Well the current question is if my original 3spd can be converted to an open driveshaft arrangement.
Yes, my 54 3600 series had an open driveline 3 speed. I believe the 54 and early 55's had this arrangement. I can't say if the 55-59 trucks were the same. On the pre-54 3600 trucks, they had partial torque tube transmissions, you would need to install a carrier bearing assembly and crossmember to make it work. On another note, I had a 3 speed from a 235 powered El Camino, the shift levers were different than what was on my truck. It may may have been possible to modify the El Camino shift levers, can't really say.
