The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1955 first series shift linkage

Hello!

I think the shift box on the steering column was unique to 1955 first series, the lower lever has a dog leg bend in it. I have attached a picture of mine in a mocked up state but I am pretty sure the lower shift rod is on the wrong side of the lever. Can someone please confirm this? Thanks.

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The shift box on your truck is from a 55-2 V-8 truck and all 56-59 trucks. The stock shifter box for 55 both series 6 cyl trucks has 2 straight arms and a bell crank on the bell housing with 2 levers for 2-3 gear selection. Probably the previous owner made the swap.
Fred

Hi Fred,

Are you sure about that? The 55 first transmission was different than the 54 or the 55 second (if it wasn't for T Lederman I never would have found the right transmission).

Any other 55 first series guys out there with a stock drivetrain?

Joe

Thanks, this sure is a great group!

Well now...I did just check out a site that sold an all original 1955 first series

http://www.californiaclassix.com/archive/55_Chevy_PU_c386.html

and Yep, both levers were straight!

The box I put on my Suburban came from a '55 first GMC. Both levers are straight.

difference shown here

Bill

Thanks Bill.

I looks like even the length of the arms is different too (distance from centerline of the arms where the linkage connects to centerline of the shift mechanism)

Joe

yes, likely because of the different routing as mentioned by Fred above .... and the pic I linked shows the arms correctly positioned, both on the top side of the levers ... also the arms from the box to the trans [via the bell crank] are quite different from the later ones, and maybe you have the whole later setup

Bill

The transmissions are essentially the same from 55-1 (open driveline) through 61. The main differences are the side covers for the 55 6 cylinder trucks where the 2-3 shift lever is clocked up and the 1-R is down. Later trucks have both levers pointing down and use the shift box with the dog leg.
Fred

Thank you so much for responding to this post. I would have been in a world of hurt trying to figure out why I couldn't get the shifting to work. I got the shift linkage you saw in the pictures with a 55.1 six engine i bought but it was mated to a Saginaw via some cobbled arms on the transmission itself. Actually the only thing that was in the truck that was left of the three-on-the-tree setup was this shift box. It was mounted on the steering shaft and not hooked to anything. Go figure. Luckily I bought another shift linkage set for my truck from our member Nels54 so I probably do have the proper parts. Thanks again guys.

Joe