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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I've got a '68 GMC 3/4 ton that I want to swap to a floor shift, I have a 700R4 transmission, column shift. I plan on going with a Lokar 16" shifter but there are a couple models for this.
One model mounts to the tranny and one model mounts to the floor. I haven't decided on which one to go with yet, don't know why one would be any better than the other one. Anyone have some input on which would be 'better', 'easiest', 'preferred', etc and why? This will be my first jump into doing this conversion, just looking for some more info before I go a certain route. Thanks.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Bowser
Posts: 13,608
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Depends where you want the shifter handle.
Floor mounted you can put it anywhere. Tranny mounted you’re stuck with the location. Might be too far forward close to the dash. Here’s some info. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716005 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Thanks for that link, I'd seen that before and had forgotten about it. Looks like the floor mount is more painless than the tranny mount, more flexibility as well. Looks like I'll more than likely be going that direction.
Thanks.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,489
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Have you thought about what to use for a gear indicator? We used this one in a buddy's car. It's also available with the indicator mounted on the boot hold-down ring.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/l...8aAkD4EALw_wcB ![]() It works well, but it's expensive and not a trivial installation, and Lokar doesn't seem to offer a mechanical indicator. Or you could skip the indicator and just select gears by feel, which you probaly do more times than not with a column shifter. Here's option from B&M. https://www.flowmastermufflers.com/p...-light-truck/? ![]()
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Thanks for the link but really not too concerned with the gear indicator, just go by feel of the shifter. I may change my mind on that so good to know it's out there.
I had planned on the Lokar but that B&M doesn't look too bad, not sure on the shifter mount/boot, that looks pretty big.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#6 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,489
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Quote:
![]() Don't forget about neutral safety switch and back-up light switch.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Posts: 1,644
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I installed the cable operated model in my ‘68. It took a lot of work for me to get things mounted and lined up for smooth operation. It took some trial and error to find the best
Spot on the high hump to mount everything. I bought a new trans tunnel cover to start Fresh. Hardest thing I found was getting the cable mount on the trans itself in the best position to allow a smooth shift. Ended up with literally hardly any adjustment latitude but everything worked out. It had to mount in a weird angle to clear my trans crossmember. Customer support was awesome when I had to contact them a few times. I have a few pics of the process I can post if wanted
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
This is the shifter I plan on going with;
https://www.jegs.com/i/Lokar/625/XFMS6700BB/10002/-1 Other than maybe a shifter boot, is there anything else parts wise I may need for the install/conversion? Thanks.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 3,489
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Looks like it includes a neutral safety switch, but I see no mention of a backup light switch.
Also, if you haven't already done it, sign up for Jeg's e-mails. In recent weeks there have been some offering 10% off, and before that $10 off $100, $25 off $250, and $50 off $500. Summit Racing has also sent me several discount codes.
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Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: alvin, texas
Posts: 622
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Quote:
the only thing I don't like about that shifter is it uses a solid linkage instead of a cable. I prefer solid linkage on trans mount shifters and cable on floor mounts. as long as your body mounts, motor mounts and trans mount is in good condition it shouldn't be an issue. its more of a personal preference but I would run this one if I was doing a floor mount https://www.jegs.com/i/Lokar/625/COS6700BM/10002/-1 I've also mounted floor mounts to high hump trans tunnels and had to reinforce the back side of the trans tunnel to stiffen them up
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1967 C10 lwb two tone, 305 & rat fink style floor shifted 700r4, 20" steelies 2004 2500HD utility bed aka Brutus |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
All good info to know. I'll get under the truck and look into clearances but if I recall, the body mounts look to be in good shape. Transmission was changed by a shop about 4 months ago, he's a gear head with a Chevelle amongst his collection, I'd guess he checked the tranny mount. I don't believe I've got a high hump.
Are back-up light switches a stand alone part I can pick up? Currently my back-up lights are inop. I'm not against a cable operated set up, linkage was a bit less $$$. Thanks.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#12 |
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Location: Vancouver, Washington
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
The back-up light switch is a separate, available item that mounts down on the lever into the transmission, (at least on a TH350). Because of my situation, I had to move the shifter bracket forward on pan bolts that are different than indicated in the instructions, (because of the crossmember issue and it being a cable shifter). With than said, I was no longer able to install the switch. Hopefully this will not be the case on this shifter on a 700.
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#13 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I have the 16" floor mounted shifter. Floor mount is a good option if the trans is already installed. The trans has to be dropped or removed to install the trans mounted shifter. Also, with either one, upgrade to the cable instead of the threaded rod linkage.
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#14 |
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
This is a problem I worked with for quite a while, and couldn't come up with a solution - the crossmember. I had to mount to these pan bolts instead of both back two bolts as instructed. Not sure if the crossmember is the issue, or just how it is. Left very little latitude for adjustment, but got it pretty smooth, though the solid part of the cable angles down slightly.
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I appreciate the info on the little quirks, helps quite a bit. You've got me going toward the cable over the linkage at this point, looks like it could be more forgiving. The transmission is in the truck and I'm not going to take it out for the shifter mounting.
Ned - I know we've got different transmissions so maybe that's the crossmember hiccup but I don't think I'll run into that. Looks like plenty of room but I could be mistaken.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#16 | |
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Quote:
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1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop |
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#17 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: alvin, texas
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Quote:
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1967 C10 lwb two tone, 305 & rat fink style floor shifted 700r4, 20" steelies 2004 2500HD utility bed aka Brutus |
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#18 | |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Quote:
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#19 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Orrtanna PA
Posts: 28
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I have a 1968 c10 that was originally 250 with 4 spd. I already had new carpet in the truck and changed my mind and installed a TBI 350 with 4L80E. I did not want to cut the floor or redo the carpet so I went with 16" tranny mounted Lokar and used the original shifter location and the original shifter boot. Plenty of room to dash and works well.
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#20 |
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC
Posts: 420
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
23" fits perfect in my 69, I plan to do the high hump in the future.
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1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Hillsboro, OR
Posts: 80
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I've been daydreaming of that shifter. How's the throw? does it come back far towards the seat? The only thing that keeps me from converting from the column is leaving the middle available for a passenger.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
Thanks for that Ned, I haven't taken anything out of the Lokar box yet and hadn't seen those instructions.
The floor position references help as well, getting more of a warm fuzzy.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: OKC
Posts: 130
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Re: Convert to floor shifter - Lokar specific
I got the shifter installed but haven't done a bind check yet. It shifts through the gears 'okay', maybe a bit sticky around 2nd or 3rd. I don't have a got feel that I'm actually in reverse every time I try it, so still have some tweaking to do.
I didn't have any crossmember issues but I did have to attach the lower cable mounting bracket onto a different set of transmission bolts so the cable would extend completely. I did not mount the shifter in the middle of the tunnel, it's more toward the driver side but nothing that looks bad. I think I can actually use the straight quad arm if I wanted to do that. I went with the 1-1/4" offset arm on the install to begin with. The cable operated shifter was the way to go, thanks for that. Pretty straight forward, cut a slot in the floor and drilled several holes, not too bad. I don't work fast, so it was a morning/afternoon job. Too cold outside right now for me to mess with, at least for a couple days. Thanks for all the help.
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'68 GMC 3/4 Ton 350, 700R4 |
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