shifter question

[steppside69]

Hi all,

I had a question, The truck I have had a manual tranny,(3 on the tree) while the linkage always would freeze up and from being young and aggressive driver, I broke the shifter and decided it was time to remove the manual and put in an auto.

So on to my question, It had a manual I put in an auto (tranny), I had to find a auto/steering column. well the only one I found at the time didnt have the shifter(I dont know what year truck it came out of either).

I know there are different year shifters but, how do you tell them apart? A casting #? I made a shifter from a 1978 blazer work by grinding the end down.But it doesnt work very well.

I think the auto and manual shifers are different(auto I think is longer?) If anyone can help let me know
Thanks steppside69