1978 F-100 Pickup with a broken shift collar...after removing the steering wheel and removing the blinker module, the numerous wires coming up the steering column into the module do not allow me remove the blinker module housing nor the shift collar housing.
How do I replace the shift collar without cutting the wires to the blinker module?

 

There should be a plastic connector under the dash where the turn signal switch harness can be unplugged from the dash harness. Then you have to orient the connector a certain way and carefully wiggle it to pull it through the opening in the steering column.

 

jade79,
really appreciate your fast turn around...am just an hour or so on this forum.
please bear with me..an not a mechanic..terminology is not the best........checked the length of the steering column inside the cab...no wires exiting the column (i.e. from the turn signal harness)...however there is a small connector-like device at the base of the steering column in the engine compartment.....with only two wires exiting the column. there appears to be a clip that would release part of this this connector.1. Would this be the connection to the dash harness? 2. If so, do I just pull out the harness to replace the shift collar? 3. How do I get the harness back into place? Appreciate your expertice. Jay

 

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If you can find one, its a lot less trouble to just swap out the entire steering column. At least it was for me. I'm one of those "not really much of a mechanic" type guys.

 

Jade79,
you are the man...after all this time...I looked again under the flexible plastic cover plate that screws onto the dash and curves around the steering column and sure as heck, and just you as you said, I found the plastic connector under the dash...will try to disconnect it and move on...just had to thank you again for your help. Jay Stock

 

You're quite welcome. Glad to help.

 

I've done a couple of those. You will find its a pita.. I agree with the guy who said swap out column, however if thats not a option you have to fix it. As I recall you dont have to take the wire harness clear out of column tube... In fact I would avoid that as it a pain to get back through there . I think you can unplug and just pull it up a ways to get enough slack to get it out of the way and then your shift collar will come off over it.

 

D9TZ7228C (replaced D8TZ7228A) .. 3 Speed Manual Shift Collar / Obsolete

Fits: 1978/79 F100/350 & Econoline.

TOM HILLER FORD in Escalon CA has 1 = 209-838-3535.

DON SANDERSON FORD in Glendale AZ has 1 = 623-842-8762.

JST AUTOMOTIVE in Lebanon TN has 2 = 615-443-3086.

ANTIQUE AUTO SUPPLY in Arlington TX has 12 = 817-275-2381.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 23 = 800-543-4959.

The collar is die cast, has a nasty habit of cracking, then snapping apart internally where it attaches to the shift tube.

Before buying a used column, inspect the collar first for cracks.

 

Ford Truck Forum, Jade 79, Ranger429,doctorgoo, radar 457,

re the shift collar replacement on a 1978 Ford, F-100, Custom:

First, I want to thank all of you for your input. Thanks, too, to Ford Truck Enthusiast Forum for providing the opportunity to share info and experience that is often not available except through a Forum like this.

Two points to make:
1. Even a non-mechanical, musician can replace a broken shift collar on a '78 Ford, F-100 pickup.
2. One does not have to remove the entire steering column to replace the shift collar.
I used a $23.00 NPD collar, advise from you guys, some patients and now I shift
with softer touch.
Thanks, Jay Stock

 

After reading the postings, we had a easy time of doing this job. To replace the shift colar, you have to remove the wires from the blinker module that go thru the blinder module hosing and the shift colar and down thru the steering column. Unplug the large clip under the dash that attaches to the wires that go up thru the steering column. When you take this apart and look at the end, there is a red clip in 3 pieces that runs down the centre of the clip. These are removable with a small screwdriver. Once these are removed, bend the small plastic clip beside each wire inside the large clip and pull the wires out the other end of the clip. Don't forget to draw a picture of where the wires go. The wires feed thru a black plastic sleeve that goes into the steering column. Gently pull the wires thru the sleeve and up thru the column one at a time. Replace the shift colar and using a heavy piece of wire for a snake, tape the wires to the snake, making sure they are all flattened out in a row so that they will fit down the small slot in the column. Feed the snake thru the blinker module hosing and the shift colar and run it down thru the steering column. Install the wires thru the black plastic sleeve and back into the large clip in the right order and replace the red holding clip. Slide the black plastic sleeve back into the slot in the steering column, as it protects the wires from damage. Finish assembly of the shift colar & blinker module and install steering wheel. This was easy. Took a little over an hour, once we figured out how everything came apart. Many thanks to my friend Bob who came by at a opportune moment and helped me figure it out.

 

Thanks for the posts! I'm about to do this on my 1975 F350 Custom-based Roll-a-long motorhome. I went to get on the freeway yesterday and the gear selector came off in my hands! The shift collar was really worn out. We still made it to our friend's house, 3 hours away, by shifting manually in the engine compartment with my wife's foot on the brake.

:-)

Looking forward to being able to shift while inside the cab again! I just need to source the parts here...

 

Donzilla - Got a brand new shift colar for my 75 Ford online from LCM Truck parts. Had it is stock. nergmloh

 

Thanks,
Got the job done, with only one snap ring left over. stockjay

 

Well, I found a used steering column at a junkyard here and ripped it out from steering wheel to gear spline in about 20 minutes. Now I have to grit my teeth and go out in the heat and install it. Came out of a '77 F150 ranger and looks like it should fit nicely, coupled with a new bushing (?) for the steering column from Napa.

I did find really helpful diagrams at NPD and LMC, thanks to you guys:

LMC Truck Parts - Page 101

National Part Depot

At this point I'm not 100% certain that the used column I got will last forever, but I figure I can rebuild the old one at my leisure... and $100 for the whole thing ain't bad (now I have TWO steering wheels...my imagination goes wild with that—I think I'll install the second on the passenger side for my 2.5 y/o son to drive with while i drive ;-)