pflaming Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) I am not aware of a three speed on the floor transmission but if there is, Is it possible to take the top from a three-on-the-tree transmission and swap it with a three on the floor? Edited September 9, 2014 by pflaming Quote
Young Ed Posted September 9, 2014 Report Posted September 9, 2014 What are you working on? Trucks had 3spd floor shifts of course and Plymouths had them 1939 and older. I do not believe you can swap parts as the column shift 3 spds do not really have a "top" to remove. Quote
pflaming Posted September 9, 2014 Author Report Posted September 9, 2014 I would like to have a floor shift in my suburban which will have bucket seats. So I would like a three on the floor with my OD in that car. . Quote
48Dodger Posted September 10, 2014 Report Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) Bob (Dodgeb4ya) and and I were talking on the phone about that the other day. I sort of put it on the back burner because the decision was made to use a T-5. The early spur geared 3 speeds are not the desired box, but the syncro-ed 3 on the tree version used in 1950 trucks. The Top of the box is fixed with links to the steering colum, which is where the problem is. Can you switch the top to a floor shifter. I understand that you can, but it takes a bit of modification and isn't a straight swap. It also raises the question "what's wrong with the 4 speed syncro?" Since I don't work directly with the stock equipment, I have no answer. I do have plenty of stock boxes around and would be interested to know what the process is. 48D Edited September 10, 2014 by 48dodger 1 Quote
Desotodav Posted September 10, 2014 Report Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) It is interesting that you raise this question PP as I soon plan on switching my 53 truck back from a floor shift to a column shift. It appears that it originally had a column shift and at some stage got switched. I would have thought that changing the top of the box (the linkage section) would have been an easy task. I actually picked up my most recent truck for that very reason - I knew that it was the same year/model truck and that it had the original column shift intact. I removed the floor panel from it today as the one in the other truck has a hole chopped in it where the gear shift went. I'm working on wheels and diff at present, but will make sure that I update my build thread with gearbox details when I get to that stage. Fingers crossed that I can change the gearbox from floor shift to column shift without too much difficulty! From what I have seen of the original car gearboxes, I'm not sure that your floor to column shift plan for your suburban would be possible. Edited September 10, 2014 by Desotodav Quote
pflaming Posted September 10, 2014 Author Report Posted September 10, 2014 Since this is a shifter topic, I'll add this note. I have a friend who is a top notch fabricator and has full access to a CNC machine. We are working on a floor shifter for a three on the tree. Our plans are to make a stub vertical shaft to which various sizes of shifting posts can be attached. For example, bucket seats could/would use a different post that bench seats. If/when we are successful, I'll so note. Any interest in such a device? Quote
deathbound Posted September 10, 2014 Report Posted September 10, 2014 What are you working on? Trucks had 3spd floor shifts of course and Plymouths had them 1939 and older. I do not believe you can swap parts as the column shift 3 spds do not really have a "top" to remove. Plymouth:1938 & earlier had floor shift, 1939 was the first year for column shift. Quote
Young Ed Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Plymouth:1938 & earlier had floor shift, 1939 was the first year for column shift. Not quite. 39 was both. The cheap roadking models were floorshift and the deluxe models had column shift. 1 Quote
deathbound Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Not quite. 39 was both. The cheap roadking models were floorshift and the deluxe models had column shift. That clarifies it for the OP on which '39 models. Quote
48Dodger Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Not quite. 39 was both. The cheap roadking models were floorshift and the deluxe models had column shift. Are these the spur geared tran boxes with the angled drain plug? 48D Quote
Young Ed Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Are these the spur geared tran boxes with the angled drain plug? 48D Car stuff Tim. I believe they are still syncro 3spds but its been a while since I drove a 39. Quote
TodFitch Posted September 11, 2014 Report Posted September 11, 2014 Car stuff Tim. I believe they are still syncro 3spds but its been a while since I drove a 39. '35 and up should have synchros. Late '31 through '34 are constant mesh with sliding dog clutches but no synchro lock out. The late '31 and '32 are with the old four cylinder engine and are a totally different setup than the '33 and '34 which might actually bolt up to a later car. Quote
countrytravler Posted February 9, 2015 Report Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) 39 column shift trans can be converted to floor shift. 1940 had the shift forks on the side of trans. Edited February 9, 2015 by countrytravler Quote
timkingsbury Posted February 13, 2015 Report Posted February 13, 2015 39 column shift trans can be converted to floor shift. 1940 had the shift forks on the side of trans. yes, 1939 is a year on to its own so you could have the top load or floor shift and you could have column shift which was done with a cable. It is the only year tranny I know of that you can do that. Not in trucks, but in Chryslers /Desotos 1939 also saw Overdrive and the first use of the solenoid so it would electrically kick it out of overdrive. Prior to that you have to go down to about 25-35 mph to get it out of overdrive Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.