When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
i have a 77 f100 3 speed on the column. occasionally i have difficulty getting out of gear. i'm thinking of either replacing the steering column or locating the shifter to the floor. i have limited mechanical experience. does changing the shifter to the floor require only a linkage change or a complete tranny change?
all feedback greatly appreciated because i am not simply collecting this vehichle, it is my main transportation. risky indeed.
Last edited by rarferd; Jun 1, 2006 at 05:34 PM.
Reason: clarity
Next time, can you use a more descriptive title for your post, that helps us know what you are looking for. You'll find you get more and better help that way.
I'm no expert on that shifter type, so hopefully someone will drop by soon to help out.
You ussually only have about 10 Minutes to change the title, but not big deal.
Now what exactally is the problem?
Do you have a auto or standard 3 on the tree?
I replace my shift selecter for my auto in my 77 and it wasn't hard at all, but I had to replace it b/c I broke it in half(and the $20 to fix that was alot easier on me than a $200 + dollar relocation kit to the floor).
I find it hard to believe it's the steering column that causing that.
It might be one thing in the column that wore out, that can be replaced.
I tried looking around alittle bit, but couldn't find anything for the 73-77 3 speed steering column( I know they have it, but all I came up with was 78 79 stuff).
If it comes down to haveing to replace the whole column, then you might as well put a shifter on the floor, and there would be no changing transmissions, just changing linkages.
The problem is the un-co-ordindated attempt of the shifter linkages on the trans to make a clean shift.
Go under th truck and look at everything real close for sloppy attachments.
This is thre ara that get worn out .
Maybe also check in the Drivetrain forum for expert transmission help ?
Since you're new here may I suggest reading this thread
ok. i've decided not to hang myself, the advice that i have recieved so far has gone a long way to alleviate the angst. now that i know that its a matter of just cutting a hole and installing new linkage, i will seriously consider doing that. This is the first time in my life (45 yrs) that i have a shifter on the column, and i must say - not a big fan of it.
I like the catchy title...sparks curiousity! I had a worn out column shift, linkage, whatever in my '76 F100, 3 spd on the column. I bought a Hurst kit that converted it to the floor and loved it! It shifted smooth, and I liked shifting from the floor. I got it from Jegs or Summit, and welcome to the site!! Mike
Sometimes the cab mounts rust out and place the shifter in a bind or throw off the geometry also. Bad motor and tranny mounts can also cause this problem.
If you decide to cut your floor(the transmission tunnel) it would be wise to remove the carpet/or/rubber to have a look at the the trans tunnel because there is an indentation from the factory of where the factory would cut it out and use a metal plate bolted on there.
It would also be wise to find this metal plate beforehand to perform the conversion the correct way if you wish to make it look like the truck came that way from the factory.
ok. well, here's the thing - i have experience doing many repairs on various cars from the sixtys and seventys including brakes, changing alternaters, putting in new starters, replacing radiators, things of that sort - nothing really extensive. Because of that , i am a little aprehensive about attempting this shifter conversion. Is there a repair manual available that could precisely walk me through (with detailed drawings) each and every step of the process? And another thing, since i am not at the moment completely confident that i could handle the job, i had my mechanic give me a price (around $600 parts&labor), and he told me that none of his suppliers were confindent about which shifter kit to send him, they all expressed doubts about knowing which shifter would be compatible. Does this mean all his suppliers are inept?
Try Jegs. You can look online(jegs.com). Part # 530-501-0016. It comes with instructions and was not difficult. My mechanical abilities are also limited. I can do the usual maintenance, brakes, a little fab/body work and I did it with no problem. Maybe you could get the shifter and have your mech. install. Mike