need shift adjustment help 70 F100

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Aug 2, 2003 | 10:50 PM

batboy

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From: the great northwest

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

This is for a 70 F100 with a 3 spd manual. I replaced the shift collar. When I bolted the column back up, I only can shift into 2nd and 3rd gears. If I pull really hard, It will go into first, but will pop out immediately. I can't get it to go in reverse.
Where do I need to make the adjustments to correct this?

Thanks,
Jeff

Aug 3, 2003 | 04:44 AM

Supercab

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From: Palm Bay, Florida

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

If you will look at the arms that come off of the column near the firewall on the outside there is a small hole in each one.
Start by loostening the nuts on the arms on the transmission end, then line up the arms on the column and put a drill bit or equivellent through both holes keeping the arms together, then go back to the trans. end and tighten up the nuts, you should be good to go, just be sure and remove the drill bit before you try and test drive.
Oh, one more thing be sure you MANUALLY put both the arms on your transmission in neutral before adjusting, as this is where the column is during the adjustment.

Aug 3, 2003 | 06:52 PM

batboy

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From: the great northwest

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

Upon further investigation today, I noticed that the tab thats attached to the top of the shift tube around the lever hole is broken. Its separated and is only there on the bottom of the lever socket hole. I hit the junkyards today and I found a couple shift tubes, however mine is 27" long and the two I found from similar year F100's were 28 1/2". So I don't have a replacement at the moment.
Would a broken shift tube like I described prevent the levers from moving into first+reverse?
Anyone know the story behind the different tube lengths? and possibly know where to find a 27"

Thanks,
Jeff

PS, I really gotta get this fixed soon, I can't back out of my driveway until then :-)

Aug 3, 2003 | 11:56 PM

MuchToMyDelight

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From: Thomson, GA

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

I think that power steering may have caused the differences, but I put my shifter n the floor. the shifter is sloppy, But I got used to it. No one else can drive my truck because of it, but I'm getting a toplader soon, only $100 more to save....

Aug 4, 2003 | 02:10 AM

willowbilly3

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From: Black Hills of SD

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

The 1970 had it's own length of steering column and you will need to find another 1970 to get one that fits. Only the shaft is different on the power steering trucks, the column itself should be the same. Can't you just weld the tab back on? It might take a little grinding to make it fit.
This whole shift system was a weak point on old Ford pickups and the steering column is usually the first thing to go off a junkyard truck. Most of the floor shifters I have seen are a bit clunky and ill placed but is may be your only option.

Aug 4, 2003 | 08:44 AM

batboy

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From: the great northwest

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

I could weld I guess. The hole is worn and elongated into a large oval instead of a circle. I would need to fill this in. Several of the restoration outfits have these parts, but I see listings that overlap the year for a power steering column. I'm going to just call them and ask about the length

Aug 4, 2003 | 01:58 PM

willowbilly3

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From: Black Hills of SD

need shift adjustment help 70 F100

The two trucks I changed to power steering I only had to change the shaft, I reused all the rest of the column. One was an auto the other a 4 speed, both 72's. From my experience only the shaft lengthis different between manual and power steering so it shouldn't matter for the shift tube.