That reminds me of my dad's old '65 GMC. It was a "three-on-the-tree" column shifting trans too.
I recall when he wanted to shift from 2nd to 3rd, all he had to do was push in the clutch pedal,,,, the shifter would simply FALL down into gear without even touching the shifter!


My first '65 F250 had a 3speed column shifter that the previous owner had broken off the shifter at the column, so he had a hose clamp 'trying' to hold it in place..... however, I quickly learned that it didn't hold it in place very well.
Within the first week, I turned to the left at an intersection, and the shifter fell out onto the floorboards, which sent me scrambling to grab it, trying to stick it back in the hole, with the hopes that it would be where it needed to be to shift, all while still rolling down the road! NOT A GOOD THING!


But if that happened, all you'd learn is how to write checks...........

Jeffrey - your're a "Young Grasshopper",,,, have patience and learn how to care for your old truck.
All of us are on the learning curve, some longer than others.

I agree with John:
I'd recommend you look into the SEARCH records on changing out the bushings rather than scrapping the column shifter for a floor shifter.

BarnieTrk

 

I know, the desire to learn outweighs the money I have to learn... it does run, and runs well, i just HATE not knowing where the shifter is going to be

 

You pull that arm next to the firewall up. Hook the claws of a hammer on it and jerk the hello out of it. It will come out of gear. There is nothing to make it stay in gear. You will feel it when it releases. Hell jerk both of them in case you have caused a different jamb.

Forget the floor shift. That can be another can of worms, and space on the floor used.

Aren't you in the military? There should be a hobby shop on base, and someone there that can help.


John

 

the attitude to have is "its already broke" and the money is already spent..
there are a lot of people ready to help... you will be amazed how much you will learn
when you don't have a choice but to fix it yourself...welcome

 

Yeah, space on the floor used for a floor shifter....I mean what else ya going to use that space for?

Plus there is the coolness factor of a 23" lokar shifter stickin' up above the dash



Another thing if the cab mounts are worn out that too will cause some alignment issues with the clutch and shifter rods.

 

If that is KOOL to you, then I am happy for you.




John

 

Then you're really going to happy for me when you here how Cool I think my NASCAR Truck Series shifter boot is.
You don't see these in a Slick everyday.

 

I prefer to have the floor wide open! I just need to figure out the tranny and I should be good

 

That Nascar shift boot IS cool! I'm jealous now.