forwards and backwards inside the column? If so mine does not.

2.I am aware of the bushings and insulators inside the manual control selector levers. I could reach down and shift them by hand. From neutral to reverse back to neutral, then to first back to neutral. While in neutral I could shift the SECOND LEVER (the one closest to the firewall up into second and down into third). No binding from the bushings or tension that would prevent me from shifting.

3. As far as I can tell the problem is in the column. Is there an H pattern on this years make/model 3 speed manual trans.? In other words,... All the way up and pulled towards me is reverse. Down halfway is neutral. All the way down is 1st. Then up to neutral and push towards the dash then up into second. Then straight down (still pushed towards the dash) into 3rd. Do I have that correct?

4. If that is correct, then my selector lever on the column does not move towards the dash (WHICH AFTER TAKING THE COLUMN APART I CAN SEE THAT THE SHIFT TUBE SHOULD SLIDE FORWARD TO ALLOW ME TO ENGAGE THE 2ND AND 3RD GEARS) from the neutral position to allow me to move up into second and down into third.

5. If you think the bushings in the levers that connect to the shift rods from the transmission are preventing me from shifting at the column arm towards the dash to go up into second please explain why.



Thank You.

 

Well I guess I call that one by the numbers......
For those who may be having a similar problem shifting into 2nd and 3rd, and its not coming from the bushings and insulators in the manual control selector levers, this is what I found with regards to the shift tube. I hope it helps someone in the future.

I spoke to some very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly people here in Southern California. One guy owns a specialized steering column shop and he was nice enough to talk to me on the phone about how to fix my column.
I told him how the shift tube had no forward and backwards movement. It seems to be frozen and did not allow me to access 2nd and 3rd gears. I also told him that from everything I read the shift tube should fall out of the column on its own. He said that's correct if the tube is not seized inside the steering column. He told me it's something that he sees on occasion due to all the road grime and the fact that the master cylinder, which is directly above the column, always seems to leaks right down on top of it.
He told me that he soaks the column in wd-40 and leaves it sit overnight. If its still stuck you do what you have to do to remove the tube from the column.
I let it soak but it didn't do much because I had to beat out the shift tube from the bottom up. It came out in two pieces as you can see from the pictures below. The tube split in half almost perfectly at the lip just above the spring. I got a new one on order and I cleaned up the levers, thrust washers and arm spacers. I also got some great advice on how to reinstall the column and how to adjust the transmission of rods to the column.