The big advantage to column shift, as cabs got bigger and roomier in the 1950's, was not having the big stick in the floor bumping legs. Recently swapped my 3-spd for SM420 and amazed at how far left you have to move shifter for reverse. I'm not a big guy but I can't imagine a 6 ft 200 pound guy with big legs being able to get the shifter over that far.
Also, column shift seems a bit faster because your hands are already on the wheel and don't have to come off it and search for a knob with longer throws down below your line of site. Admittedly, I'm still learning the 4-in-the-floor after 35 yrs of a 3-on-the-tree i could shift in my sleep, smooth as butter.
Love the lower first two gears in the SM420, and for that reason, plus the overall heavy duty nature of it, I'm very happy with it.
Last edited by Skooter; 05/29/2017 5:01 AM.
