can i use the column shifter with a 3 speed toploader?

[BiffTirkle]

ive searched quite a bit on many forums and never got an exact answer, people have posed the opposite and varying questions. like someone wanted to use the column shifter with a t5, or someone wanted to use a floor shifter with a side loader. etc...

what i want to know is can i use my existing column shifter with a 3 speed top loader?

my trans is out of 65 falcon. i think it would be nice to move shifting from the floor to the steering column. then i wouldnt have to spend 210 bucks on a hurst shifter.

[Bill W]

if i remember right, the top loader 3 speed trans has 3 levers on the side of the transmission, the column only has 2 rods going down to the trans.

[BiffTirkle]

perhaps with others, but as far as i can see ive only got 2 levers. it actually looks like it might work with some custom brackets and whatnot.

i pulled out the shop manual, and compared pictures and such with my trans, and i think it just might work. but id be curious to know if someone has any experience with using a 3 speed toploader with a column shifter.

[Toyz]

Yep, too long ago to remember details, but seems it was pretty much plug and play. BTW, I can at this point in life admit to having some experience with column shift 4 speed toploaders.
Sorry, oldtimers, the statutes of limitations precludes any chance of getting your money back!
Paul

[bobenhotep]

Yeah, it will work. They actually came from the factory like that. I have a 3 spd toploader from a 72 f100 in my 63 wrongbed. If you get the column, get the shift rods too.

[BiffTirkle]

Yeah, it will work. They actually came from the factory like that. I have a 3 spd toploader from a 72 f100 in my 63 wrongbed. If you get the column, get the shift rods too.

are the shift rods the same? i know i can get other linkage parts to make it work but i cant find the rods and im not sure if the rods on the floor shift are long enough?

i think id like to do this route rather than replace the floor shifter.

[R Pope]

First, is it a real 3 speed or an OD Orion with 4 actual speeds?
Then, if it is a 3 speed, remember that you have to flip the shift levers so they point down for a column shifter. If the links are too short it's easy enough to extend them, just weld in some steel rod.
I made a 4 speed work on a column 3 speed shifter. Reverse was engaged with a PTO-type cable under the dash! Took some retraining to get used to, but no bouncing off reverse when speed shifting........

[BiffTirkle]

3 forward 1 reverse. 9 bolts on the top pan, trans came out of a 65 falcon

[Toyz]

First, is it a real 3 speed or an OD Orion with 4 actual speeds?
Then, if it is a 3 speed, remember that you have to flip the shift levers so they point down for a column shifter. If the links are too short it's easy enough to extend them, just weld in some steel rod.
I made a 4 speed work on a column 3 speed shifter. Reverse was engaged with a PTO-type cable under the dash! Took some retraining to get used to, but no bouncing off reverse when speed shifting........

Talk about retraining; just leave the levers as found ( maybe shorten them 1/2" or so). Great anti-theft device, but get in the habit of easing off from a stoplight, just in case
That all-synchro Falcon trans will work just fine; I don't know how many cluster gears I went through in the older trans without synchronized first before upgrading. (My Dad could certainly tell you if still around. )
I think the "toploader" part is what's throwing everyone a curve. When you say toploader, most think of the old Rockcrusher four speed!
Paul

[BiffTirkle]

After a trip to the junk yard, I pulled a Hurst floor shifter off a 74 f100, and the column shift linkage off a 72 f100. I think I'm going to move the shifter back to the column now that I've got all the parts needed. My total today, 19 bucks!