Moving Shifter Location on Top Loader

FirstTimer67 · Sep 9, 2020

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 · Sep 10, 2020

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

NicksTrix · Sep 10, 2020

put a 5 speed in it

Jdgephar · Sep 10, 2020

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 · Sep 10, 2020

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.

FirstTimer67 · Sep 10, 2020

charlie6976 said:
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.

FirstTimer67 · Sep 10, 2020

Itsa67 said:
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 · Sep 10, 2020

" 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.

FirstTimer67 · Sep 10, 2020

SHX669 said:
" 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 · Sep 10, 2020

FirstTimer67 said:
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 · Sep 10, 2020

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 · Sep 11, 2020

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?

nvrstuk · Sep 11, 2020

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 · Sep 11, 2020

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 · Sep 11, 2020

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 · Sep 11, 2020

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.

Itsa67 · Sep 11, 2020

rguest3 said:
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).

FirstTimer67 · Sep 12, 2020

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 · Sep 12, 2020

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 · Sep 12, 2020

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!

Moving Shifter Location on Top Loader

Newbie

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Newbie

Newbie

Bronco Guru

Newbie

Sr. Member

Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!

Bronco Guru

Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!

Bronco Guru

Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Newbie

Full Member

Just a Bronco driver for over 50 yrs!

Similar threads