Floor shifter conversion question???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

red wasp · 02-12-2010, 06:38 PM

Hey guys kinda new here but I just got a 69 lwb that has a manual with three on the tree. I recently bought a floor shifter "universal" conversion kit for it and everything seems to mount up but the speedometer cable that is coming out of the transmission is right in the way of one of the shifter arms. Has anyone else encountered this problem?? If so could you maybe give me some advise on what you did to fix it. The only think that I could think of is to try and find a 90 degree fitting for the cable or just cap it off and go with out one, but I didn't think that this was going to be a problem when I bought the kit, any pointers would be helpful and Ill try and take some pictures if that helps. Thanks.

71 super · 02-12-2010, 06:59 PM

Piece of advice, find a set of the bronze bushings to replace the nylon crap they send with the shifter as it will improve the shift characteristics greatly. Good luck with the aftermarket shifters, the cheap ones are horrid at best. The last three speed truck I bought had a aftermarket cheap set in it. I ended up ripping it off the transmission after it stopped shifting from first to second without physically stopping the truck and starting again - before you say adjustment, I spent three hours under the truck doing everything possible including heim ends etc. I finally found a good three speed column and replaced what the previous owner had removed. I say this because the column even in its worst is better than most of the cheap shifter for three speeds out there. JMO and good luck.

junkyardjohn · 02-12-2010, 07:11 PM

Couldn't have said it better.. Universal usually = junk that aughta work??

john

697498chevy · 02-12-2010, 07:42 PM

Been thru two Hurst Indy? floor shifters in the last 15 years or so . They work fine for me , but I quit speed shifting many years ago . First shifter failed because mounting bracket broke . I'm thinking Hurst offers a higher end shifter , too . Sorry , don't remember any speedo issues .

red wasp · 02-13-2010, 02:35 PM

Thanks, Ya the shifter wasnt my first choice but I got it for christmas and finally got around to putting it on last week, I wanted to get the hurst but after I tried to take it back they were going to charge me a 15% restocking fee even if I was going to up grade.... so I just figured I would give this one a try.

Leviticus · 02-15-2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red wasp

Thanks, Ya the shifter wasnt my first choice but I got it for christmas and finally got around to putting it on last week, I wanted to get the hurst but after I tried to take it back they were going to charge me a 15% restocking fee even if I was going to up grade.... so I just figured I would give this one a try.

Do you like it? I have a TON of slop in my column and am thinking of going to a floor shifter. How big of a hole if the pan did you cut?

red wasp · 02-16-2010, 04:40 PM

I took a hole saw and cut a 2 3/4 in hole, that seemed to to the job. I havent really got to use it yet but after I finally got all the linkage straitened out it seems like it should work ok, but if you can find a good deal get a hurst cuz the one I got seems ok but I would have gone with the hurst.

msgross · 02-16-2010, 04:49 PM

My project "flip that truck or else" had a crappy mr. gasket floor shifter that kept breaking speedo cables. I suggested to the new owner to add a 90 degree adapter to it...

Of course I got the truck cheap because it was stuck in third gear (shifter issue). Whatever you do be sure to keep your original linkage around...

corvette6698512 · 02-16-2010, 06:23 PM

My truck has a hurst 3 speed floor shifter. It shifts nice, no slop. I like it. click here for picture

697498chevy · 02-16-2010, 07:26 PM

Hurst floor shifter looks like mine . It touches the seat when you're in first and third , and that's with the seat all the way back . Not a problem for me as that's where I like the seat .

pat 70/71 · 02-16-2010, 09:05 PM

I ran a hurst shifter for a while. never was 100% perfect. you know what they say universal fit means ( won't fit anything) my shifter fell through the floor on the freeway! got it home with a bolt /nut from the tool box I had with me! changed back to three on the tree / all new bushings/levers $35.00 later i was shifting like a pro. change it back & forget about it. hope this helps have fun .Pat

02-12-2010, 06:38 PM	#1
red wasp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 11	Floor shifter conversion question???? Hey guys kinda new here but I just got a 69 lwb that has a manual with three on the tree. I recently bought a floor shifter "universal" conversion kit for it and everything seems to mount up but the speedometer cable that is coming out of the transmission is right in the way of one of the shifter arms. Has anyone else encountered this problem?? If so could you maybe give me some advise on what you did to fix it. The only think that I could think of is to try and find a 90 degree fitting for the cable or just cap it off and go with out one, but I didn't think that this was going to be a problem when I bought the kit, any pointers would be helpful and Ill try and take some pictures if that helps. Thanks.

02-12-2010, 06:59 PM	#2
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,081	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? Piece of advice, find a set of the bronze bushings to replace the nylon crap they send with the shifter as it will improve the shift characteristics greatly. Good luck with the aftermarket shifters, the cheap ones are horrid at best. The last three speed truck I bought had a aftermarket cheap set in it. I ended up ripping it off the transmission after it stopped shifting from first to second without physically stopping the truck and starting again - before you say adjustment, I spent three hours under the truck doing everything possible including heim ends etc. I finally found a good three speed column and replaced what the previous owner had removed. I say this because the column even in its worst is better than most of the cheap shifter for three speeds out there. JMO and good luck. __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

02-12-2010, 07:11 PM	#3
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? Couldn't have said it better.. Universal usually = junk that aughta work?? john __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

02-12-2010, 07:42 PM	#4
697498chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 265	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? Been thru two Hurst Indy? floor shifters in the last 15 years or so . They work fine for me , but I quit speed shifting many years ago . First shifter failed because mounting bracket broke . I'm thinking Hurst offers a higher end shifter , too . Sorry , don't remember any speedo issues .

02-13-2010, 02:35 PM	#5
red wasp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 11	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? Thanks, Ya the shifter wasnt my first choice but I got it for christmas and finally got around to putting it on last week, I wanted to get the hurst but after I tried to take it back they were going to charge me a 15% restocking fee even if I was going to up grade.... so I just figured I would give this one a try.

02-16-2010, 04:40 PM	#7
red wasp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 11	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? I took a hole saw and cut a 2 3/4 in hole, that seemed to to the job. I havent really got to use it yet but after I finally got all the linkage straitened out it seems like it should work ok, but if you can find a good deal get a hurst cuz the one I got seems ok but I would have gone with the hurst.

02-16-2010, 04:49 PM	#8
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? My project "flip that truck or else" had a crappy mr. gasket floor shifter that kept breaking speedo cables. I suggested to the new owner to add a 90 degree adapter to it... Of course I got the truck cheap because it was stuck in third gear (shifter issue). Whatever you do be sure to keep your original linkage around... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

02-16-2010, 06:23 PM	#9
corvette6698512 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tumwater, Wa Posts: 19	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? My truck has a hurst 3 speed floor shifter. It shifts nice, no slop. I like it. click here for picture

02-16-2010, 07:26 PM	#10
697498chevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 265	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? Hurst floor shifter looks like mine . It touches the seat when you're in first and third , and that's with the seat all the way back . Not a problem for me as that's where I like the seat .

02-16-2010, 09:05 PM	#11
pat 70/71 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: newbury park california Posts: 1,038	Re: Floor shifter conversion question???? I ran a hurst shifter for a while. never was 100% perfect. you know what they say universal fit means ( won't fit anything) my shifter fell through the floor on the freeway! got it home with a bolt /nut from the tool box I had with me! changed back to three on the tree / all new bushings/levers $35.00 later i was shifting like a pro. change it back & forget about it. hope this helps have fun .Pat



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