3/4 Ton Long to Short & Static Drop Square One

[kitsbeach]

Figured I could make a new shifter out of an old 4-speed shifter I picked up. Took a look at a few Hurst shifter models for ideas.

[kitsbeach]

By the way the SM465 4-speed crossmember is different than the TH350 crossmember that would have fit my saginaw perfectly.

I didn't remember to take pictures but was just barely able to get the crossmember moved forward enough to attach my trans mount.

I was too impatient to stop and go find the right crossmember, but that would have been the better way to go.

Next time I'm under the truck I'll get a picture and try to post it in here.

[kitsbeach]

This is what the TH350 crossmember looks like in my other truck (1977 C20). This would fit a saginaw or a muncie 4-speed or T10.

[kitsbeach]

I had to bend up my shifter boot frame to fit the awkward position at the back of the high hump.

I just went slowly with the vice grips and screwed it in place as I went and it worked out quit nice.

These are actually double layer shift boots, which should be quieter, but I don't know if I have the patience to bend up the second layer and I'm missing the second boot anyway although I have the frame.

[kitsbeach]

[kitsbeach]

Driving it today. Shifts nice.

One thing I will say is that this Saginaw was from a 6-cylinder and has a very low first gear. The V8 version with a milder first gear would be a closer ratio and a milder jump.

Also this motor, while strong, has the small 1.72 intake valves, so it doesn't like to rev. The combination makes it a pretty slow speed cruiser.

I'm deciding how much I want to spend on this thing but, if I get into it more, might swap on some small chamber 1.94 heads. Of course then I might think about an overdrive trans like a TKX/TKO600/T56 and on and on it goes....

Here's today's pics

[kitsbeach]

That dent in the front is bugging me more than it used to. Its right on a crease so it might be hard to get out. Maybe I can find somebody with some actual skills to give it a try.