Shorter column shift lever

[MikeB]

My 69 truck has a 15" steering wheel and really needs a 2" shorter shift lever than stock. Auto trans, non-tilt.

Suggestions?

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by MikeB

My 69 truck has a 15" steering wheel and really needs a 2" shorter shift lever than stock. Auto trans, non-tilt.

Suggestions?

Hi Mike, we have the short style shift lever on hand/available in new repro for the tilt steering columns, but to my knowledge the short style lever has not been reproe'd yet for any of the non-tilt columns. The column end of the shift levers are different between the tilt and non-tilts (see below pics) so you may be able to try the shorter earlier style 67/68 shift lever or put in a little work and do something custom on your 69/70 lever. For any other needed column related parts and or request, check out the below linked steering column parts board f/s thread. We have a large group of original steering columns for parts pulled and stored along with several shelved bins of OE used, GM NOS and new repro replacement column parts on hand ready to ship out. Mel


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=838093

.

[dagnabbitt]

Isn't the shifter for a three-on-the tree two inches shorter?

[Rich69shortfleet]

I used a shifter handle out of a 64/65 Chevelle automatic column. I had to thin the pivot hole section just a bit to fit into the truck column other than that it dropped right in. BTW, the metal the OEM handles are made from are ridiculously hard so even taking a few thousandths off of it took a while. Even the knob on the handle matches the turnsignal knob better than the original did. Been working fine now for nearly a decade.

And like the OP, I wanted/needed a shorter handle due to having put in a smaller steering wheel.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

I used a shifter handle out of a 64/65 Chevelle automatic column. I had to thin the pivot hole section just a bit to fit into the truck column other than that it dropped right in. BTW, the metal the OEM handles are made from are ridiculously hard so even taking a few thousandths off of it took a while. Even the knob on the handle matches the turnsignal knob better than the original did. Been working fine now for nearly a decade.

And like the OP, I wanted/needed a shorter handle due to having put in a smaller steering wheel.

I bought a 60-66 style shift knob to match the turn signal lever as well. I also have a 15" wheel, the longer lever doesn't bother me, but the mismatched knob did, lol.

[70STOVEBOLT]

I have a '67 column in my '70 and I had to remove a little meat to get it to fit into the column opening as well. I think the difference is in the shape in that area. If you look at the pics Mel posted, it looks like the 67-68 is somewhat rounded and the 69-70 has sharp 90 degree corners in that area.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

I used a shifter handle out of a 64/65 Chevelle automatic column. I had to thin the pivot hole section just a bit to fit into the truck column other than that it dropped right in.

Please elaborate on having to "thin the pivot hole section just a bit." Does that mean you had to decrease the diameter (or thickness) of the lever in the area of the hole?

Also, is the 64/65 Malibu column for tilt or non-tilt, if that even makes a difference.

Thanks.

[70STOVEBOLT]

MikeB see post #6 above.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Classic Bowties

...you may be able to try the shorter earlier style 67/68 shift lever...

I see where the 67-68 lever has a sharper bend rearwards toward the steering wheel. My 69 lever is 2" from the steering wheel at the knob, but moves back 1" when I pull it back to take it out of Park. So it looks like the 67-68 lever might hit the wheel. Can you lay the 67-68 lever on top of the 69-70, lining up the column ends? That way I can see how much farther back the 67/68 is on the knob end. Whew!