Transmission / Overdrive: How hard is it to fix a sloppy column shifter?

[Matt129]

Hello everyone, I sold my 53 champion a while ago and now I’m looking at a 63 champ truck. Truck needs a lot of cosmetic work but mechanically seems really sound and drives really well. The only issue with it is that the column shifter is SUPER worn out. You can’t tell when you’re in or out of gear, or in neutral. If I didn’t know how to drive a 3 on the tree by memory I’d be completely lost lol. The worst bit is that when you shift out of first sometimes it hangs in first and you have to wiggle the lever up and down until it finally disengages. According to the owner all of the bushings are just shot. My question is, would it be easier/cheaper to fix this shifter, or convert it over to a floor shift, and what either option would entail? Thank you for any info you can give me!

[JoeHall]

A floor shift is more ergonomic, and east to install, but get a good one, basically a Hurst clone. The same company has changed names several times over the decades, last I heard they were called FoxCraft. I have installed 2-3 of them, and they are good for at least 100,000 miles before shifts begin to get sloppy.

If keeping the OEM column shift, probably easier to get a good, used one. There's not much in the way of "bushings" that can be replaced to fixed the overall looseness. If you can access a good welder, the tracks in the collars, and the slider that mates to them can be welded up and filed back down, but much easier to just replace. Whether replacing with a good used column, or reconditioning the old one, it's best to totally disassemble, inspect, clean, re-lube and repaint, and replace the firewall seal while you're at it. I have done this to a couple of 56Js, and one GT, and the column shift will outlast even the best aftermarket floor shift, once properly reconditioned, but the secret is to grease the fitting at bottom of the column every 5000 miles or so, and oil-can the adjacent shift lever ears.

While at it, insure the shift lever bushings on the transmission are as new, or else it will still be sloppy even with a new floor shift, or rebuilt column shift. Matter of fact, I'd start with those, as they may be completely worn out, and the single best thing you can do, at least in the short run.

[PackardV8]

FWIW, I installed my first Studebaker floor shifter conversion in 1963 and since then have converted every one I've owned. A good floor shifter, and yes Hurst is the best, makes for a much better driving experience.

It is to be noted, the car kits put the shifter too far rearward in trucks. I fabricate my own shifter bracket to move the lever forward and toward the center.

jack vines

[bensherb]

In several applications I've simply mounted the shifter to the floor where I wanted it and made or modified shift rods to fit. I do tend to use stiff engine/trans mounts though. With really soft-n-squishy mounts this may not work as well.

[shifter4]

IMHO the first thing to do , is to get under the truck , and see what the bushings look like . Without that info , this is just feeling around in the dark .
You might discover some other things worth noting , while you are down there , (or up there , if unlike me , you have it on a lift ) ....
Please keep us up on how this goes .

[rockne10]

Sometimes the wear is in the detent that's welded to the tube through the steering column, the part the shift lever actually engages. If that's the case you can rebuild the detent with some light welding and use a die grinder to re-establish a good fit.

[6hk71400]

What does Mike Baker have to say? He was at the International Co operator and also had a booth promoting the AOIA and signing up memberships. He would be the best to advise you as he can put professional eyes on the car to give advice.

[JoeHall]

I'd also check the roll pin the shift handle pivots on. They often wallow out the hole in the shift collar and make for sloppy shifting. But I'd still remove the entire column assembly, disassemble, and repair anything that's worn. After that it will shift as it should, and you'll never wear it out. Mt 56J now has about 175,000 miles on the column I serviced and installed in 1986. Still shifts as it should, but I used a later year collar, with more meat around the roll pin hole, mentioned above.