I have looked in the tech tip section, and did a search with no results or help so I am looking to the gearhead gods for an answer. I have a stock 54 with a closed driveline 3 on the tree and am wanting to convert the column shift to a floor shift. Is there a "bolt on" conversion kit that Im not finding? Not wanting to change trans, driveline, or rear end.
1954 Chevy 3100 5 window 1932 Chevy 4 door touring
Hy towtruckmikey, welcome, back in the day there were many floor shift conversions available. I don't know/doubt there would be any available new. I installed a couple of Hurst Mystery shifter conversions for friends in the late 60s and early 70s. Post an ad in the parts wanted forum and look on Ebay, hope that helps.
My father used to have about a 30 minute lecture for the students in his auto mechanics class about the right way to convert a column shift vehicle to a floor shift. Since he considered the conversion shifter to be a toy for the driver to play with, he recommended that the kids install an automatic transmission and cut the pockets out of their pants! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Hurst used to have a "Mister Shifter" conversion kit to do what you want. I don't see it advertised, so it's may not be available new.
My brother put one in his car. He didn't follow the instructions and the shift pattern was goofy. He drove the car for a couple weeks before he fixed it. He called it the "Mystery Shifter"!
+ Requires a new hole. Save the floorboard. Design it in a way to only make a hole in the transmission cover. + Modify shifter with offset to prevent shift stick from contacting your leg. + Allow clearance for seat. + Allow clearance for brake master cylinder. + Try to use stock shift rods and arms. + Allow clearance and access of speedometer cable. + Maker your own shift stick to clear the seat yet keep you knuckles from hitting dash. + Buy a good used Hurst 3-speed Mastershift (without stick) and rebuild it yourself.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
I'd be interested in others imput on this subject, looking to do a floor shift for a special build future project that has the 3 speed. The challenge is the shifter needs to be on the right side of the box with linkages crossing over to the gearbox arms on the left!
had that hurst spring loaded shifter in a '58 biscayne. the 3 on the tree linkages hung up and had fallen apart. relative to the rescue! brother in law installed the rods backwards and the shift pattern was backwards. being a kid it took me awhile to figure out the simple fix so i drove it that way for quite some time. first to second was fun, slip up and pull against the spring loaded reverse lockout and up for second. Later flopped the rods and all was good. That flat shaft with HURST label, rubber boot, and HURST T handle made my carnation and ivory 2 door with a 235 seem so much sportier! LOL
Larry Old man᠁Old truck᠁neither one goes very fast. All you need in life is TIME, PATIENCE and MONEY. If you are missing one component, you'll need an abundance of the others two.
Did the '54 originally come with a optional SM420 gearbox? is there a floor shift hole in the cab?
Sorry just realized that the OP did not want to change the gearbox. Oops.
Last edited by cmayna; 05/14/20212:34 PM.
Craig
My '50 Chevy 3100 5 window, '62-235cu, 3:55 rear My truck ....... Respect The Rust If I'm not working on my truck, '65 m00stang or VW camper, I'm fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.
towtruckmikey When you go to the swap meet watch for Hurst shifters with bolt-on stick 3 speed may be rare,usually buy for 20 bucks,black ones will be corporate (came in a car). Or if your a builder ,make your own. You can make heim joint linkage at home ,that is better than any Hurst linkage, I have a set that is 48 yrs. old still SMOOOOTH no slack on a Muncie.
Haggisbiker Never done that but I think you could,just U right around the tail install a slide support (maybe) would make it heim joint so no slack. Or maybe go over the top,try it you can do it !! Like linkage on a brownie you know a double stick rig !!!
