Looking for pointers
 

Ok ol red is basically one day away from running.what im looking for pointers on is how exactly to shift a 3 on the tree.ive never drove a 3 on the tree before and am very unfamiliar with how to shift them.my long term plan is to put a TH350 in it but in order to do so it has to be driven to where all my parts for the conversion is.

Re: Looking for pointers
 

closest to you and up is reverse, closest to you and down is 1st, 2nd is forward and up, 3rd is forward and down. Just like driving any manual, only on the column. I think they are fun!

Re: Looking for pointers
 

Shift early, and shift often...

;)

Re: Looking for pointers
 

Sounds simple enough i can see it now drivin down the road with your passenger and your rowing through the gears and you completely freak out your passenger because they dont know the difference between an automatic and a 3 on the tree or getting the same reaction from a passing motorist on the road.this trip up north should be interesting.

Re: Looking for pointers
 

Re: Looking for pointers
 

My pointer is to ditch it and go to a floor shift. 3 on the tree just looks....well.....junky and pointless.

Re: Looking for pointers
 

The truck is going to be converted over to an automatic i have a messed up shoulder which doesnt like to do alot of shifting.i agree 3 on the trees do look junky and pointless.it just has to be driven to where my parts are to do the conversion

Re: Looking for pointers
 

Make sure you follow the H pattern closely when shifting. In other words, when coming out of first, bring the shifter straight up to neutral, then horizontal towards the dash, then straight up to second. As the shift linkage wears on these things, and you try to speed shift by going more or less diagonally from first to second, the linkage can get stuck between gears, then you have to pull to the shoulder of the road and free up the linkage under the hood.

Re: Looking for pointers
 

I remember banging through the gears on a three on the tree. What fun! Man, I suddenly feel old......