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Top Loader Shifter on a Side Shift Tranny

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Tim Rocheford, Oct 4, 2012.

  1. Tim Rocheford
    Joined: Oct 24, 2007
    Posts: 28

    Tim Rocheford
    Member

    Anyone out there adapted a shift tower from a ford top loader to work a side shift on a three speed GM transmission? I've seen some fuzzy pictures, but nothing close up.
     
  2. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    I saw that shift tower cover mod on the hamb classifieds a while back, but it was on a 50 Olds trans. It did not show the important part, as to how the linkage was made.


    Eelco made a shifter that looked like a top shifter tower, to use on sideshift Cad/LaSalles. I have one that I hope to copy to make one for other transmissions.
     
  3. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    Im going to do this to a selector shift 55 olds trans i have. Im nervous about cutting up the forks for the original trans, i dont want to be screwed if it doesnt work.

    Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
     
  4. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    There was a shifter sold back in the late 50's or early 60's called (I think) the X shifter. It was sort of like an early Ford top loader but had a flat platform that bolted to the top of the transmission and the arms came off of the sides of that platform to work the transmission arms.

    I have never seen one personally, just in the magazines. It must not have been very popular or sucessful because they didn't seem to be around for long.

    Don
     

  5. oldspert
    Joined: Sep 10, 2006
    Posts: 1,263

    oldspert
    Member
    from Texas

    There was also a complete case casting to put later Chevy three speed internals in it and use an early chevy tower shift mechanism. Don't remember who cast it but it had to have been in the late 60's or early 70's.
     
    Sixhundred sixteen likes this.
  6. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    Im half way thru mounting a 39 toploader top cover to fit my 55 olds selector shift.

    ive been taking pictures as i go. ill post the photos if it works
     
  7. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 8,798

    Marty Strode
    Member

    That was an Offenhauser "X" shifter, it was a case that utilized 55-64 Chevy 3 speed internals, along with the top from 38 and back Chevy, some friends of mine have them in their cars.This shot is a toploader Ford with the Jeep T-150 top.
     

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  8. expavr
    Joined: Jul 28, 2006
    Posts: 78

    expavr

    I took a shift tower from an early Ford truck removed the forks, machined the shift rods flat on one side, fabricated flat plates to attach to the rods, fabricated brackets with fingers to transfer the top loader horizontal shift motion to the vertical side shift motion. The fingers slip over rollers on shift arms attached to the side shift fork linkage. A similar setup should be doable on any transmission. The Merc O/D with this modified linkage has over 1500 miles on it in my 40 Ford Tonner.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member


    Post pics EVEN if it does not work so good. Someone might be able to help.
     
  10. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    I removed the original shift forks.

    Disassembled the ford shift tower

    Im considering modifying the larger original shift fork to work with the R-1 and then ill only have to make one more, but after seeing the pictures above im thinking fabing both may be easier and better

    Currently i have the larger fork modified to fit the R-1 and reassembled like stock with the shifter, but it puts the shifter way at the back of the trans, it would be in conveinient
     

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    Y8er likes this.
  11. Flat Ernie
    Joined: Jun 5, 2002
    Posts: 8,406

    Flat Ernie
    Tech Editor

  12. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    Im trying to avoid doing that just because i dont like the way it looks plus i dont think it will ever shift smoothly

    I believe this setup will work well, and its not bulky at all.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2012
  13. expavr
    Joined: Jul 28, 2006
    Posts: 78

    expavr

    One thing you will need to consider if you are thinking about setting up your toploader like I did is the rotational effect of the arms sliding back and forth in the shift tower. If you notice there are 3 OEM shift rods in my tower. The center rod is used to prevent the brackets from rotating as they are moved fore and aft. With your shift tower you will need to design a stabilizer to prevent that from happening.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    the shafts have a provision for roll pins thru the shift fork i should be ok?
     
  15. PackardV8
    Joined: Jun 7, 2007
    Posts: 1,170

    PackardV8
    Member

    The guys with Borg-Warner T86 and T96 3-speeds put the Jeep top cover on them all the time. One little bit of welding on those with overdrive and a lockout lever, but otherwise cake.

    FWIW, the feel of the top shifter is definitely old school. Those raised on the Hurst shift floor shift conversion don't always like it.

    FWIW, the Ford 3-speed all-synchro top loader with the Jeep top shifter is ten times better box than the older Ford/GM/B-W non-synchro first gear. If I wanted a 3-speed, that's the way to go, but then why not have a 5-speed? That's ten times better yet again.

    jack vines
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2012
  16. Window Licker
    Joined: Apr 18, 2009
    Posts: 287

    Window Licker
    Member

    I finally came up with a good way to do it, i need to build the parts

    Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
     
  17. buford26
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 154

    buford26
    Member


    Did you ever get this to work?
     
  18. 40FordGuy
    Joined: Mar 24, 2008
    Posts: 2,907

    40FordGuy
    Member

    Ditto, what Packard said; Use a toploader, with the Jeep shifter. t150, or a RUG unit are both good to go with that same shifter.

    4TTRUK
     
  19. Sixhundred sixteen
    Joined: Nov 2, 2012
    Posts: 37

    Sixhundred sixteen
    Member
    from Utah

    Offenhauser made it; early 60's.
     
  20. Scott De Shields
    Joined: Mar 23, 2011
    Posts: 165

    Scott De Shields
    Member

    Got a late model Ford three speed with the Jeep t-150 set up if anyone is interested. Also got small block Chevy bell housing that works with this transmission. Changed over to a late model Ford four speed with Jeep T-175 shifter tower, bolted it up to my flathead in the 40
     

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