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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 222 DLBrooks | | DLBrooks Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 222 | I have completed this transmission swap in my 1946 3/4 ton chevy truck with a 235 engine. All gears can be reached without busting knuckles but has any one shortened or rebent the stick? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 | You can bend the shifter to fit your needs, extra set of hands would be helpful, one man working the torch while you massage it to the spot you like.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | If one shortens, hard to cut new threads because of taper and bends.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | New SM-420 shift sticks are available with NO bends, which can then be heated and bent to whatever shape the installation requires. There's no reason an original stick can't be re-bent, but I'd suggest making a template out of stiff wire and doing the bending with the stick in a vise instead of risking burning upholstery, carpet, etc. with the shifter installed. You'll need to get it pretty hot to assure a good, accurate bend.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 222 DLBrooks | | DLBrooks Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 222 | Appreciate the replies. Yesterday with stick out of truck, I cut 1/4 " below threads and then cut out 5 inches from top segment. Then appropriately prepped/mig welded the threaded and stick back together. This makes it near identical length/height as the crasbox shifter. All is good now and I really like the sm420.
Besides the bellhousing change and pedal bracket fabrication....
Driveline had to be shorthened 1.5 inches. Rear lip on bellhousing support had to be trimmed flush. Emergency brake lever moves 1 inch to passenger side. OEM type floor pan gets a little stretching. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,841 | What are you using for shifter and brake lever boots, my Low Cab Forward seems to need a different boot for the SM420 than the little trucks, the hole and trim ring on mine is oval and from what I'm seeing from venders they look like a round mounting ring.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
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