The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Floor shift, what yours like?

Now, my Panel has a four speed, so I've got that big tall shifter sticking out of the floor. It's got a different bend in it than the one in my 1 ton did ( I think), in fact, for reverse, the panel's shifter comes over so far that it practically pushes me out the door.

Is the shifter different in the panel trucks, for more cargo room on the passenger side? I'll probably need all that room, as I'm planning on installing a flux capacitor over there anyway.

Or, am I just sitting in a different spot, 'cause I'm on a bucket seat (stock) now?

Or, should I not attempt to adjust my set, as I have just entered......The Outer Limits.

Holy cow. I've gotta stop using so many commas.

Christopher, I've had 3 panels like yours,and the 1 1/2 ton I'm working on now.In all of them, the shifter would go right up against the seat, when placed in reverse. All the seats had been recovered, and I always assumed it was the "Extra Layer' of foam I had put in,,,
COMMA,COMMA, DOWN, DO BE DO, DOWN, DOWN,,,

That was funny!

It must have been for cargo I guess. I was looking at some pictures, and the 1-ton shifter (truck) just had one bend in it, instead of the Rube Goldberg bends in the panel.

O.K. thats different from those I've had.
All mine had the 1 short bend at the trans, then were straight sticks. If yours has the "S" bend, it may have been swapped- get a hold of the "straight" stick and swap it- you may be much happier with it.. The swap is easy. Do you still have the flatbed? Try that one if its the straight stick.

I sold the 1-Ton.

Here's a pic of the inside of my panel, you can see the stick up front there.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd45/HomeCrafter/IMGP1783.jpg

We'll see how it is to drive, I like the look of the goofy lever that's on it right now. You can't really tell from the photo, but the when you are in first, the knob is about an inch from the dash! Although, if its not comfortable, I'll either re-bend it, or replace it, time will tell.

Here in the U.S., that stick is what is lovingly referred to as "FULLY CUSTOMIZED"..

My guess is that this was done at the bus conversion factory. Single bucket seat and room for the kids to get into the back seats. You can find an original stick shift and exchange. Removing the shifter should be easy.

Does your door and dash have evidence of a door release, so that the driver could open the door while sitting?

The amount of space you will need is dependent upon the type of flux capacitor you plan to use. The period-correct versions are much larger than modern units (also, will you need 6v or is 12v OK)?

It doesn't look like there was any sort of door-opener on the truck. There were about 20 extra holes in the dash. It was almost like the fellow had got a new drill for Christmas, and was looking around for something to drill holes in, when he spied the dash...



On the plus side, I just picked up another bucket seat, ironically out of the exact same truck the first one came out of, though the truck has changed hand since! The previous owner would not sell both!

I'll see how it is to drive, but I might change the stick-shift.