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| | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 12 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 12 | hi,
my 55 2nd series truck was originally a 3 speed column shifter (3 on the tree). i would like to put an auto transmission in my truck. what would you do about a shifter? i have been told a floor shifter would be the easiest route to take. anyone have any advice on that? thanks again.
clark | | | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 703 | 55 - I think it depends upon how involved you want to get. Are you planning on changing out the steering column in the future? If it were me, I would probably go with a newer column with a gear selector on it, and save the floor space. Just my .02$ | | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 476 | Could put in the whole column, out of something from the period with auto trans or something more modern.
I would take a good hard look at the existing column shifter and try to figure out how to make it work with the automatic you are considering. Then all you have to do is figure out how to put an indicator in there somewhere to tell you what gear you're selecting.
Perhaps you could kluge something together with parts of a more modern linkage to get the function and your original to retain the look.
Don't lose your head to save a minute,
You need your head, your brains are in it.
Burma-Shave (1947)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 255 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 255 | My cousin has a 58 Chevy pickup that he converted to 327 and auto trans. His truck was originally a 3 speed on the column and he used the existing lever to shift the auto. He also set up an indicator using a cable operated indicator that hooks to the linkage at the tranny. It can be done and it looks nice. See what you can come up with.
Ralph | | | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 438 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 438 | Clark- Consider the street rod option: a Lokar nostalgia shifter ( www.lokar.com) coming up through the floor, requiring modification of the floor pan (that may be needed with the new tranny). My $0.02! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 112 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 112 | Ashifter from a mustang, maverick, pinto or areostar van are simple and cheap. The areostar shifter has the extra length you probably will need. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 15 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 15 | I used a Genie Shifter w/t Swan stick & 8-ball on the auto TH350 in my 1st 64 C10. Worked out GREAT. Just another option for ya... http://www.hotrodhotline.com/gennie/ | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,554 | I went with the Lokar nostagia floor shifter in my 55 2nd.I also used the Lokar parking brake that sits right beside it.Works very well for me. | | |
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