Transmission / Overdrive: 3sp floor shifter

[ozarkman]

I've got a chance to pick up this floor shifter, but...there's always a but...the guy doesn't know what if fits. He says it bolts onto where the transmission bolts to the bell-housing. Anyone think this will fit a T-86, or can it be modified to fit?
He thinks it's from a Ford truck.

[Mark57]

Topshifter

Looks nothing like the top shifter conversion I have on my T-86.

[rusty nut garage]

this appears to be a common universal floor shifter from back in the day, I installed one on a 60lrk with OD. It didn't really fit well and I'm not happy with the outcome, its going to take more fabrication to finish it correctly. If your installing it on a straight 3sp no OD it will go much easier. It was orignially sold with multiple universal brackets to fit many applications.
Russ

I've got a chance to pick up this floor shifter, but...there's always a but...the guy doesn't know what if fits. He says it bolts onto where the transmission bolts to the bell-housing. Anyone think this will fit a T-86, or can it be modified to fit?
He thinks it's from a Ford truck.

[hawk gt 62 rhd]

Is it with or without OD,BIG difference

[starliner62]

I'm also looking for a floor shifter for my t-86/OD transmission. I know I'll have to fabricate some brackets. I had a friend give me one but I have never seen anything like it. I'll try and post some pics of it in the morning.

[Flashback]

You can "make" this fit a O/D trans, but the key word is MAKE. Once you get it on, you will
not be happy. If you are going to fabricate, start with a Good shifter. Look on the tech pages.
There are examples.

[PackardV8]

FWIW, I've driven cars with the cheaper universal Mr. Gasket, Sparkomatic, Ansen, Almquist, J.C.Whitney, shifters for many thousands of miles. They work fine for everyday driving. However, if you want it to be right, get an old Hurst.

Another FWIW, I've installed several shifters with the tranny in the car. Never again. Nowadays, if I'm doing a shifter conversion, I pull the tranny, clean it thoroughly and put it on the bench.

As previously mentioned, the overdrive solenoids and in-out levers can get in the way of the shifter rods. It is always possible to route the rods around the obstructions, but a bent rod is not as strong as a straight one.



I did this conversion for a pickup but the same idea would work for a car, just positioning the shifter further back. Note on the T85, the solenoid and the in-out lever are just where the shifter would like to be mounted. Putting it higher requires fabricating a small console, but that's what has worked best for me.

jack vines

BTW, I've got several old universal shifters and one NIB Hurst Indy shifter. If anyone wants to go that way, PM me.

[jclary]

As has been said, "back in the day" there were many offerings and versions. Some better than others. I would want one complete with shift lever. Many had plastic bushings which were the first thing to crack and fall out. Then you would have a sloppy noisy rattling shifter prone to hang ups. Not all the levers will fit well and could interfere with your seat, but they will provide a good pattern for you to modify or fabricate your own.

Look for one with instructions, good bushings for the shift rods, and rugged mounting brackets. Then weigh what you gain for your efforts against the trouble to install.

[PackardV8]

Then weigh what you gain for your efforts against the trouble to install.

FWIW, I've installed a floor shifter conversion in every Stude I've owned. IMHO, they are the best single improvement one can make to a standard shift Stude. I enjoy driving one twice as much with a good floor shifter.

As an aside when I work on any Studes which still use the column shift, there is so much slop and misalignment, cracked pot metal parts, I wonder how the owner could stand to drive it. Actually, some didn't. I got a steal of a deal on a truck with a transmission which jumped out of gear. Turned out, there was nothing wrong with the transmission. The column shift linkage was so worn, it wasn't going fully into gear, thus, it jumped out. A floor shift and I sold the truck for 3X what I paid for it.

jack vines

[1954khardtop]

Jack, what an awesome idea! I never thought of mounting the shifter to the side cover bolts. Back in the day I had a muncie 4 speed behind a chevy 283 in my '54 K. The reverse lever of the shifter hit the bat wing cross member. My solution at age 18 was not to park where I had to back up! Your set up would have saved many '55 to '57 chevy front seats from being "notched" for shifter clearance.

[jclary]

Jack, I wasn't knocking the conversions. I had a Hurst similar to the one you showed on my non overdrive three speed hot rod Chevy truck back in the '60's. I had a buddy with one of those late '60's Chevy 6 cylinder trucks with a worn column shift. He always kept a big screwdriver handy so he could run out, pop the hood and un-hang the shifter rods when they hung up.

After admiring my set up, he went to Western Auto and bought a cheap kit. It wasn't long until he was having to crawl under the truck to un hang that one.

It is the old story...you get what you pay for.

[Bob Andrews]

How would any of these be better than the T-90 top shifter conversion? No linkage, and no brackets to fabricate.

May very well be, I just am wondering how.

[mbstude]

Jack V., did you ever do a "how to" thread on that Shifter? I have the same T85/T89 transmission in my truck and would love to put in a floor shift. I could likely make everything, but would be a lot simpler with your info on how to do it. If you don't mind sharing, that is.

How would any of these be better than the T-90 top shifter conversion? No linkage, and no brackets to fabricate.

May very well be, I just am wondering how.

Many transmissions have a side cover and not a top cover. Like the T85 that Jack posted a picture of. I don't think the Jeep shifter conversion will work on all of 'em.

[Bob Andrews]

Many transmissions have a side cover and not a top cover. Like the T85 that Jack posted a picture of. I don't think the Jeep shifter conversion will work on all of 'em.

True, and I know that. But Fred started this thread asking about a T-86 converson.

[mbstude]

I've only personally dealt with T85's and Flightomatics, so I'm not familiar with T-86's. What're the details on the floor shift conversion? What all's needed?