Floor shifters can be done well using a little imagination. Click on this to see how I repositioned the shifter so it comes out in the middle of the floor. I fabricated a bracket to move the shifter closer and in line with the shifting plate on the transmission. Do you see the reinforced bends to move the shift over to the right? If I hadn't done this the shifter ends up interfering with your right leg's travel to the 'go pedal'.

Now take a look at these home-made shifter dogs... What's different about them? Two things...1st, they are shorter which translates into a shorter shift. 2nd, they are positioned on top so that I have the traditional shift pattern. 3rd, in this case the shifter arms are bent so they 'miss' the solenoid of my 3 sp+od.

I have had this set-up exactly this way for thirty thousand + miles. The transmission, a '62 3sp+od has a non-synchro 1st gear and the entire shifting mechanism (I don't believe) was ever noted for crisp shifts. I have a '69 Saginaw 3sp+od that I will be rebuilding soon to take it's place. I will then return to the column using Heim (articulating ball and socket) joints to make a crisp shifting column shifter.

Bob Dylan sez.........

~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer