Steering Column & Transmission Linkage

[sstpeach]

So my truck came with a three speed transmission; I'm putting in 350 automatic transmission.

1) Is their a difference in steering columns? I'm positive a column is a column is a column no matter the application. Chevy is obviously smart enough to make a universal steering application.......right?
2) Using my original steering column to the 350 automatic transmission, I just need to pick up a standard chevy linkage right for a 350 automatic trans which will connect up to my firewall?

[joe231]

a 3 speed column and an auto column are completely different animals.

[sstpeach]

ok, should have figured. so i change my steering column or find a three speed trans for sale.......if anyone local in tx send me an e-mail.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by sstpeach

ok, should have figured. so i change my steering column or find a three speed trans for sale....

Or, just put a floor shifter on your hump - like I did with my TH350.

Mac.

[austex66]

I haven't looked in great detial, but the PO welded a linkage rod on my 3 speed column that seems to work on my th350....I'll see if I can get a closer look.

[Texasdeere]

There is a guy named RJ on the stovebolt that has the parts you need for sale. They are listed in the classifieds, parts for sale.

[wild one]

You could install a tilt auto column out of a mid 70's van, they bolt in with a few simple mods. I (and several others on this board) installed one in my truck, just do a search for van column install - several write ups have been done on this subject.

Good Luck
Pete

[Fitzgerald63]

I just recently changed my transmission in my 63 c10 from a 3 on the tree to a 700r4. I actually was able to use one of the 3 speed linkages by bending it to the desired angles. I also used some parts from an s10 to work the rest of the linkage where it attaches to the frame.

As far as using the 3 speed column just weld it so that it cant pull back and forth(front to back). Then it will go straight up and down nice and smooth like a regular column shift. Only disadvandage is no saftey lock into park. So Just use your E brake.

It was Free and only took me a few hours.

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by Fitzgerald63

I just recently changed my transmission in my 63 c10 from a 3 on the tree to a 700r4. I actually was able to use one of the 3 speed linkages by bending it to the desired angles. I also used some parts from an s10 to work the rest of the linkage where it attaches to the frame.

As far as using the 3 speed column just weld it so that it cant pull back and forth(front to back). Then it will go straight up and down nice and smooth like a regular column shift. Only disadvandage is no saftey lock into park. So Just use your E brake.

It was Free and only took me a few hours.

This is dangerous. It would be wise to spend the time and what little money to find the correct parts either a lowcar floor shifter or a auto column. Its kind of like insurance. Cover you ass....

[apachedaddy]

Originally Posted by 502tripower

This is dangerous. It would be wise to spend the time and what little money to find the correct parts either a lowcar floor shifter or a auto column. Its kind of like insurance. Cover you ass....

Im curious to know the danger in doing this????

[LILRED66]

Become a Site Supporter for a mere $25.00 annually, and you can find every part you need for the swap on this site.

Good luck and welcome aboard from Kansas City, KS.

[apachedaddy]

Sorry i was gone to the woods for a week. But this is what i did to solve the problem your having.






The auto linkage came from the junk yard from a early 80's truck. One weld and drilled one hole. Hope this helps you out.

[kizer]

Personally if you don't use your Neutral safety switch via the column you should at least install a push button either on the floor or on the column somewhere so you have to literally engage it by hand to make it start opposed to bypassing it.

Wait a minute is it a push button type of operation or a constant power. Heck I don't remember either way, but I wouldn't bypass it either way.

[joe231]

kizer, it just completes the start circuit when the trans is in neutral or park.
you don't have to have it on the column, it could be a normally open switch on the transmission that is only "made up"(by the shift lever) when the transmission is in park

[kizer]

Yeah I figured as much I just couldn't remember if it was a momentary or if it was a on/off. Either way I'd make sure its at least available to keep idiots from just turning the key and having your truck lunge.

I was at a car lot once looking at something and somebody decided to give a vehicle a key turn to hear the engine and I was literally hit and thrown back a few feet over a small wall and luckily I was thrown and not pinned or I would of been killed with a FORD emblem on my chest. How embarrassing would of that been. hahahaha

[SlimPikins]

Originally Posted by kizer

I would of been killed with a FORD emblem on my chest. How embarrassing would of that been. hahahaha

That would almost be as bad as being killed with a MOPAR emblem on your chest!!!

hahahahahha

[LILRED66]

Ironically, the factory-equipped four speed manual transmission trucks did not have a nuetral safety switch and if you bump the key with it in gear it will lunge forward or back, depending on what gear it is in. The only way to avoid this with the factory-equipped truck is to park it in neutral and make sure the e-brake works and is engaged.

[apachedaddy]

I agree with all of the above but we are going from a standard to an auto trans. I dont have the safty switch hooked up in my truck (but i never tried to start it while in gear). I can see the issue with the standard if it were in gear and no switch. I looked at my auto trans and there is no wires to hook a switch up. The wires still go to the column so there may be a way to make it work from there. With more thought on this i might be able to route it through the brake light switch on the pedle(just like the cars with it on the clutch pedle). Kill's 2 birds with one stone, it would have a safty switch and would be on the breaks just in case it wanted to move.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by apachedaddy

I agree with all of the above but we are going from a standard to an auto trans. I dont have the safty switch hooked up in my truck (but i never tried to start it while in gear). I can see the issue with the standard if it were in gear and no switch. I looked at my auto trans and there is no wires to hook a switch up. The wires still go to the column so there may be a way to make it work from there. With more thought on this i might be able to route it through the brake light switch on the pedle(just like the cars with it on the clutch pedle). Kill's 2 birds with one stone, it would have a safty switch and would be on the breaks just in case it wanted to move.

an auto transmission will lunge also.......

the brake switch idea is a good one and very simple, as long as you are holding enough pressure on the brakes to keep the vehicle from moving.....all it takes is a very small movement of the brake pedal to make up the stop light switch.
it wouldn't take much fab work to make a bracket mounted on the transmission that is made up when the shift lever is in park


NICE LINK Chevy Fleetside!!!

[Chevy Fleetside]

After you get the right column in you can use one of these.. http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku It goes straight from the column to the tranny. They do work. I used one in my truck for years before I took it out and lost it.. I am not sure of the lenth of this rod, but it needs to be able to adjust to 24". You might even be albe to find them at another vendor for less and get more info. Summits "no shipping" charges are getting expensive.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

Summits "no shipping" charges are getting expensive.

Okay folks - funny stuff right there!