The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline adjusting a column shifter linkage in a 1959 1/2T

Hey my dad and I just replaced the shifter box in our 59. Shifted fine, reverse works, then it locks up. Pop the hood, fiddle with the upper reverse lever. Shifts fine again, then it locks up.

Any idea how to adjust this? We are very frustrated.

We just kinda bolted it on the column, tightened the shifter linkage, popped the 2 shifter rods back in and tried to run it. Is their a good explanation somewhere on how to set this up?? Like what position should the column shifter be in when you connect it to the box shaft?

The box shaft is splined, but the column shifter linkage does not seem to be?

THANKS
-Austin in MD

Hey Pete, jump in here and help this boy out. Your '52 column shifter works real nice and smooth and I know you adjusted it a few times with all the work you've done on her. I enjoyed the smooth shifter after sharing half the driving last September on the trip from Chicago to KC and back.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

yes please Im dying to drive this thing again. When the shifter doesn't work right you just never want to take it out. I think thats why so many ditch the column shift.

Have some patients, I'm sure Pete or someone else will get you straightened out as soon as they get off work...


DG

Put the transmission in neutral. Set the shift box in neutral. Adjust the arms to fit.

What position is neutral?

On the transmission there are two arms connected to the shift rods that go up to the box on the steering column. The arms are 1st,n, reverse, and second,n, third. Make sure the arms on transmission are in neutral.On the steering column, if you look at the shift box, (with the two arms) Have someone inside the truck shift into neutral. The arms should be even with one another and you should see movement of the shaft in the box.Now connect the shift rods and adjust the clamps on the rods, when the shifter inside the truck moves freely in the neutral position tighten the clamps and you shoul be ok.

open the box and check it out - here's inside the box [minus the grease] when it's just sitting in neutral - when it locks up the pawl is jamming between the 2 forks - the spring in there may be messed up, or the forks or pawl may be worn, or as suggested above you most likely have the arms down to the trans a bit out of adjustment

Bill

What Tommy said is the right way to do it ,and order a shop manual it gives step by step instuctions and helps out with everything on you're truck.

Pete

Thanks Ill try the tips out when I get back from PA. I have a shop manual, but could only find the supplement. Where in the process of moving garages, so Im sure ill find it eventually....