55.2-59 Transmission Fun

[2bo.c10]

Hi Everyone -

I think I scored in buying my 58 fleetside from the 2nd owner! He bought it in 1962 for $500! I'm not sure about you guys, but Ive found that getting one of these trucks from the original owner (or near original owner) is a blessing and a curse. Its a blessing because you can get the full history of the truck, but a curse because they've had it so long that they've kept it running by doing funny, weird fixes to them. This brings me to my issue at hand:

The previous owner of my truck converted the truck from 3-on-the-tree to 3spd floor shift. I do not believe its the original trans. That in and of itself isnt weird - but what he did to the shift linkage is one of those funny, weird fixes that was unique to him. He changed the shift linkage so the shift pattern is now as follows:

Upper left: 1st gear (Where 1st gear should be)
Lower left: REVERSE (where 2nd should be)
Upper Right: 2nd Gear (Where 3rd gear should be)
Lower Right: 3rd Gear (where Reverse should be)

Has anyone ever heard of this and if so, how do I fix this?!

The trans that in the truck now does not allow for the speedo cable to be connected because the shift linkage is in the way. I will try to get some pics tomorrow of the trans and the linkage.

Thanks!

-T.