Shifter oddity!
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
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From: CA
Shifter oddity!
The three speed (3.03) manual in my '73 F-100 w/302 was shot. So I rebuilt and installed a C4. For this swap, I used a C4 shifter from a Pinto, which I was assured by folks on this forum would work. And yes, it was a C4 shifter.
Avoid using this shifter if you plan such a swap. I can shift the truck okay, but this shifter only goes through about 2/3rds of it's travel to cover all the gears! So, of course, you have to shift by feel, which I don't consider safe.
My guess is that the bolt hole extends out too far on the bottom shifter arm (and there's no room to drill another as the bar curves just above it).
So my question is, does anyone know of a fairly inexpensive aftermarket shifter for a C4 that will work in a truck?
Avoid using this shifter if you plan such a swap. I can shift the truck okay, but this shifter only goes through about 2/3rds of it's travel to cover all the gears! So, of course, you have to shift by feel, which I don't consider safe.
My guess is that the bolt hole extends out too far on the bottom shifter arm (and there's no room to drill another as the bar curves just above it).
So my question is, does anyone know of a fairly inexpensive aftermarket shifter for a C4 that will work in a truck?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Cedar Park, Texas
I have a Hurst Promatic II in my 86 with a C6. Also works with the C4 as it is cable operated and they make the necessary linkage adapters. Nice positive ratchet style shifting makes it kind of fun to drive, too.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: CA
Like I said, the bend in the arm is just after the present hole, so I can't drill a hole closer to the pivot point. The idea of extending the arm on the tranny seems possible. Should I assume that the distance from the hole to the pivot point on both arms should be the same distance?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 4
From: Golden, CO
I do things the hard way! I would crawl underneath with one of those cheesey plastic protracters and measure the range of travel for both levers, write them down as a fraction and simplify. This should produce a comparative ratio. The same ratio should apply to the distance from the pivot points.
OOOOORRR, maybe a shift lever from a Pinto tranny?
OOOOORRR, maybe a shift lever from a Pinto tranny?
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 64
Originally Posted by Polkat
Like I said, the bend in the arm is just after the present hole, so I can't drill a hole closer to the pivot point. The idea of extending the arm on the tranny seems possible. Should I assume that the distance from the hole to the pivot point on both arms should be the same distance?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 662
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From: CA
Hummm...the shift lever from a Pinto tranny might be worth checking out. The present shift arm on the tranny is too long now (if I kept the shifter's arm as is). Maybe the shift arm on a Pinto tranny is shorter!
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