B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gmc1971harwich · 01-11-2010, 10:04 PM

Ok, so ive gotten completey frustrated with the crappy operation of my column shifter on my truck its non tilt. im going to buy a B&M unimatic shifter, has anyone had experience with this shifter? im on a mega low budget. Anybody know if i can utilize the shift linkage on the column as shift indicator as the unimatic has no shift indicator? maybe tie it in to the cable operation? just wondering if anyones tried this yet. planning on doing this when i get my taxes back so itl be a while trying to plan it out first before trying it.

oldblue1968chevy · 01-11-2010, 10:07 PM

im interested on how you do this..may go auto (not sure yet like a man. also..anything but 3ott)

turp mcspray · 01-11-2010, 10:26 PM

I bought one back in the mid 80's. If it's the one I'm thinking of (a bare bones shifter that looks like a 4 speed) They used to be mechanical linkage back then. It worked but I would HIGHLY recommend saving up a little more money, and at least get a Z-gate. It would be a much better shifter.

**Hart_Rod** · 01-12-2010, 12:00 AM

Why not try a Lokar or Kugel shift arm kit? They are only about $60 from summit or jegs and they work great.

RanchFlyer · 01-12-2010, 01:12 AM

I used a unimatic in the early 90's. Never was happy. I would suggest steering clear. Just my opinion.

turp mcspray · 01-12-2010, 03:35 PM

Have you looked for a used shifter? I have a hard time believing that you wouldn't be able to any B&M shifter of your choice for $50 or so.

Custom 68 · 01-12-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Why not try a Lokar or Kugel shift arm kit? They are only about $60 from summit or jegs and they work great.

I think I am going to swap to a manual tranny but otherwise I would look like suggested at these arm kits. I think you get alot of adjustability and should take care of the problems
Dave

stevewhitmore · 01-12-2010, 07:01 PM

I have the same problem with my 69 column shifter being real sloppy and shifts without pulling back on the shifter, if you bump it , it shifts out of park.
Would the lokar or Kugal shift arm kits resolve those problems with the same column shifter?

cparman · 01-12-2010, 07:11 PM

If that is a ratchet style shifter, I have the perfect place for it. In the trash. I hate those things. I have installed a couple of the Lokar floor shifters, and they seem to work nice, and kind of look like a 4 speed granny gear shifter. I would not do a lokar in my trucks. Column shift all the way!

drewdude92 · 01-13-2010, 02:44 PM

i have a b&m unimatic that i installed a few weeks ago it works great and was easy to install

gmc1971harwich · 01-13-2010, 07:17 PM

drewdude did u figure out how to incorporate a shift indicator into it?

QKENUF4U · 01-13-2010, 10:01 PM

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

gmc1971harwich · 01-14-2010, 11:14 PM

does this shifter have a backup switch and neutral safety switch? cant find on website if it does or doesnt

drewdude92 · 01-18-2010, 09:07 PM

it comes with a sticker thing lol and it has a safety nuetral switch but not a reverse light thingy

chevy72pu · 01-18-2010, 10:28 PM

I installed one of these last summer. Mine is cable operated. Install was less than one day. Looks GREAT! Works ok. Maybe I could fine tune it, but it will shift into reverse or park w/o having to press down on the shifter like it says. I have Dakota Digital guages including shift indicator so no linkage was necessary. If I had it to do over again I would probably spring for a little more sophisticated unit.

68C15 · 01-18-2010, 10:56 PM

what's wrong with the column? I would think fixing it to be cheaper and more reliable.

gmc1971harwich · 01-18-2010, 11:20 PM

havent bought anything yet, im leaning now towards keeping the column shift but updating the linkage witha lokar unit.

stevewhitmore · 01-19-2010, 08:14 AM

Let me know how it goes with the lokar shift linkage, I am thinking about the same thing to possibly eliminate the sloppiness in my column shifter

gmc1971harwich · 06-12-2010, 09:46 PM

update i bought the lokar linkage and havent installed it yet. been busy with work and a new baby. getting very frustrated with the other stuff associated with column shift like the 3rd neutral safety switch shorting out, and trying to find the right lens for the 700r4. Ive come to the decision of getting rid of the column shift stuff and getting a hurst promatic. already has all the new components including cable. no linkage to mess with.

BHyatt · 06-12-2010, 10:37 PM

My truck had one when I bought it. One of the first things i did was find the parts to go back to the column.

01-11-2010, 10:04 PM	#1
gmc1971harwich Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cape cod, ma. Posts: 394	B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! Ok, so ive gotten completey frustrated with the crappy operation of my column shifter on my truck its non tilt. im going to buy a B&M unimatic shifter, has anyone had experience with this shifter? im on a mega low budget. Anybody know if i can utilize the shift linkage on the column as shift indicator as the unimatic has no shift indicator? maybe tie it in to the cable operation? just wondering if anyones tried this yet. planning on doing this when i get my taxes back so itl be a while trying to plan it out first before trying it.

01-11-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! im interested on how you do this..may go auto (not sure yet like a man. also..anything but 3ott) __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

01-11-2010, 10:26 PM	#3
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! I bought one back in the mid 80's. If it's the one I'm thinking of (a bare bones shifter that looks like a 4 speed) They used to be mechanical linkage back then. It worked but I would HIGHLY recommend saving up a little more money, and at least get a Z-gate. It would be a much better shifter. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

01-12-2010, 12:00 AM	#4
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,841	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! Why not try a Lokar or Kugel shift arm kit? They are only about $60 from summit or jegs and they work great. __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

01-12-2010, 01:12 AM	#5
RanchFlyer Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Flint, TX Posts: 147	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! I used a unimatic in the early 90's. Never was happy. I would suggest steering clear. Just my opinion.

01-12-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
turp mcspray Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 2,359	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! Have you looked for a used shifter? I have a hard time believing that you wouldn't be able to any B&M shifter of your choice for $50 or so. __________________ Turp Mcspray New life for an old 2wd, farm blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=505987 My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342299

01-12-2010, 07:01 PM	#8
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! I have the same problem with my 69 column shifter being real sloppy and shifts without pulling back on the shifter, if you bump it , it shifts out of park. Would the lokar or Kugal shift arm kits resolve those problems with the same column shifter?

01-12-2010, 07:11 PM	#9
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! If that is a ratchet style shifter, I have the perfect place for it. In the trash. I hate those things. I have installed a couple of the Lokar floor shifters, and they seem to work nice, and kind of look like a 4 speed granny gear shifter. I would not do a lokar in my trucks. Column shift all the way!

01-13-2010, 02:44 PM	#10
drewdude92 72 chevys 4 life Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Crescent,Ok Posts: 406	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! i have a b&m unimatic that i installed a few weeks ago it works great and was easy to install __________________ I dont call it being young and dumb....I call it young and havin fun

01-13-2010, 07:17 PM	#11
gmc1971harwich Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cape cod, ma. Posts: 394	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! drewdude did u figure out how to incorporate a shift indicator into it?

01-13-2010, 10:01 PM	#12
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a%3DN%26um%3D1

01-14-2010, 11:14 PM	#13
gmc1971harwich Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cape cod, ma. Posts: 394	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! does this shifter have a backup switch and neutral safety switch? cant find on website if it does or doesnt

01-18-2010, 09:07 PM	#14
drewdude92 72 chevys 4 life Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Crescent,Ok Posts: 406	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! it comes with a sticker thing lol and it has a safety nuetral switch but not a reverse light thingy __________________ I dont call it being young and dumb....I call it young and havin fun

01-18-2010, 10:28 PM	#15
chevy72pu Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sandersville, GA Posts: 298	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! I installed one of these last summer. Mine is cable operated. Install was less than one day. Looks GREAT! Works ok. Maybe I could fine tune it, but it will shift into reverse or park w/o having to press down on the shifter like it says. I have Dakota Digital guages including shift indicator so no linkage was necessary. If I had it to do over again I would probably spring for a little more sophisticated unit. Attached Images __________________ How 'Bout them Dawgs! '10 Traverse LTZ 03 Silverado Z71 ext cab 99 Yamaha Grizzly 600 72 C10 350/350 sportside bed. 68 C30 flatbed. 350 4-speed. "I've got a good memory, it's just short!"

01-18-2010, 10:56 PM	#16
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! what's wrong with the column? I would think fixing it to be cheaper and more reliable.



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01-18-2010, 11:20 PM	#17
gmc1971harwich Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cape cod, ma. Posts: 394	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! havent bought anything yet, im leaning now towards keeping the column shift but updating the linkage witha lokar unit.

01-19-2010, 08:14 AM	#18
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! Let me know how it goes with the lokar shift linkage, I am thinking about the same thing to possibly eliminate the sloppiness in my column shifter

06-12-2010, 09:46 PM	#19
gmc1971harwich Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cape cod, ma. Posts: 394	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! update i bought the lokar linkage and havent installed it yet. been busy with work and a new baby. getting very frustrated with the other stuff associated with column shift like the 3rd neutral safety switch shorting out, and trying to find the right lens for the 700r4. Ive come to the decision of getting rid of the column shift stuff and getting a hurst promatic. already has all the new components including cable. no linkage to mess with.

06-12-2010, 10:37 PM	#20
BHyatt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Castle, IN Posts: 199	Re: B&M Unimatic shifter going to give it a try done with column shift! My truck had one when I bought it. One of the first things i did was find the parts to go back to the column.

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