I just inherited my Dad’s 1961 Ford F100 unibody. It is a 3 on the tree and so much fun to drive... but it is non synchronized so I am having a hard time in certain situations. Yesterday I had to slow down for traffic, then traffic started moving again but I was going slow enough I should have been in 1st gear to get going again, BUT I was in 3rd because I cant downshift. I’m really worried about hurting the truck so I want to learn how to deal with this. I’ve been told 3rd to 2nd should be synchronized but it grinds when I try to shift from 3 to 2, maybe the stnchros are worn? Should I practice rev matching/double clutching or is there a fix that I should have someone look for?

 

Welcome to FTE Racegirl! The 3 OT is by far my favorite transmission to drive, probably because the first truck I drove had one and not many people know how to drive them. For me, when driving them, going from 3rd to 2nd I would give it a bump on the gas as you move from 3rd before you hit 2nd, I do this on my 4 spds as well, make sure you're not bumping up into R... have you tried shifting 3 ~> 2 without clutching..? Just matching engine/trans speed..?

And what I should have started with, I would start at the column and work down and check all the bushings and linkage. Out of all the many trucks I've had, I have yet to have one with the synchros worn out, maybe I've been lucky, but I have found some good lubrication and new bushings seem to clear up any issues the PO's have had.

We had an old 57 Chevy pu with the 3OT, and you had to leave first like you were going to R, and then drop down to 2nd, if you tried to rush it or force it, the linkage bound up and you were stuck in 1st, that's what the looong flat screwdriver was for slid down beside the column LOL. Was always a joke when someone new drove it, and you'd try to tell them (think young farm kid, telling older guy who knows HOW to drive) that they need to go easy up to almost R, then down to 2nd, you'd hear them take off, rev it up, and then when it stuck in 1st, you'd hear it Then I'd have to walk to where they were, pop the hood, grab screwdriver, flip the linkage apart, tell them a g a i n how to shift from 1st... I think the boss liked it that way, just to annoy the know it all's.

All that said, to check your linkage and bushings, and it may need something similar, all these old trucks have their tricks.

Welcome to FTE, and post pics when you can!

 

It is very possible that a 64-year-old transmission has worn syncros. You need to look at the data tag, most likely in the glove compartment and post the transmission code. The problem could be external, so you need to make sure the clutch is properly adjusted it should have about 1 1/2 inches of free play and be fully disengaged before it is near the floor. The shifter linkage should be reasonably tight with a minimum of play.
Non-syncro first gear transmissions are OK, but you will have to learn how to double clutch into first if you are going to be able to drive it under all conditions. Practice double clutching to 2nd for now.
My advice is if you really want to enjoy driving your truck is to explore swapping to a later model Ford type 3:03 all syncro 3 speed.