Floor to Column Shifter conversion

[JPP]

Hi All,  I currently have a B2B with a three speed on the floor and am looking to swap a column shifter out of a '51 B3B.  Any watch outs looks straight forward.  I plan to remove the top plate from the B2B with the forks and simply place it in the B3B.  I then will do the same with the column shifter top plate then work out all the linkage, am I missing something?  By the looks of the pictures I have seen , I can keep my floor ebrake in place as the column top plate have mount positions for floor lever.  Thanks in advancefor your support.

[Merle Coggins]

You may need to use the complete transmission from the donor column shift truck. I don't have personal experience, but I've heard that the top covers don't swap over as one might expect. If they do I'd be interested to know that. This is a question that comes up from time to time here, but I've never seen anyone successfully change out a top cover to switch from column shift to floor shift, or vice verse.

[52 work truck]

They DO NOT switch out the shifting forks are different. I went the opposite way with my '52 changing to a floor shift 3 speed. My issue with the column shift is the spline at the bottom of the the column is very fine and strips out easily. Makes a somewhat delicate connection. I drive mine a lot and didn't want to fight  to find a gear. Whichever way you jump good luck.

[Jj1981]

I lookEd at the same thing looking at the schematics it should work but not sure be interested to see what everyone says

[The Oil Soup]

I would be interested if this works as I was considering changing the column shift in my B4B to a floor shift. Post some photos!

[JPP]

52 Work Truck,  not sure what you mean, I plan to swap top plate and forks as a unit. Does this not just swap?  I can't imagine they made 2 different transmissions, the print is identical with exception of top plate and linkage, is drawing wrong?

[52 work truck]

Correct, I tried that method and discovered the forks were quite different. I was trying to convert a column shift to a floor shift. I ended up swapping out the transmission. I thought the same thing until I went to switch them.

[JPP]

Ok great thanks, probably easier as tranny is four bolts, and the U joint. Correct?

[52 work truck]

Yup, u joint was the same trans to trans. Cut the head off of a long bolt the same thread as the bell housing helps to install the trans. 

[Merle Coggins]

The u-joints changed mid way through 1950, so an early '50 3 speed column shift should be the same as a '48-'49 floor shift. But a later '50 thru '53 3 speed would likely have a different u-joint.