The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline three speed floor shifter

I remember back in the 80's when I first got the truck I was contemplating a floor shifter to replace the column shifter. But I can't seem to find them anymore, I once saw one on EBAY, but my question is what is the stock transmission in a 53 3100. I can find a shifter for a 55 and up 341 transmission, but I looked all over both my transmissions, and can find nothing that would even come close to telling me what I want... I will call hurst today. But I am afraid they will have no idea either.

What year truck and what transmission?

the stock three speed that comes in a 53 3100.

There is a thread in HiPo concerning 'Floor Shifter Options' that may interest you. If you have any information please post it there. I am going to a lot of trouble.. A LOT of trouble to get the column shift to the original 4 speed floor location. I am very close but its not easy. A few weeks and I will be done with the 2nd attempt.

One of the finest guys I know, Cosmo has converted his 3-speed to a floor shifter. I'm sure he will see this and give some guidance. If not, send him a PM.

I made a very good center floor shifter using a used B+M 3 speed shifter that performed flawlessly for 14 or so years in a daily driver only vehicle. I finally went back to a column shifter using heim joints that works easier than a floor shifter. I made my own rods and used the heim joints to upgrade from a 90 degree angled rod into a wallowed out hole. My upgrade on the column is the simplest solution and I have decreased the throw as well. I'll post pictures of the floor conversion if you are interested.

Cosmo, I would be interested in seeing pics of the mods which you made to the column shifter.
Carl

yes pictures would be nice. I kind of need to get the little shifter box on the column out of the way. It's gonna run into my intake setup. I was actually looking for a purpose built unit, but I may just have to make one myself... Once I figure out how to post pictures I have several I would like to post.

I actually shortened the 1-R shifter arm as it was interfering with the firewall side of the Edelbrock dual intake. Here are the shifter arm ends with a 'Shift-Tite' swivel.

I threaded and bent the rod a little at a time to avoid interference. These are the heim joints. Works like a charm for a year and a half. I really like the column shifter as it leaves the floor clean and most people have no idea how to shift a three-on-the-tree. That's a '69 3speed Saginaw with Borg-Warner overdrive, the 'holy grail' of transmissions, all-synchro, very stout, positive shifting.

Cosmo, what did the shortening of the 1-R shifter arm have on the throw of the column shifter lever (longer or shorter)? I have a '66 Saginaw three speed and the throw of the column shifter is real short for 1-R shifts. I have an extra shifter box with two short arms and was thinking about swapping it in place of the stock one in hopes of restoring the proper column shifter throw.
Carl

I think I found one or two that I can make work, mr. gasket, and hurst both have a "UNIVERSAL" shifter, that I am pretty sure can be made to work.