Need some help!! swapping 3 speed stick to 4 speed stick

[jasonfroehlich]

hey guys I got a 53 dodge b3b 1/2 ton and I am wanting to swap my 3 speed to the 4 speed tranny what is the steps to do this? i have the four speed and bell and drive line do i need to use the 3 speed drive line or the 4 speed drive line Thanks for the info on this swap Jason

[Young Ed]

You will need to swap the 4spd bellhousing and the 4spd driveshaft. Why are you wanting to switch to the 4spd? Got some stumps to pull?

[jasonfroehlich]

Thanks Ed, The reason for the swap is my truck has the three speed colum shift and I wanted a stick shift so a guy I know give me the four speed stuff thats the reason, is the four speed slower or does it just have the granny gear? Thanks agian Jason

You will need to swap the 4spd bellhousing and the 4spd driveshaft. Why are you wanting to switch to the 4spd? Got some stumps to pull?

[Young Ed]

Granny gear and possibly non synco

[jasonfroehlich]

I think the truck it is coming out of is a 53 or 54 hows the best way to find out if it is synco.?

Granny gear and possibly non synco

[greg g]

You will not be gaining anything except the ability to pull your house off its foundation should the need arise. The 4 speed has the same final drive ratio as the three speed 1 to 1, all you get is the way under drive 1st gear, so it really not worth the work unless you are going to be working your truck hauling loads or pulling heavy trailers. I don;t believe trucks got synchros till the late 50's earlly 60's, but it only opinion.

[Young Ed]

He also gets a floor shift instead of column which he wanted. Might be easier to find a slightly older floor shifted 3spd. I'm not 100% sure those have the same bolt pattern as the column shifted ones though. Someone has posted pictures of the difference in the drain plugs between syncro and non syncro 4spds. One has a angled one and the other a straight one.

[Merle Coggins]

I believe the floor shift 3 speeds from the early B1 series, and possibly earlier, should be a direct replacement for the column shift version, save for the activation differences.

If the 4 speed is indeed out of a '53 or '53 then it should be the syncronized version. They changed in '51. A quick look at the drain plug will give you a clue, as mentioned already. If it points straight back it's the syncro version. It'll also have the PTO cover behind the oil level/fill plug. The spur gear, or non-syncro, version has the drain plug angled down and the PTO case is in front of the level/fill plug.

Merle

[jasonfroehlich]

Thanks for the help guys i will look to see how the plug is also wondering if some can tell me what type of engine is in this truck the number on the block is 1306*I04553* Thanks agian Jason

I believe the floor shift 3 speeds from the early B1 series, and possibly earlier, should be a direct replacement for the column shift version, save for the activation differences.

If the 4 speed is indeed out of a '53 or '53 then it should be the syncronized version. They changed in '51. A quick look at the drain plug will give you a clue, as mentioned already. If it points straight back it's the syncro version. It'll also have the PTO cover behind the oil level/fill plug. The spur gear, or non-syncro, version has the drain plug angled down and the PTO case is in front of the level/fill plug.

Merle

[Merle Coggins]

I believe it's T306... which means it's likely the original engine, a 218 CID, flat head, inline 6 cylinder, with almost 100 HP when new.

[jasonfroehlich]

Thanks Merle, I looked at the transmission the plug is straight back in it. I think everything will work with the 4 speed swap, but not sure if I am gonna have to have the drive shaft cut down, because the 4 speed appears to be about 2 inches longer than the 3 speed and the drive line thats in the 4 speed truck is 116 wheel base. Thanks agian Jason

I believe it's T306... which means it's likely the original engine, a 218 CID, flat head, inline 6 cylinder, with almost 100 HP when new.