Shift lever differences - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Solver · 05-20-2003, 10:27 PM

I have 2 67 trucks both with 4 speeds but both have different shaped shift levers.One is almost straight all the way up and the other has about 3 curves to it. Anyone know what the reason is?
Just curious as I have'nt had any of the old 4 speeds

pic of straight lever

Solver · 05-20-2003, 10:28 PM

curved lever

breeh · 05-20-2003, 10:59 PM

I am curious about this as well. I thought that it was a 2wd vs 4wd thing but I guess not!

Blue_71 · 05-20-2003, 11:42 PM

on my 4x4, it has the shifter with one bend (yours should have if you look under the boot) but its been welded on, the curved one on the other hand, ive never seen that many curves, but from what ive seen a 2 curve is original (up, over, up)

Hardrock2 · 05-21-2003, 03:14 AM

I think it's a v-8, 6 cyl. thing. Just a guess, but don't 6-cyl. 4-speeds set farther back than V-8 4-speeds? I think the seat/ dash clearance issue might be the reason for 2 different style shifters. I have two V-8 4-speed trucks, and they both have the curved handles. Guess I'll have to look at a 6-cyl truck sometime.
Got me wondering now!

jays68yak · 05-21-2003, 10:30 AM

My v8 4 speed suburban had the first one.

breeh · 05-21-2003, 02:58 PM

Hardrock2 may be on to something. V8 and Inline 6 differences would change placement within the shift tunnel. Additionally, a 4x4 places the shifter more to the rear with a V8 than it would with a 2wd V8. I think that the mystery is solved. Forward placement of the trans requires the multiple bends on the shifter to clear the dash and to place the knob in a more convenient location for the driver. Rearward placement of trans requires the more straight shifter with only the one bend. What does everyone else think?

bpmcgee · 05-21-2003, 03:03 PM

That fits the evidence that I have to offer -- my 4x4 blazer has the second (2 bend) shifter. And it's in about that spot on the floor as well.

We know that 4x4 v8s are mounted a couple of inches rearward of the 2wd v8s

Brian

Blue_71 · 05-21-2003, 03:18 PM

if anyone has a bend shifter and wants the straight one let me know, i hate the straight one in my 4x4... even though it is farther back i like the bend one better (i had my 2wd one in there a while) because of the dash though i had to put the straight one back in the 4x4 when i put the 4 speed in the 2wd

Hardrock2 · 05-21-2003, 10:23 PM

Hey, here's an idea. When I put the ole shop truck together, I just used the shift lever that came with the chassis. It was a '74 K-20 Super Cheyenne with the SM465. I think it feels more comfortable than the stock one, and it clears the dash and seat just fine. It's real handy right next to your right leg. If you go looking for one, search the upper trim level trucks and blazers.........They were chrome from the factory.

Hardrock2 · 05-21-2003, 11:42 PM

Tryin' to post a pic with this new 'puter! %$&#@!!!

05-20-2003, 10:27 PM	#1
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	Shift lever differences I have 2 67 trucks both with 4 speeds but both have different shaped shift levers.One is almost straight all the way up and the other has about 3 curves to it. Anyone know what the reason is? Just curious as I have'nt had any of the old 4 speeds pic of straight lever Attached Images __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

05-20-2003, 10:28 PM	#2
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	curved lever Attached Images __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

05-20-2003, 10:59 PM	#3
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	I am curious about this as well. I thought that it was a 2wd vs 4wd thing but I guess not! __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

05-21-2003, 03:14 AM	#5
Hardrock2 A$$ deep into trucks Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Central Illinois,USA Posts: 249	I think it's a v-8, 6 cyl. thing. Just a guess, but don't 6-cyl. 4-speeds set farther back than V-8 4-speeds? I think the seat/ dash clearance issue might be the reason for 2 different style shifters. I have two V-8 4-speed trucks, and they both have the curved handles. Guess I'll have to look at a 6-cyl truck sometime. Got me wondering now! __________________ hardrock2

05-21-2003, 10:30 AM	#6
jays68yak Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Gilroy, CA Posts: 1,453	My v8 4 speed suburban had the first one. __________________ 1969 Chevy Project SWB Fleet, 20s, 5.3, t56, in the weeds. 1970 Chevy Truck cab on a 1979 Jimmy frame-8.1 liter 496 bbc/sm465/np203-jeds doubler-np205/d60/14bff Welded/42 tsls on recentered H1s 1998 Chevy Crew Cab K3500 SAS'd with hpd60, links and swayaway coilovers. 8.1l vortec DD/towrig "I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me. "

05-21-2003, 02:58 PM	#7
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Hardrock2 may be on to something. V8 and Inline 6 differences would change placement within the shift tunnel. Additionally, a 4x4 places the shifter more to the rear with a V8 than it would with a 2wd V8. I think that the mystery is solved. Forward placement of the trans requires the multiple bends on the shifter to clear the dash and to place the knob in a more convenient location for the driver. Rearward placement of trans requires the more straight shifter with only the one bend. What does everyone else think? __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

05-21-2003, 03:03 PM	#8
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	That fits the evidence that I have to offer -- my 4x4 blazer has the second (2 bend) shifter. And it's in about that spot on the floor as well. We know that 4x4 v8s are mounted a couple of inches rearward of the 2wd v8s Brian

05-21-2003, 10:23 PM	#10
Hardrock2 A$$ deep into trucks Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Central Illinois,USA Posts: 249	Hey, here's an idea. When I put the ole shop truck together, I just used the shift lever that came with the chassis. It was a '74 K-20 Super Cheyenne with the SM465. I think it feels more comfortable than the stock one, and it clears the dash and seat just fine. It's real handy right next to your right leg. If you go looking for one, search the upper trim level trucks and blazers.........They were chrome from the factory. __________________ hardrock2

05-21-2003, 11:42 PM	#11
Hardrock2 A$$ deep into trucks Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Central Illinois,USA Posts: 249	Tryin' to post a pic with this new 'puter! %$&#@!!! Attached Images __________________ hardrock2 Last edited by Hardrock2; 05-22-2003 at 12:49 AM.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.