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Moving Shifter Location on Top Loader

FirstTimer67

Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
31
Been dreaming for the last few years and just picked up my first Bronco last week, a 67 Sport. It already has a 351W and a 4spd Top Loader with a Hurst shifter installed using the TBP bracket but I'm 6'5" and struggle with just how close the shifter sits to my leg.

I want to modify the mounting bracket to bring the shifter toward the dash and closer to center for a more comfortable knob position, but that means fabricating both bracket and new linkage, and also sliding the t-case shifter handle over as well.

Am I crazy? Has it been done? Other suggestions?
 

charlie6976

Full Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2014
Messages
404
Loc.
Grand Coulee WA
Moving all that 'stuff' around in such a small space seems like a lot of work.
4 spd Top Loader with a Hurst shifter.
All you need to do is change/modify your shifter stick. Search Hurst shifter sticks. You can heat and bend the shifter stick. Just try to do it below the shifter boot so it doesn't show. I had to bend mine a little to the right.

An aftermarket t-case handle or twin sticks can be heated and bent. I heated and bent Duff's twin sticks to miss my under dash a/c.

The crazy part?:-X
 

Jdgephar

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
1,380
I just bent the handle on mine as well. I'm also 6'5". It works for me.

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk
 

Itsa67

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
467
I recently purchased a toploader for my Bronco with the Jeep T-176 (I think) shifter conversion. This sounds exactly like what you are looking for. It places the shifter on top of the transmission much like a NP435.
 
OP
OP
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FirstTimer67

Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
31
Moving all that 'stuff' around in such a small space seems like a lot of work.

I probably should have added that the shifter/linkage situation as it stands is pretty pathetic. The current linkage rods are bent beyond normal, one is installed backwards, and another one has an extension screwed to it so I’m assuming it wasn’t exactly designed for the application. I definitely need to redo the entire linkage so I’m already having to tear into it somewhat and I can’t seem to find the Hurst install kit with the right fitment.
 
OP
OP
F

FirstTimer67

Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
31
I recently purchased a toploader for my Bronco with the Jeep T-176 (I think) shifter conversion. This sounds exactly like what you are looking for. It places the shifter on top of the transmission much like a NP435.

First time hearing about this conversion. Definitely looks promising but after a quick search it looks like it requires some modification of the case to gain clearance for the reverse fork. Thanks for the heads up though, this sounds promising for a long term fix once I start tackling drivetrain.
 

SHX669

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 9, 2009
Messages
1,997
" Top loader " is a little generic - which one do you have ? There is one 4 speed version where 4th is overdrive . The shifter for that one is a little conveluted and I think one of the shift rods is reversed.
 
OP
OP
F

FirstTimer67

Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
31
" Top loader " is a little generic - which one do you have ? There is one 4 speed version where 4th is overdrive . The shifter for that one is a little conveluted and I think one of the shift rods is reversed.

Good question. I was under the impression it was a true 4spd, not the o/d version but I haven’t verified the serial number. Does that change the install kit and linkage rod angles or are you suggesting that the trick on the o/d configuration is to just flip one of the rods around to make it fit?
 

Itsa67

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
467
Good question. I was under the impression it was a true 4spd, not the o/d version but I haven’t verified the serial number. Does that change the install kit and linkage rod angles or are you suggesting that the trick on the o/d configuration is to just flip one of the rods around to make it fit?

You can visually verify if it is the overdrive version by a bulge on the side of the transmission. Look up David Kee toploader imposter for a pic of what I'm talking about.
 

nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
9,384
Loc.
PNW
Night and day between the two. Us old guys never and I mean never referenced the O/D model as a "toploader" because it was as we referred to it "a piece of crap"! lol We drove muscle cars and who wanted or cared about O/D? Nobody. :)

I ran both those tranny's (I was looking for mpg and the o/d didn't help at all) and I also converted the top of my true toploader after a couple years to a top mounted shifter. I drove almost a 1/2mile each day over a muddy farm field to my house and after appr 3-5 days the linkage would get so "crudded up" with mud I'd have to try to get under my Bronco and hose it off. Well, I lived in mud so laying down to hose it off wasn't happening very often! lol

Anyway, the top mounted shifter was great. Had to weld onto the top corner of the case and tap it for a bolt so the Heep cover would bolt on and cover the guts inside. Loved it. Shifted quick, never gummed up with mud/crud.

This was the early 90s and I went thru my second output shaft from Advance Adapters at SOB IV or V in Oregon in the late '90's. Gave up with Advance since they couldn't make a quality output shaft.
 

rguest3

Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
3,780
FirstTimer67 - The shifter I have for my Top Loader is the hurst 5384084. It has a 4" offset to the right, 15" Tall and swept Back 5.5". This shifter is out of the way for leg clearance and does not hit the dash. I still don't like the location on the side of the tunnel though.

Anybody have pictures or know of any write-ups of the Top Loader Shifter Conversion?

Very interested to see what the conversion entails!

Anyone that has done this shifter conversion, does the transmission still have the quick shifting as with the original shifter?
 
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nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
9,384
Loc.
PNW
Like I mentioned about, it still shifts fast. Not "bang it into gear racing" fast but compared to any other top shifter trans Ivedriven-it was faster and much smoother.

I'm so old they didn't have camera's so no pic's. Wish I would have documented it because it was simple and fixed my issues with it.

Hurst Competition Plus linkage. Cut off about 6+ inches so the shifter doesnt stick upnso high. Space the very end of the shifter where it bolts to the linkage at least 2" right there. This allows it to still co.e.thru the boot ok. Then you can still bend it some more if needed away from your leg.

Important thing is to get rid of the 16+ inches of shifter sticking up so high. Those handles are designed for bench seats that sit 6" off the floor in a '60's Fairlane or equiv! :)

Have fun.
 

rguest3

Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
3,780
Couple thoughts about this shifter location conversion.

Once the Jeep T176 Shifter is on top of the Ford Top Loader, which Reverse shift pattern does it have?

Is the Reverse now Passenger Side and Back like the Jeep transmission, or does the shift pattern remain the same as the original Ford Top Loader with the Reverse Drivers Side and Forward?
 

nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
9,384
Loc.
PNW
I can't remember if I put sugar in my coffee yet and you want me to remember the shift pattern on a trans I had 25 yrs ago!!!??? LOL

Seriously- no clue!! :)
 

rguest3

Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
3,780
That's funny!

FirstTimer 67 - There is a complete T-176 Shifter housing listed on eBay if you are interested in doing this conversion. This would create a lot more leg room.
 
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Itsa67

Contributor
Sr. Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
467
Couple thoughts about this shifter location conversion.

Once the Jeep T176 Shifter is on top of the Ford Top Loader, which Reverse shift pattern does it have?

Is the Reverse now Passenger Side and Back like the Jeep transmission, or does the shift pattern remain the same as the original Ford Top Loader with the Reverse Drivers Side and Forward?

Mine is now down and to the right according to the previous owner. ( I have not installed it yet).
 
OP
OP
F

FirstTimer67

Newbie
Joined
Sep 9, 2020
Messages
31
Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions. I am please to announce that the transmission is in fact a bonafide toploader and not an o/d imposter. I think for now I’m going to stick with some gentle repositioning of the existing mounting plate and then install an offset shifter. I also realized today that the reverse shifter connector can be inverted to put reverse to be left and up rather than left and back. I think that’s how the Hurst is meant to be installed but either way it works and should reduce the cramped feeling in reverse. That combined with the new tilt column and WH steering wheel that came today gives me a setup worth experimenting with before doing anything drastic.

Thanks again for the help, you guys have been an awesome resource!
 

broncochevy

Full Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
372
Loc.
Orcutt, CA
I too had a Bronco with a top loader and loved the transmission, and like you; the op, I did not like the position of the shifter. I like the idea of the conversion to be top shifter and have the shifter in the center of the trans hump and be more out of the way. I did not know about the conversion of the top cover to integrate the shifter, but rather looked for a top loader with that shifter to swap in with no luck. I think they may not be too loaders, but rather an imposter, I may be wrong. They were from the 80’s I believe and may have been behind a Windsor engine in a f150 or van maybe. Never could find one. Think they were listed on that website identifying the top loaders.
 

nvrstuk

Contributor
Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!
Joined
Jul 31, 2001
Messages
9,384
Loc.
PNW
Those ars tbe O/D imposters!! lol tbats wbat I tried for a year. No mpg difference (back when I cared) and still the same 8N Yractor gear splits!! Worthless for me. I was looking so hard back then for a 5 spd. Even wrote letters to Fourwheeler, Advaance Adapters and a couple other places. Got a written reply from 4 wheeler! ;) found it about 10 yrs ago!
 
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