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Hey guys, has anyone used the stock 3 speed column and mated it to a C4? I love the look of the original column, and I would like to re-use it. Last resort will be a IDIDIT column, but I would rather use the stock column. The truck is a original straight axle rebuild, down and forward springs with a 3" drop axle, and the CPP power steering kit. If anyone has any insight, ideas, or pictures it would be greatly appreciated!
I wouldn't think changing over would be a huge problem. I believe my 56 Panel was done by the PO. The problem is I don't have a transmission indicator that tells me what gear I'm in. The PO mounted a neutral safety switch on the bottom of the column and used a linkage out of a donor vehicle (vehicle UNK). Don't have any pictures of the shifter but it has a 351C and C4.
thanks for the reply! Is it possible for you to get some pictures of the linkage assembly? I figure I will need some sort of "detent" mechanism. I really don't care if theres a indicator or not for which gear I'm in, I figure I will know once the truck starts rolling
It'll take me a couple of days. I had a accident and dislocated my right shoulder and my stuff is about 30 mins away. I should be able to get out there sometime this weekend. OBTW Yes, I was rooting around for parts when I injured myself! All the wife can say is it's not worth it!
oh sorry to hear that! no problem at all, thanks for getting the pictures! That sounds like something my wife would say, but she doesn't understand the love of men and their trucks!
I hunted around for a few weeks and found an original auto steering column tube with shift mechanism. Didn't come with the shift indicator which I have found is the hardest part to find. I will adapt a universal one when the time comes. That said, I suggest you look for a truck that had the ford-omatic transmission in the 53-56 and get the shifter out of it. They're not all that rare... But if you're not looking for it, you'll certainly never find it!
About the decent mechanism, I can take a look, I doubt there's anything special about it. As far as the linkage goes, that part I am certain you could make work from a 3 speed shifter linkage, as it has two and you only need one, albeit a certain length.
JDBeck23,
Can you take pictures of your column too? I am just assuming mine was originally a 3 Speed because it was in a Panel. And the date plate says it was a 3 speed light duty.
Don't forget if you look for another column it's gotta be from a 56, they're longer than 53-55s.
Here are a couple pics of my column shifter. The end of the shifter lever goes into an inner tube opening. And the lever pivots on a roll pin. I couldn't get the roll pin out to see if the inner tube/rod was free, that roll pin wasn't moving!
JDBeck23,
Can you take pictures of your column too? I am just assuming mine was originally a 3 Speed because it was in a Panel. And the date plate says it was a 3 speed light duty.
Don't forget if you look for another column it's gotta be from a 56, they're longer than 53-55s.
Actually the 56 is shorter. Because of the dished steering wheel. The trans will click from gear to gear. The only thing you need to be concerned about is bumping it into reverse while under way. You'll need to come up with a stop for reverse position.
I have a 56 with the original Ford-O-Matic column. It is now mated to an FMX transmission. The stock shift indicator and needle were long gone, so I was able to buy replacements from Mid-50 and Greene sales. But after installing them I find that it does not really match up with the detents in the transmission. It is generally off by one click. For instance, when the transmission is actually in Drive, the indicator needle is showing "N". In case 5point runs into the same thing with his C-4,is there a way a guy can correct for that?
06-26-2014, 08:16 AM
