Shifter Linkage Adjustment?

[53GMC]

hey guys...i have my project coming along nicely ( or at least i believe so)

but i am having a small issue with my shifter linkage ...im using the stock 1996 S10 steering wheel in my swap and am still using the column shifter...however, it real tough to shift it all the way down into drive and the lever pulls down almost all the way in the shifter range before it reaches drive...runs out of room to shift before it reaches 2 or 3...think it is because my linkage is a little crazy off and may be too loose since I just recently hooked up the linkage....

any ideas on how to adjust it or do I need to consider just going with a floor shifter?

thanks in advance to all you great guys out there who keep my project moving!!

[OrrieG]

On most older gm products the length of the lever from the center of the steering column to the shift rod attachment and the length of the transmission lever from the center of the shift shaft to the shirt rod attachment have to be the same. If the are not the column arm will move to much or not enough and can get caught in a detent with the trans arm engaging two gear points. That is what I think you are describing, the lever on the transmission sounds like it is longer than the one on the column so it moves much farther than the one on the transmission. It took me a while to figure that out on mine (82 cad column, th350 trans) until I found a post on the problem on line. If that is not it maybe some photos will offer a clue?

[blackdiesel]

I'm sure it can be adjusted to work correctly. However the floor shifters are AWESOME! Love mine, have on in my 38 and 57. dad recently put one in his 56 bel air. i'll never go to a column shifter again. its so easy to slip it down in to passing gear if you have a pesky kid trying to race you. Or if you want to increase your engine RPM to make your pipes louder yeah yeah i am a kid blah blah blah

[BlueJeep]

If you're using the stock 96 column, it's cable shift not linkage shift. What all did you disconnect and then re-connect, sounds like something was changed. And the obvious question, is the cable routed cleanly with no sharp bends?

[OrrieG]

Mine does have a B&M cable between the column and transmission, priciple is the same they both have to move thru the same radius. I had a floor shift but got tired of my kids kicking it out of gear when bouncing around out in the woods.

[53GMC]

it doesn't have any sharp bends in the line and that was what I originally looked to correct...it is hooked up the exact same way as it was but aparently there must be something I am overlooking...since the floor shifters have been praised so, i might just go with one of those...