Charles Furman Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 I am seriously considering changing the floor mounted shift linkage and emergency brake in my 1949 (B1B108) to a column and under dash set up like Dodge went to in 1950 (B2 Series). I guess this means I need an entire steering column and linkage set up and emergency brake handle and linkage setup. Anyone know if my stock 3-speed transmission can be converted from top shift to column shift or do I need to replace the transmission as well? I really don't want to go to fluid drive, so what are my options? Finally, does anyone have any of the parts I am going to need that are in good or better condition? Charles Quote
MBF Posted January 7, 2010 Report Posted January 7, 2010 Charles-I have a steering shaft tube with the column shift linkage in a parts truck (I believe it is complete), I also have the transmission out of that truck but I've never driven it so I don't know what condition its in, but when I towed it to where I parked it, all 3 fwd gears did work to turn the engine over while towing. I'm in NY state. PM me if I can be of help. Mike Quote
Tony WestOZ Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 The gearbox is the same, you just change the top plate. Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 Charles, Just curious. I have heard many folks wanting to change from column shift to floor shift but not the other way around. Why do you want to make this change? Quote
Charles Furman Posted January 8, 2010 Author Report Posted January 8, 2010 I want to get rid of all the sticks in the middle of the floorboard because my wife has to sit too far away when we are cruisin'. In addition, the only door lock on a Pilothouse woodie is on the passenger side door. All other doors lock by moving the door handle forward. With the sticks gone, I can flip the handle to lock the driver's side door then slide out on the passenger's side rather than having to go around and reach across to lock the driver's door. Quote
48Dodger Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 You're good man Charles, couldn't think of a better reason to make a change like that. I have parts for your coloum too, so let me know what you can't find, and maybe I have it. 48D Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 I want to get rid of all the sticks in the middle of the floorboard because my wife has to sit too far away when we are cruisin'. Zackly how wide is the cab? Using my todays girth measurments I think my wife and I would be touching just sitting in the front seat of a pilothouse. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 Zackly how wide is the cab? Using my todays girth measurments I think my wife and I would be touching just sitting in the front seat of a pilothouse. You must have more girth that I thought. (I won't comment about your wife) 3 across should be easy in a Pilot House. I believe the inside of the cab is 5 feet wide. Merle Quote
Flatie46 Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 Zackly how wide is the cab? Using my todays girth measurments I think my wife and I would be touching just sitting in the front seat of a pilothouse. I'm guessin' the wife doesn't read your posts. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 Merle 3 across in my 46 is quite squishy Quote
lugnut123 Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 does anyone have a spare thigh master? lol Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 8, 2010 Report Posted January 8, 2010 I'm guessin' the wife doesn't read your posts. I sure hope she dont read this one:eek: Quote
41/53dodges Posted January 9, 2010 Report Posted January 9, 2010 how exactly do you lock the doors? Quote
Dennis_MN Posted January 9, 2010 Report Posted January 9, 2010 how exactly do you lock the doors? I get out of my truck, walk around to the passenger side open the door and reach across to the drivers door and lift the door handle up. then I shut the passenger door and use the ignition key to lock the door. It was a cost saving move to have only one key lock on the truck and then only on the passenger side for safety. Besides, these were farm trucks, and no one locked their doors anyway. Now, for other thoughts on this question of removing the floor shifter. Floor shifters are nice to have an excuse to play with your girls knees, opps And Pilothouse cabs are bigger than the old pickup cabs, three will fit on the bench. And my last thought was that perhaps Charles doesn't have a bench seat in his Woodie and instead has two individual seats. Quote
lugnut123 Posted January 9, 2010 Report Posted January 9, 2010 can you redo the shift pattern so up and away is third gear or cut off the shifter and teach your honey to shift with her feet. Just thinking out of the box. Quote
Charles Furman Posted January 10, 2010 Author Report Posted January 10, 2010 Hey, this is Charles' wife Tamara. I was reading all your posts and many of you are very creative. Lugnut123 - I know how to do a lot with my feet, but shifting gears isn't all that interesting, so I think I'll pass. Charles likes me to sit closer to him for a variety of reasons ... but none of them are legal while you are driving a truck down the road. Got it boys? XOXO Quote
48Dodger Posted January 10, 2010 Report Posted January 10, 2010 Charles, I would suggest any automatic transmission and tinted windows. :D48D Quote
carl b51 Posted January 10, 2010 Report Posted January 10, 2010 Charles, it sounds like things are moving already. Leave that truck in the driveway. YEHA Quote
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