This is a good site I been following it for a couple of months. I have just recieved a 1964 f100 longbed from my uncle. 292 engine bored to a 312 4 bbl carb with flow masters on it. It has 3 speed manual in the floor in it now but it was originally in the column. My brother, father and uncle have been getting the truck back to life and we finally got it started last week after it has been sitting for a couple of years. The good thing that everything is working fine just have to change the back-end for a lower ratio which is in the works. Here is a question for all the gurus on the forum what is the process in changing from a floor to the column is it worth it? I'm not looking to make it a speed demon just a cruiser but if want to punch it I got it. Thanks in advance.

 

i guess i cant help you much there, is the original tranny still available? was it traded out because the stearing column was so warn out that is was easier to change the tranny than rebuild the stearing column? dont know much about the 64's but i think it prolly came with a 3 speed . guess it all boils down to what you would like. three speed on the column or 4 speed on the floor. i do know that you will have to find another tranny if you wanna go to the stearing column. Dutch

 

No what is in it now is not the oringinal but my uncle did not like the column shifter so he took it out. Is it a way that you can use existing tranny and make it a column? The stearing column is still on the truck.

 

column shell is what I mean

 

Do you want to keep the 3 speed that's in there now and only convert the shifter back to a column shift? Or do you want/need to change the trans also, and in the process hope to go back to a column shift? Lastly, did your Uncle just add a floor shifter to the original trans (likely), or did he swap the whole trans out for one with an integral shift housing (less likely)? Just trying to understand exactly what you're going after.

If your Uncle left all the column linkage in place, and just switched to, say, a Hurst Indy shifter, then theorectically all you would have to do is hook the trans back to the column instead of the floor shifter. But the big questions are: 1. did he leave everything there?, and 2. why did he change in the first place? Column worn out, or he just wanted a floor shifter?

With all that being said, I can't say I'm a huge fan of column shifters. Period correct, yes. Except, they always seem vague and worn out to me, even when fresh. Then again I'm used to sports/sporty cars. Hell, my '65 Ranchero acted and sounded like the UPS truck until I swapped in a T5, so that's my frame of reference. But different strokes and all, so whatever flips your minnow

 

My uncle kept the trans and put in a hurst shifter. If I change it over I would still want it a 3 speed. He change it because he did not like having a column shifter. I was asking this question because IF I was to change it to a column shifter would it be a hard procedure and how other people in this fourm felt about the column shifters.

 

If you're lucky, you'll find that all you need are is the two rods that go from the column to the transmission. Those can still be found but will require some looking. A member here may be able to help. My personal objection to the floor shift is they are usually too close to the seat.

 

I'm glad you said that because that is what I was thinking!!! Floor shift in 1st gear is really close to the seat.