3 Speed Floor Shifters - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

earlthegoat2 · 12-27-2011, 06:56 PM

The Piece of Crap truck I just bought has a converted floor shift that flat out stinks.

I was thinking an upgrade to a Hurst would be in order. My first question is whether anyone has had experience with a crappy converted floor shifter such as the ones sold by Spectre as well as experience with a Hurst unit such as the Mastershift or the Indy.

I am really wondering whether there is a big difference. I have most of my experience with car Hurst shifters from 60s and 70s muscle cars as well as the factory SM 465 shifter. There is a night and day difference between these and the craptastic one that is in my truck.

Im assuming the Mastershift is better but at over 300 dollars for the shifter and installation kit I just dont know. I will buy it if it is worth it though. Or maybe the Indy is just fine. Any recommendations?

bsteele · 12-27-2011, 07:25 PM

I have the Indy Hurst in mine. I just got it running and only have went around the yard a few times. No problems with it. Shifts great. I went about a quarter mile down the road and tached it up and shifted hard with no problems. I actually got the shifter at pull a part for like 15 bucks and then a few months later picked up a 3 speed for a racing buddy that had one on it, didn't even get charged for the shifter.

earlthegoat2 · 12-27-2011, 08:42 PM

Is it true that Hurst has discontinued the installation kit for the truck Mastershift shifter or can you just use the one for the cars?

cstm68 · 12-27-2011, 10:26 PM

i had the hurst indy in mine before it went to a 4 speed. it was a great shifter, still have it and plan on puting it into another truck if i end up with a 3 speed truck someday

earlthegoat2 · 12-27-2011, 10:51 PM

Yeah, it looks like the installation kit for the trucks has been discontinued. Kind of wierd.

I guess Im going to have to either try out the Indy shifter or just go with an automatic or find another SM465. Im not going to deal with a manual transmission that does not have a quality shifter. I dont really like what I am reading about the Indys in some of the threads on here either.

sean1969c10 · 12-27-2011, 11:04 PM

I had a Hurst Indy in a 67 F100 and it was flawless. I have another Hurst in my 76 K10 and it works great too. This one replaced a really crappy off brand thing that I couldn't make work to save my soul. I had to drill a couple holes to mount it and use the off brand shift rods with the shifter because all I was given was the shifter, with no brackets or rods, and Hurst doesn't make a 3spd shifter for a 4x4 anyway. The Hurst stuff is nice and I think you will be happy.

MikeyMan · 12-28-2011, 07:11 AM

I installed a Hurst Indy several years ago when my column linkage got too sloppy.

No problems with it at all, it has performed very well. The installation was fairly easy and it looks fantastic. I hated to cut my floor on my stock original 71 C/10, but I needed reliability the "tree" no longer provided. I have the black rubber floor mat and with the small shifter boot it looks great. Black & Chrome!
Recommended.

splehigh · 12-28-2011, 07:17 AM

I replaced mine with a Hurst Indy right after I bought the truck. No problems so far. I just wish the handle was taller.

daveo68 · 12-28-2011, 03:44 PM

If you can afford a higher priced Hurst do it. I installed a $50.00 universal shifter in my truck and after 2 hours of modifying and trying to adjust linkages, I gave up.Finally shelled out about $300 bucks to get a good Hurst and had it installed in 30 minutes. Was really worth the money.

earlthegoat2 · 12-28-2011, 05:14 PM

After careful examination of the two pictures of the Mastershift installation kits it seems the only difference is the reverse interlock between the trucks (PN-3677143) and Chevy/Olds/Pont/Buick(PN-3670010) car kits.

Thinking about rolling the dice.....

As long as the mounting plate is the same I can fabricate it from there I think.

The truck kit fits El Caminos too. If I remember correctly, there is not much difference between an El Camino and a Chevelle mechanically. So it would stand to reason the car kits would work just fine with little or no modification. The shift lever height is the only thing that matters at that point.

I cant begin to understand why Hurst continues to sell the Truck shifter without the accommodating install kit. It is like selling a gun of which no ammo exists.

long69 · 12-28-2011, 10:10 PM

consider the mr. gasket that maybe still available on @#$)$#y. before i bought mine it seemed to be a solid shifter by the accounts of what i read. BUT i have not installed mine because-- my on the tree is still ok and i have seen that the throw on them seems to be a mile also i have a hurst from a 66 le mans that maybe could work. i chose to go cheepo cuz 3 to 4 hundred clams is too much, my money would be better off putting it towards a 4 to 6 speed when ever that happens.

earlthegoat2 · 12-29-2011, 06:29 AM

Thats the rub. It is an expensive upgrade for a measly 3 speed.

I look at it this way. There a few reasons people choose to ditch the three speed. One is that it is just not a fashionable tranny anymore. OK thats fine. Im not big into fashion.

Two is that the gear ratios are kind of bad even for a 3 speed. It is too bad it does not have the same ratios as 2-4 in the SM465. I always liked them.

Third (and this is the big one) is that there are no decent shifters for them. Be they on the column or on the floor. You have to shell out big bucks for one. Many four speeds seem to come with decent shifters or at least they are more attainable at a lower price. For me I have this beater and I dont want to do a trans swap that will cost more than the replacement shifter. Once this tranny has a decent shifter it will be a joy to drive it.

fastwillie 696969 · 12-29-2011, 11:28 AM

i just swap to a 4 spd trans

wilbilt · 12-29-2011, 12:23 PM

I bought a '70 C-10 once that had a cheapo junk floor shifter in it. It would bend about every 10 shifts and get jammed.

I rebuilt the column linkage and put it back to 3 on the tree. I loved it.

long69 · 12-29-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earlthegoat2

. Once this tranny has a decent shifter it will be a joy to drive it.

exactly. my truck is fun to drive it's just it would be a blast to drive with a well matched 4 or 5 speed. its more money than i can spend though.

Dano69c10 · 12-29-2011, 08:42 PM

Does anyone know if the longer shifter bar from the truck 3-speed shifter from Spectre (the cheaper brand), work on the Hurst Indy Shifter?
http://store.spectreperformance.com/...413/2231.0.1.1

Pillow · 12-30-2011, 12:18 AM

T-5 conversion. If you are thrifty, under 500 can get you 5 forward gears for not much more effort!

That being said, if you like the 3 on the tree the bushings are not that hard to replace either.

earlthegoat2 · 12-30-2011, 04:08 AM

The problem is the PO of the truck replaced the column with an auto column so I would have to locate a TotT column first, then the linkage. I know it can be done but this truck is a beater.

A T-5 conversion though? Hmmmm.

There is an SM465 for sale locally for 300. Would I have to change the driveshaft?

12-27-2011, 06:56 PM	#1
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	3 Speed Floor Shifters The Piece of Crap truck I just bought has a converted floor shift that flat out stinks. I was thinking an upgrade to a Hurst would be in order. My first question is whether anyone has had experience with a crappy converted floor shifter such as the ones sold by Spectre as well as experience with a Hurst unit such as the Mastershift or the Indy. I am really wondering whether there is a big difference. I have most of my experience with car Hurst shifters from 60s and 70s muscle cars as well as the factory SM 465 shifter. There is a night and day difference between these and the craptastic one that is in my truck. Im assuming the Mastershift is better but at over 300 dollars for the shifter and installation kit I just dont know. I will buy it if it is worth it though. Or maybe the Indy is just fine. Any recommendations?

12-27-2011, 07:25 PM	#2
bsteele Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kershaw, South Carolina Posts: 113	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters I have the Indy Hurst in mine. I just got it running and only have went around the yard a few times. No problems with it. Shifts great. I went about a quarter mile down the road and tached it up and shifted hard with no problems. I actually got the shifter at pull a part for like 15 bucks and then a few months later picked up a 3 speed for a racing buddy that had one on it, didn't even get charged for the shifter.

12-27-2011, 08:42 PM	#3
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters Is it true that Hurst has discontinued the installation kit for the truck Mastershift shifter or can you just use the one for the cars?

12-27-2011, 10:26 PM	#4
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters i had the hurst indy in mine before it went to a 4 speed. it was a great shifter, still have it and plan on puting it into another truck if i end up with a 3 speed truck someday __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

12-27-2011, 10:51 PM	#5
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters Yeah, it looks like the installation kit for the trucks has been discontinued. Kind of wierd. I guess Im going to have to either try out the Indy shifter or just go with an automatic or find another SM465. Im not going to deal with a manual transmission that does not have a quality shifter. I dont really like what I am reading about the Indys in some of the threads on here either.

12-27-2011, 11:04 PM	#6
sean1969c10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Powhatan, Va. Posts: 376	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters I had a Hurst Indy in a 67 F100 and it was flawless. I have another Hurst in my 76 K10 and it works great too. This one replaced a really crappy off brand thing that I couldn't make work to save my soul. I had to drill a couple holes to mount it and use the off brand shift rods with the shifter because all I was given was the shifter, with no brackets or rods, and Hurst doesn't make a 3spd shifter for a 4x4 anyway. The Hurst stuff is nice and I think you will be happy. __________________ Sean "If your gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough" 1960 Chevy Impala Sedan - my 25 year search is over!! 1969 C-10 longbed - Nice day DD 1970 Chevy Nova - Street and Strip Project 2002 Acura MDX my DD 2007 Honda Odssey - My Wife's "Mommy Van"

12-28-2011, 07:11 AM	#7
MikeyMan Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.W. Chicago, IL. Posts: 317	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters I installed a Hurst Indy several years ago when my column linkage got too sloppy. No problems with it at all, it has performed very well. The installation was fairly easy and it looks fantastic. I hated to cut my floor on my stock original 71 C/10, but I needed reliability the "tree" no longer provided. I have the black rubber floor mat and with the small shifter boot it looks great. Black & Chrome! Recommended.

12-28-2011, 07:17 AM	#8
splehigh Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glenville, Pa Posts: 445	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters I replaced mine with a Hurst Indy right after I bought the truck. No problems so far. I just wish the handle was taller. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=355153

12-28-2011, 03:44 PM	#9
daveo68 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington,NC Posts: 503	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters If you can afford a higher priced Hurst do it. I installed a $50.00 universal shifter in my truck and after 2 hours of modifying and trying to adjust linkages, I gave up.Finally shelled out about $300 bucks to get a good Hurst and had it installed in 30 minutes. Was really worth the money. __________________ 68 C-10 Custom LWB 307 V8 Lexington,NC davideowens@lexcominc.net God Bless America

12-28-2011, 05:14 PM	#10
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters After careful examination of the two pictures of the Mastershift installation kits it seems the only difference is the reverse interlock between the trucks (PN-3677143) and Chevy/Olds/Pont/Buick(PN-3670010) car kits. Thinking about rolling the dice..... As long as the mounting plate is the same I can fabricate it from there I think. The truck kit fits El Caminos too. If I remember correctly, there is not much difference between an El Camino and a Chevelle mechanically. So it would stand to reason the car kits would work just fine with little or no modification. The shift lever height is the only thing that matters at that point. I cant begin to understand why Hurst continues to sell the Truck shifter without the accommodating install kit. It is like selling a gun of which no ammo exists.

12-28-2011, 10:10 PM	#11
long69 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: lost angeles Posts: 159	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters consider the mr. gasket that maybe still available on @#$)$#y. before i bought mine it seemed to be a solid shifter by the accounts of what i read. BUT i have not installed mine because-- my on the tree is still ok and i have seen that the throw on them seems to be a mile also i have a hurst from a 66 le mans that maybe could work. i chose to go cheepo cuz 3 to 4 hundred clams is too much, my money would be better off putting it towards a 4 to 6 speed when ever that happens.

12-29-2011, 06:29 AM	#12
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters Thats the rub. It is an expensive upgrade for a measly 3 speed. I look at it this way. There a few reasons people choose to ditch the three speed. One is that it is just not a fashionable tranny anymore. OK thats fine. Im not big into fashion. Two is that the gear ratios are kind of bad even for a 3 speed. It is too bad it does not have the same ratios as 2-4 in the SM465. I always liked them. Third (and this is the big one) is that there are no decent shifters for them. Be they on the column or on the floor. You have to shell out big bucks for one. Many four speeds seem to come with decent shifters or at least they are more attainable at a lower price. For me I have this beater and I dont want to do a trans swap that will cost more than the replacement shifter. Once this tranny has a decent shifter it will be a joy to drive it.

12-29-2011, 11:28 AM	#13
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters i just swap to a 4 spd trans __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

12-29-2011, 12:23 PM	#14
wilbilt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 189	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters I bought a '70 C-10 once that had a cheapo junk floor shifter in it. It would bend about every 10 shifts and get jammed. I rebuilt the column linkage and put it back to 3 on the tree. I loved it. __________________ 1971 GMC C2500 Custom Camper - Second Owner. 350/TH350, Dana 60 Rear.

12-29-2011, 08:42 PM	#16
Dano69c10 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario, Kali Posts: 2,427	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters Does anyone know if the longer shifter bar from the truck 3-speed shifter from Spectre (the cheaper brand), work on the Hurst Indy Shifter? http://store.spectreperformance.com/...413/2231.0.1.1 __________________ '69 Fleet It ain't yours, if you didn't build it! Last edited by Dano69c10; 12-29-2011 at 08:52 PM.



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12-30-2011, 12:18 AM	#17
Pillow Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Warrenton VA Posts: 144	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters T-5 conversion. If you are thrifty, under 500 can get you 5 forward gears for not much more effort! That being said, if you like the 3 on the tree the bushings are not that hard to replace either. __________________ '71 C-10 with 5.3 LS2 cam & NWC T5 - Patina King! '83 Jeep Cherokee w 5.3 LS9 cam & SM465 NP208 swap in progress '92 Volvo 960 wagon w 5.3 LS7 cam & WC T5 swap in progress '79 Porsche 911 SC '48 Spartan Mansion 30' travel trailer '10 Porsche Cayenne S - Daily

12-30-2011, 04:08 AM	#18
earlthegoat2 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 104	Re: 3 Speed Floor Shifters The problem is the PO of the truck replaced the column with an auto column so I would have to locate a TotT column first, then the linkage. I know it can be done but this truck is a beater. A T-5 conversion though? Hmmmm. There is an SM465 for sale locally for 300. Would I have to change the driveshaft?

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