Keep The Column Shift?

[Okie69]

Just for fun has anyone ever found a way to keep the manual on the column with a substantially stronger motor? Strengthen the stock transmission? Adapt something else to work with the stock shifter etc?

 

[bigmuddy]

How much power are you adding? A lot of the old timers would run them with mild builds.

I think the question is how many horses will the RAT tranny take without blowing up?

 

[Prizefighter]

Column shift is one of the best parts of a Bronco. Nostalgic

 

[markatherton]

column

The toploader 3 speed , any toploader for that matter is one of the strongest transmissions made. The column shift has nothing to do with strength it is merely a method of changing the shift levers.

 

[904Bronco]

Column shift is one of the best parts of a Bronco. Nostalgic

Don't forget the theft protection benifit!

 

[Okie69]

How much power are you adding? A lot of the old timers would run them with mild builds.

I think the question is how many horses will the RAT tranny take without blowing up?

This is all hypothetical I’m just wondering if it has been done. Let’s say a something like 450 ish on hp/tq.

 

[Okie69]

Column shift is one of the best parts of a Bronco. Nostalgic

That’s right! It’s not an issue now but the question is in future iterations could a guy keep the RAT/RAN in a more high performance application.

 

[CowboyGrin]

Column shift is one of the best parts of a Bronco. Nostalgic

Lol, to each their own. My first vehicle was a '68 F100 SWB with inline 6 and 3 on the tree. Couldn't swap in a V8 and 4 on the floor fast enough. Nostalgic or not, I have no desire to drive a manual column shift ever again.

 

[Scoop]

I'm in the "ditch the column shifter" mindset too. I've had several vehicles with 3 on the tree. To me, they are just not fun to drive. Same with automatics, I much prefer a floor shifter and have converted several automatics to the floor.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Worn out column shift sucks. But a fresh column shift is great.
The 3-speed is very strong. They were sometimes used behind big blocks. Also popular for a time in circle track racing as they were a little lighter, a little simplier, and a lot cheaper than a 4-speed.

 

[jckkys]

It's easy to see that a column shift is more efficient because you're hands are on the steering wheel and that's where the shifter is. That's why the paddle shifters are so popular in race and rally cars.

 

[okie4570]

I'll take a 4sp or 5sp floor shift that's in the middle of the tunnel, can't stand moving a column shift to the floor for the same 3sp transmission. Hate having it along my knee. I have had one like it, and moved it back to the column lol.

 

[Okie69]

Surprise surprise a bunch of EB owners like different things.

But, the general consensus is that the stock 3 speed can handle a lot more than the monstrous 205 stock HP?

 

[Broncobowsher]

Correct. The stock 3-speed has plenty of HP capacity. Nobody usually cares because it is just a 3-speed.

 

[msmith]

I'll take a 4sp or 5sp floor shift that's in the middle of the tunnel, can't stand moving a column shift to the floor for the same 3sp transmission. Hate having it along my knee. I have had one like it, and moved it back to the column lol.

I'm probably never going to do a 4 or 5 speed, but like you, I prefer the column shift since I'm sticking with the 3 speed. The shifter is right there handy and out of the way.

 

[sprdv1]

Column shift is one of the best parts of a Bronco. Nostalgic

for sure brother, when I finally have an uncut LUBR, thinking about 3 on the tree...

 

[rguest3]

For an all original build, I'd keep the Column Shift.

Otherwise, not a chance. AX-15 would be my choice.

 

[chrlsful]

simple - bent shift rods, replace bushings, lube & tranny top off.
More difficult - removal _ inside - replace shift tube'n more.
500 HP, its a 'top loader' but 3 not 4 speed. 6 v 8 cylinder models
RAN or RAT