Register now to get rid of these ads!

Hot Rods I'm thinking ahead, what's a good alternitive?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HOTRODPRIMER, Aug 23, 2018.

  1. I'm not to crazy about the early mustang T handle automatic shiftier in the '50 coupe and thought I would ask what you guys have used .HRP

    [​IMG]
     
    USMercUte, 3W JOHN and chryslerfan55 like this.
  2. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 5,372

    Fordors
    Member

    The Mustang sure looks better than the Lokar style shifter some use in a post ‘48 car. My personal preference would be one that has the appearance of a stick trans shifter, but not to be a poser, I just like that look.
     
  3. I've been gathering parts for a '50 Ford that I haven't yet found. The shifter I've put away for this project is a Hurst / Indy automatic shifter. I have one in my 41 Ford truck and always liked how it worked and felt.
     
    3W JOHN, deadbeat and HOTRODPRIMER like this.
  4. 1965 GTO auto shifter. Compact. White knob.
     

  5. Stock looking column shifter.
     
  6. I have to second that. There isn't ANY store-bought automatic floor shifter that looks right in a '49-early 60s car with a bench seat IMO. Bucket seats and a console, maybe... And a fake 'manual' looking shifter will look, well, fake....

    The upside to those shifters is they're so short and close to the floor that most people don't notice them...
     
  7. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,095

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

  8. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

  9. If you've got your heart set on a floor shifter, look at the one Squirrel built for his AWB Chevy 2. Period correct!
     
  10. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,097

    dan31
    Member

    For a cruiser/ custom i've seen the Lokar shifters with a bend look ok with a bench seat . You believe can get an adaptor that allows you to change the knob while retaining the safety button feature. I think a hot rod with a bench seat and auto on the floor may be a little harder to pull off but not impossible.
     
  11. stubbsrodandcustom
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 2,273

    stubbsrodandcustom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Spring tx

    I'm using a b&m z gate on my 56 but do not have the plastic covers on it, very utilitarian looking but for yours, It may be worth doing a genie shifter or making your own out of that mustang, I can see about 18" to 24" double s bends looking real classy in there honestly. Plus no button if you did that, just a shifter gate. But that's my personal take everyone will have their own opinions on shifters. If you did cut the mustang one off low and build up from it you could also make something super cool and would be one off, use some 1/2" solid square stock twisted like for handrails on the house, only at the bottom and then roll the corners out when you get up to the top to make it round and then taper to thread into a cool shifter knob. The possibilities are endless man. Whatever change you make will be an upgrade so don't stress too hard.
     

    Attached Files:

  12. catdad49
    Joined: Sep 25, 2005
    Posts: 6,401

    catdad49
    Member

    Danny, with a column shift, the missus can sit closer. Just sayin'!
     
  13. ROBERT JAM
    Joined: Nov 13, 2002
    Posts: 1,261

    ROBERT JAM
    Member

    Column would be my choice
     
  14. Terrible80
    Joined: Oct 1, 2010
    Posts: 785

    Terrible80
    Member

    Column is cool, floor shift with an automatic is just the easy way out.

    Sent from my LG-TP450 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
    3W JOHN, 49ratfink and HOTRODPRIMER like this.
  15. BuckeyeBuicks
    Joined: Jan 4, 2010
    Posts: 2,705

    BuckeyeBuicks
    Member
    from ohio

    You already got a hole in the floor, switch it over to a 4 speed, just had to be a smart ass, couldn't help myself:D

    I have to go with the popular opinion, I like the column idea the best.:cool:
     
    NoSurf, nickk, 3W JOHN and 3 others like this.
  16. 62rebel
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 3,232

    62rebel
    Member

    Column. Temple's down in Lexington has to have a couple of automatic shoeboxes you can score the column from.
     
  17. As most of you know I bought this car as a project and having been working on it the past several weeks I can say who ever installed the engine,transmission and rear axle did a good job but some of their other work fell short of the mark, like the short mustang shiftier,I guess it was just easy.

    I like the idea of a column shift also but refuse to use the aftermarket columns, no tilt or telescopic street rod stuff for me,I want to keep it simple.

    This isn't something I have to do right now but I want to start looking for a good replacement column,or at least the parts to convert my existing column back to a automatic or a stick, I adapted my old 40 Ford sedan from a stick shift to a automatic, it was actually pretty straight forward. HRP
     
  18. Use the stock manual 3 spd tube and shifter and adapt it to the auto trans. Some holders/bushings and a plate/arm at the end for the linkage.
     
  19. 62rebel
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 3,232

    62rebel
    Member

    You could probably use the auto column from any Ford up through 54 without too much hassle. Can't say if anything from '56 and newer would work.
     
  20. 56shoebox
    Joined: Sep 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,106

    56shoebox

    Isn't using the Mword banned here? :D
     
  21. If you're looking for a OEM Ford column, look for a '58 through about '62 Cruisomatic unit. Up until those, all Ford automatics only had two detents on the shifter for forward gears (Lo-Drive). The Cruisomatic has the three detents needed for the later trans (Lo-D1-D2).

    Some monkey-motion will be needed if keeping the original steering wheel, but you will gain a built-in turn signal switch.
     
  22. I believe you will find that the automobile itself is considered off topic as is it's later incarnations front suspension but engines,transmissions,seats and rear axles have been installed in many hot rods & customs since the day the started entering the junk yards.HRP
     
    3W JOHN and chryslerfan55 like this.
  23. I am totally a novice when it comes to the shoebox Fords, are the steering boxes part of the steering column like the '54 Fords? HRP
     
    3W JOHN likes this.
  24. My 47 Hudson used the stock shifter from its 3-speed days on the column and simple linkage was built to accommodate the automatic. There was no shift position indicator so you had to feel/count the detent clicks to know what gear it was in. It wasn't perfect as you couldn't pull it all the way into low but it looked right and functioned right in drive or 2nd. All that said to say, I'm with the guys that say put it on the column.
     
  25. Yep.... Ford didn't fully ditch that design until the mid '60s...

    '58 did mark the year that Ford finally removed the horn wire going down through the steering shaft and moved the horn contact to the turn switch. If you retain the stock steering box, you'll have the option of going either way.
     
  26. 40Standard
    Joined: Jul 30, 2005
    Posts: 5,963

    40Standard
    Member
    from Indy

    or you could put a T5 in it
     
    loudbang, 3W JOHN and HOTRODPRIMER like this.
  27. 56shoebox
    Joined: Sep 14, 2011
    Posts: 1,106

    56shoebox

    I was busting your balls HRP. "It's all good" as the kids say.
     
  28. As cool as that would be I prefer to keep this one simple,besides I have a 5 speed in the wagon. HRP
     
    3W JOHN and chryslerfan55 like this.
  29. Yeah, I know. HRP
     
    3W JOHN and chryslerfan55 like this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.