Shorter column shift lever

[oneshotkyle]

Having bought a 70 tilt column for mine and putting a 13” wheel on i ended up finding some info and ordered a 2” shorter version. Thought this illustration might help a few of you

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

I just remembered, I did a thread on my handle swap.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=shift+lever

Well written documentary. Funny stuff!

I especially liked the part about using this type of metal for war machines.

[Rich69shortfleet]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Well written documentary. Funny stuff!

I especially liked the part about using this type of metal for war machines.

I know GM wanted these important parts to be durable but sheesh this stuff is hard! I have to wonder if the aftermarket/repo parts are made as well and are as hard.

[MikeB]

Here's what I have.

[MikeB]

The big picture:

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I see where the 67-68 lever has a sharper bend rearwards toward the steering wheel. My 69 lever is 2" from the steering wheel at the knob, but moves back 1" when I pull it back to take it out of Park. So it looks like the 67-68 lever might hit the wheel. Can you lay the 67-68 lever on top of the 69-70, lining up the column ends? That way I can see how much farther back the 67/68 is on the knob end.

Hi Mike, I haven't had the time or chance to get the requested shift lever picture and info for you until this past weekend, here is an earlier style OE 67-68 shift lever sitting on top of the later style OE 69-70 shift lever with a shift pin dropped thru both to line up and show the differences in lever profile and overall length. In my opinion, I do not think that you'd have any lever to steering wheel clearance issue due to the earlier 67-68 style shift lever having sharper bends at each end of the lever, one bend towards wheel and one away. Per your sent pm, we would have the shorter style 67-68 shift lever available in either GM NOS or OE used, hope these pics help out some. Mel
.

[MikeB]

Mel, thanks. Check your PMs.

[dagnabbitt]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

Isn't the shifter for a three-on-the tree two inches shorter?

This is an interesting thread, I realize now that the reason why I thought the above is because my three on the tree was in a 67. Glad I saved the shifter, I am going to go look for it.

I am pretty sure that I also have a 67 shifter on my 1972 with tilt: I have an OBS steering wheel on it, and it really works/looks great.

[MikeB]

Ended up using an aftermarket 67-68 lever. Had to round off the ball end a little because it was more square than round. Also had to hog out the roll pin hole by around .002".

I have a 67-68 knob, but I like the 69 better. It was a real PITA taking the knob off the 69 lever. I actually cleaned it up by sanding with 400, 1000, and 2000 grit and then polishing compound. Shines like new!

Before and after photos. Difference in length is around 1.5" and I think the 67-68 lever looks nicer because it's a little closer to the wheel (back towards the driver). Lots of work for little gain, but, hey, all the little details add up!

[MikeB]

Question: Is the roll pin supposed to be a tight fit in the shift bowl holes, or in the lever hole? Seems like it wouldn't make sense for it to rotate in the softer metal. But I think that's how my stock setup worked. At least it did after 56 years of use.

The pin is a fairly tight tap-in fit in the new lever, and it rotates in the shift bowl holes, where the fit is snug, but not tight.

So maybe in another 20 years, the truck will need a new shift bowl or a .001" oversize roll pin!