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I tried searching but didn't turn up the info I need. Apologies if this is a retread topic.
I have a 390 and toploader 4 speed in my '54 chassis that I am using with my '56 cab. The current shifter is a Hurst that angles back a lot. I'm planning on bucket seats and a console. My question is around the shifter. Is there a more upright shifter that guys have used that gives plenty of seat/console and dash clearance?
Isn't that going to have the shifter back under your seat? I think I'd find the internals to go with a tower shift instead of the side shift. Just something else to ponder...
Isn't that going to have the shifter back under your seat? I think I'd find the internals to go with a tower shift instead of the side shift. Just something else to ponder...
It pretty much puts the shift **** between the buckets. The shift lever comes up through the floor a couple behind the trans cover .I'm not overly familiar with these transmissions. Is the tower shifter swap a major endeavor? Thanks for the input!
First, Ford offered a few different tail shaft housings on the Toploader 4 speed transmissions. Some had the shifter mounting boss' near the back, some near the front, some both. It all depended on what car it was being installed in. David Kee Toploaders in Texas is the place that sells and makes everything for those transmissions, even new cases Tailhousing ID Chart
Second, look at Hurst's website. The shifter on that trans looks like a Hurst Competition Plus shifter for a Mustang. Hurst has some Competition Plus shifters with bolt on sticks. See if they offer one for a Ford Toploader and see if there is a better fitting bolt on stick available.
Third, you might have to do what my oldest brother did when installing a Toploader 4sp in a 1956 F100 back in the 1970's, cut the stick and reweld it in a position that clears the bench seat.
First, Ford offered a few different tail shaft housings on the Toploader 4 speed transmissions. Some had the shifter mounting boss' near the back, some near the front, some both. It all depended on what car it was being installed in. David Kee Toploaders in Texas is the place that sells and makes everything for those transmissions, even new cases Tailhousing ID Chart
Second, look at Hurst's website. The shifter on that trans looks like a Hurst Competition Plus shifter for a Mustang. Hurst has some Competition Plus shifters with bolt on sticks. See if they offer one for a Ford Toploader and see if there is a better fitting bolt on stick available.
Third, you might have to do what my oldest brother did when installing a Toploader 4sp in a 1956 F100 back in the 1970's, cut the stick and reweld it in a position that clears the bench seat.
The more I read up on it the more I think option three is probably the most likely solution. The shift lever isn't removable so I'd have to replace the entire unit and that seems like a waste of money.
Can’t you flip the handle so it Angles forward and put a pistol grip handle on it
I do love the old pistol grips in the mopars but the arm isn't removable so I'd have to cut it and it would probably sit under the dash at that point. No bueno
The more I read up on it the more I think option three is probably the most likely solution. The shift lever isn't removable so I'd have to replace the entire unit and that seems like a waste of money.
That looks like the Competition Plus shifter in my 1969 Mach1. The first generation of that shifter had a removable bolt on stick. On this second generation Hurst eliminated that feature and made the stick non-removable.
You might be able to heat and bend the stick if you have oxy-acetylene torches. Whatever mods you make, make certain the boot will cover it.
One question I have is how did somebody get the clutch linkage to work?
On those shifters there are two bolts that hold it to the trans mounting plate. Either redrill and tap one or both bolt holes in the mounting plate to get the shifter box to sit where you want/need it to. I would work just the top bolt hole first and see if it gives you what you need. If not you can always make a new mounting plate.
That looks like the Competition Plus shifter in my 1969 Mach1. The first generation of that shifter had a removable bolt on stick. On this second generation Hurst eliminated that feature and made the stick non-removable.
You might be able to heat and bend the stick if you have oxy-acetylene torches. Whatever mods you make, make certain the boot will cover it.
One question I have is how did somebody get the clutch linkage to work?
The cross member was cut for the linkage. There was a big beefy one made for the tail of the trans and I just installed the transdapt one for the engine. I think there is enough strength even though they cut so much out.
