Saginaw 4 speed overdrive on the column

[ghalperin]

I picked up a very nice Saginaw 4 speed. I would eventually like to add a overdrive and keep my column shifter. I pulled the side cover and it looks really clean and fresh. I think it was rebuilt and used very little.



I know that adding the overdrive and keeping the column shifter have both been done, but I couldn't find any threads.

Can anyone provide some info or links?

[weim55]

Dig this: Chevy actually produced a factory 4 speed on the column setup in the '68 G10 (G20?) Van. I lost money on bet for this one. A friend purchased the van and was convinced the column shift was a 4 speed. I thought I had seen it all. Not so, put my eyes on it and sure enough it's legit factory install. The shift linkage a total Rube Goldberg setup for reverse but it do work. Factory shift knob even has the 4 speed pattern cast in it. I should be at his place in the next month and I'll grab some pics.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[Steeveedee]

I believe Corvair vans had a 4 speed column shift. Also, '60s Ford Econoline vans had them. That I know for sure. You could possible dog rob the necessary linkage parts from one of them.

[midniteblues]

If you have any questions on how I set mine up ill be glad too help.

Really wasn't hard my biggest thing was working with the bbc/headers & exhaust /z bar and the trans c member.

The trans crossmember was a pita.
I tried a aftermarket tubular style,a aftermarket Square tube style and a oe auto trans member.

In the end I made a custom member and even the first one i made wasn't good enough.
But the second one worked out with some tweaking.

I was having a issue with drive line angle and going through the oe trailing arm c member but my rear axle is dropped 7 3/8"
I was just too close too the top of the hoop on the t a member.
I made reinforced exhaust cutouts in my oe member so I hated too part with it but a ece member went in and solved my issue.

I used a mixed assortment of shifter ears(the tabs that bolt too the trans that the linkages attach too.) Only too keep the linkages from colliding with each other.

Also had a pile of the long linkages here too work with.
I probally could have gotten away with heating and bending a little but with my assortment of parts I didn't need to.

Oh and also because I was going from a 283 & 67 Muncie 3 spd too a bbc with saginaw 4 mine needed some changing up.
If your starting with a saginaw tree spd truck everything you have just might work.

Your big decision is on how you want reverse too work.
I had alot of ideas like useing a starter selinoid too activate the reverse lever but in the end i went with the k.i.s.s method.
And just used the pto push/pull cable.

The overdrive is/was in my plans but finding one just hasn't happened and too remove the trans and do one can be done anytime.

Some may recall my thread years ago I originally wanted too make it 5 spd on the tree. But the general input was its not happening without external linkages on the trans.

I have a 2wd nv4500 here I could throw in behind the bb in my 67
But the nostalgia of the tree shifter is something I don't wanna lose.

Glad too help if you want/need it.

Should ask too,
How did the frame cutting go?

[KQQL IT]

Dad used to race in a super stock class with a 57 ford.

Had a 3 on the tree, swapped in a 4 speed and put reverse shift knob by the seat.
Nobody ever caught on that he was leaving in reverse on the column.

[undertaker72]

Originally Posted by weim55

Dig this: Chevy actually produced a factory 4 speed on the column setup in the '68 G10 (G20?) Van. I lost money on bet for this one. A friend purchased the van and was convinced the column shift was a 4 speed. I thought I had seen it all. Not so, put my eyes on it and sure enough it's legit factory install. The shift linkage a total Rube Goldberg setup for reverse but it do work. Factory shift knob even has the 4 speed pattern cast in it. I should be at his place in the next month and I'll grab some pics.

Steve weim55 Colorado

I also had a 68 g10 van with a 4 on the tree , you can easily do what you want , and add the over drive with a pull cable even , but gm did have a 4 on the tree

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

If you have any questions on how I set mine up ill be glad too help.

Glad too help if you want/need it.

Should ask too,
How did the frame cutting go?

Thanks, I'll hit you up when I get closer. The frame cutting went well, I had to cut through one random hole on the passenger side, so I just welded it up. After paint, you can't even tell it was ever different.

I did find info on the Chevy van 4 speed column. It appears to have a the shift rod outside of the column and it used a cable for reverse. I think I'll make it a little simpler.

[ghalperin]

After searching the net, I'm thinking the simplest way to shift reverse would be a PTO cable. I'll have the overdrive cable and T-handle under the dash to the right of the steering column and in order to avoid any confusion, I won't want the reverse cable and handle anywhere near it.

I found this PTO cable on eBay for cheap:


I may try to find something that looks more original, maybe with a chrome handle

[68 TT]

Putting the reverse cable into the factory choke cable location on the dash could be a possibility that would keep it from being confused with the OD.

My 66 El Camino had the three on the tree with the cable actuated overdrive. I liked that feature. You could even use it in any gear not just third.

[Steeveedee]

Now, a cable-controlled reverse gear would be pretty trick as a theft deterrent. Pull out the PTO or manual choke or throttle knob, whichever you use, when you park. Then, someone fishes for a forward gear to get it to move, (and it won't) and if they think to leave the truck in neutral, it'll only go backwards. Of course, if the linkage only comes from the column, that wouldn't work.

[ghalperin]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Putting the reverse cable into the factory choke cable location on the dash could be a possibility that would keep it from being confused with the OD.

I do like the idea of using the choke location. I wonder if I could use the choke knob?

[midniteblues]

If you ask me using a small cable like a throttle or choke cable will work, If it doesn't bend trying too move the lever in its extended postion.
I wanted a bigger cable for durability and better ease of movement.

The pto cable I used was new,lubed well and not long at all and I still need a good amount of tug too move the trans lever pulling on the knob to engage reverse.

The detent ball in the trans for the reverse lever does have a good amount of tension on it. You don't feel it much with the tree shifter or floor shift or even just moving it by hand but you will with a cable.

I was gonna build a pivoting style linkage for more leverage on the push and pull I just felt it wasn't very nessacary.

Pulling on a "small" knob too engage reverse just wouldn't work for me too well but you might not have a problem with it.

I didn't want anything too look out of place in my truck hence the reason I put my big knob below the seat....thinking about it a t handle would work better for me for grip as my hands are trashed.


The motion of takeing your hand off the shifter and reaching down or anywhere else too engage reverse takes some getting used to.