3 on the tree to 3 on the floor

[GMC65Guy]

how hard is it to convert to 3 on the floor? I've seen a universal kit thats only 100 bucks... not much to it, parts wise. Any ideas?

[blackedoutharley]

They are relatively easy to install but remember that you have to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter.

If the column shifter works I am all for leaving it be; why cut up something if you don't have to?

YMMV

[kdrodworks316]

I have done several of these swaps, easy deal. I use a 3" hole saw to do the hole in the floor and have used the mr. gasket truck shifter with years of trouble free service. Alot of people dont like the mr.g stuff, but I have never had any problems with the shifters.

[skullboydeath]

Ill be doing this next week the mr gasket kit what i got. the transmssion is already out of the truck(going to rebuild it ) so I did a mock up Very easy and the directions was very clear

[GMC65Guy]

Either my 3 on the tree is loose or its pretty damn tricky, sometimes I cant get it to fully engage in 2nd or
3rd, but it seems that if i put the shifter in reverse it lines it all back up and makes it much easier to shift 1-3.

@ skullboy can you post a link to the shifter you wil be using?

[skullboydeath]

I didn't order mine online got it off the shelf at Advance auto. But Iam pretty sure this is the one I got.

http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...goryCode=3351C

[AllenKarber]

I would buy the Hurst Indy 3-speed before I bought the Mr. Gasket one. My Dad converted to a floor shift,and the Mr. Gasket shifter he bought from the parts store didn't last long at all before it started hanging up.

I bought him a Hurst Indy off Ebay,and you could tell the difference immediately. It's just a better shifter all the way. It retails for a lot more,but it would be worth it. I got a new one off Ebay for 60 bucks though!

[kevindtimm]

+1 on the high quality shifter. The $50-100 shifters have a REALLY bad habit of binding up in any gate transition (moving from R1 to 23 or vice versa).

The difference between the high quality and low quality shifter is huge, spend the money!

[MikeN]

I recently swapped the little Saginaw 3-speed in my 64 C10 for a much beefier, all-synchro Muncie 3-speed. I had no luck finding and/or modifying shift rods to keep the column shifter, so I went with a Hurst Mastershift floorshifter, It was pricey, but turned out VERY nice. This also required driveshaft shortening and rebalancing.

Whatever shifter you decide to use, there is no need to cut a gaping hole in the floor. I used a hole saw as stated in a post above, and then opened up the hole very slightly as needed with a die grinder once I had the shift handle installed.

[big_al_71]

Does anyone have picts of this shifter installed on the floor?

I am having the same problem with my column shifter getting stuck to the point I have to pull to the side of the road and hit the linkage under the hood then maybe I get lucky and it engages..

[kdrodworks316]

I can get you a pic in the morning, My MR. G shifter has worked great for 4 years in my 53 f**d customline.

[LIVE RUST]

SAVE THE TREES! Maybe I'm an idiot but I had a 67 with a tree shift and I LOVED that thing. It's harder to steal.

[GMC65Guy]

Originally Posted by LIVE RUST

SAVE THE TREES! Maybe I'm an idiot but I had a 67 with a tree shift and I LOVED that thing. It's harder to steal.

I'm def. trying to keep mine but its getting kind of annoying. I wont ever take it out, just disconnect it if i decide to go to the floor

[ChiefRocka]

I also went with the Hurst Indy Universal in the Chief....simple to install, and I slam gears ALL the time with no problems...

[ValveTubeHead]

Originally Posted by GMC65Guy

I'm def. trying to keep mine but its getting kind of annoying. I wont ever take it out, just disconnect it if i decide to go to the floor

have you inspected the linkages at all...mine were severely worn after 44yrs...it's quite simple to replace them; if you weld...they're easy to repair im told.

call me a tree hugger...i dig mine

[GMC65Guy]

Originally Posted by ValveTubeHead

have you inspected the linkages at all...mine were severely worn after 44yrs...it's quite simple to replace them; if you weld...they're easy to repair im told.

call me a tree hugger...i dig mine

My linkage is pretty loose, I usually get the darn thing locked up going from
1-2. It's hard to find nuetral in it sometimes which causes problems when trying to shift.

[ValveTubeHead]

Originally Posted by GMC65Guy

My linkage is pretty loose, I usually get the darn thing locked up going from
1-2. It's hard to find nuetral in it sometimes which causes problems when trying to shift.

you'll want to check all rod ends any associated grommets where connections are made...its quite possible they are worn or grommet missing. Have a buddy help by going through the gears (engne off, of course) while you inspect the mechanism/engagement...there's not a whole lot there, but it wouldn't surprise me if you discover the source of the slop.

[merlin65]

Get the hurst. Shifts like it should. Only problem I have is it kind of wants to hit the seat just slightly. Feels so much better than the tree. but I just unhooked the tree and put the linkages up just in case...

[ol Curt]

How long is the shifter.? Does it look like a truck shifter...i.e. in length?