Hi

I have a 74 f100 2wd with an automatic trans. The previous owner converted the truck to a floor shifter but neglected to connect the reverse light switch. I've completed rewiring the truck and am converting it back to shift on the column. Before starting, I checked that the lever at the end of the steering column (that connects to a linkage rod to the trans) moved with the shift level in the cab. However, now that the linkage is in place, there's enough resistance that the lever in the bay does not move. In other words, somethings broken between the lever in the cab and the lever in the engine bay. I've dissasembled the steering wheel and collars, and it appears the collar for the shift lever is intact...I can see the tube turning with the collar and the reverse/neutral safete switch operate. So I'm thinking somethings broken at the other end near the rag joint. I can't see how the lever attaches to the shift tube. Is there a nut or pin that keeps the lever from turning? Is it welded to the to the tube that goes into the cab?

Any insight would help before I remove the column and tear it appart... Especially a pic or diagram.

(btw, yes, I've searched)

Thanks from a first-time poster,
Gene

 

Did you try disconnecting the linkage from the transmission and see if it moves? and the lever on the transmission? I had problems with the linkage on mine hitting the exhaust after I installed the headers.

 

Yes, originally there was no lever to the transmission. The transmission lever works fine - it had beeen connected to a floor shifter. I installed a linkage rod from a junk yard, and it seems fine. I can move the lever at the bottom of the steering col by hand, and the transmission changes gears.

 

Ok, it's fixed. Thought I'd update this (little replied to) thread just in case anyone else has the same problem. The shift tube consists of a simple tube with flat pins spot-welded near both ends and a collar about 4" from the bottom end. The flat pins slide into slots on the shift collar at the top, and the lever at the bottom which connects via a linkage rod to the trans. The pins prevent the collar and lever from rotating, obviously. The small collar near the bottom is a spring retainer for a short (~3") spring which presumably provides resistance for the shifter.

In my case, the spot welds on the pin at the bottom had broken, allowing the lever to rotate. I brazed the pin back in position, and now I'm back in business.

BTW, I discovered a neat trick or "tip". When reassembling the shift collar, there are two square-head bolts that protrude through the shift collar and are held in place by nuts on the other side of the piece that holds the turn signal and hazzard switches (not sure what that's called). The problem is the nuts are free to move back and forth and there's no way to hold them in place since the shift collar is closed. The trick is to use a strong magnet to screw on the nuts. The magnet keeps the bolts from pushing back into the shift collar while you get on a few threads.