Manual Column 3 Speed

[wmish]

All right I've finally gotton sick and tired of my 3 on the tree set up. It falls out of 2nd gear going over bumps and it is forever getting stuck in 3rd gear because the shift linkage binds up on its self. Now the Retaining clips have broken off the shift linkage (I know easy fix but I'm looking to improve the situation).

Is it possible or even worth fixing the column shift linkage. I have read on this board about rebuilting the column. Has anyone else dealt with this problem if so was a column rebuild the fix? or should I just go with a floor shifter?

Are the floor shifters more reliable? I've heard a lot of good things about Duff's Original 3 speed shifter. With the exception of cutting the hole in the tunnel is this mostly a bolt on type of project? Does anyone have any pics of the mod?

Thanks
Bill

 

[6677ebman]

I, personally, am a purist, and would keep it on the column, I don't think it would take much to fix it, probably just some new shifter bushings & keepers. "3 on the tree" setups are truly a thing of the past & most (younger) folks nowadays are pretty wowed by them, I'd have to respect the 'ol Bronco, being that's the way it came, & leave it there. JBG should have all of the column parts for it.

 

[wildbill]

;D ;D ;D Im on the other side of the fence go to the floor works much better. People change a lot of things on there bronco's becuse they want something from it. Better performance more go better stoping that is why you got a toy to play with. My 66 has a lot of upgrade stuf disk brakes,elec. wipers,4 spe top loader,locker in rear true track front (real 4X4) P/S;D Im grtting old and it was hard to steer with 33's and it is my TOY and I like to play have fun with your toy.;D ;D ;D Bill %)

 

[th45cruzr]

i was a "on the tree purist" until i went wheelin for the first time with the new V8 and the column shifter. I was missing gears all the time and the engine torque-over was binding the shift arms. Now i do have a fairly built motor, so most people wouldn't have the same problems i have, but i need a shifter that can keep up with me so the floor's getting cut in January for a floor shifter. If you want to preserve your truck, keep the column shifter, otherwise cut it up like the majority of us.

 

[m_m70]

what I did was replace the linkage bushings at the colum and the transmission. put a new shift colar and shifter tube. adjusted the linkage and works like new. It took all of about 1 1/2 hours (I replaced the turn signal swith while I was in there) and was the only "no hassle" fix I have yet to do on my truck. I personally like my three on the tree.
Mike

 

[MKD]

Most of my wheelin' is in the mud where you don't need a particularly quick shift. Yeah, my column shift is getting a little slow but I think I'll eventually just replace the worn out parts. You can't beat 'em for fun watching a younger person trying to figure out how to "put it in drive"!! The cool factor must be pretty high. I'm in my 50's and younger guys are often asking me about how it works.

But, like some of the others said, if you really want it to shift faster and smoother for HD wheelin' and especially if it's cut up already, go for the floor job. Me, I'm keeping it as stock and uncut as possible.

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

I had to put in a floor shifter due to a bad shoulder. The floor shifter has a nice, positive feel to it... snick-snick-snick, and it is faster. But not alot faster. The stock 3spd will never shift like the TL4spd.
Now that I've had my shoulder replaced, I sometimes miss the column shift. It's part of the experience of driving something 35 years old. And I always thought it was a good theft deterent too.

How's that for sitting on the fence?

 

[giordano]

I'm a big fan of my "3 on the tree"... then again, i've never had any problems with it. I'm only 20 so most of the guys i wheel with or go to school with don't know how to drive it. I think that's worth keeping it, but then again, when the 435 finally comes my way i won't hesitate to swap it out. Maybe a "4 on the tree" is in order.... doesn't sound as cool as "4 on the floor" though.

Richard

 

[wmish]

You've convinced me for now... I'm going to get the column rebuild kit, as most of the truck is stock and hasn't been cut up. Hopefully this solves the problem otherwise I'll be cutting...for three on the floor.

what I did was replace the linkage bushings at the colum and the transmission. put a new shift colar and shifter tube. adjusted the linkage and works like new. It took all of about 1 1/2 hours (I replaced the turn signal swith while I was in there) and was the only "no hassle" fix I have yet to do on my truck. I personally like my three on the tree.
Mike

Mike what did you use to put the rubber bushings on? Is the shifter pretty tight now or does it still have a little slop?

Thanks
Bill

 

[DarthBronco]

i'm kinda digg'n my 3 on the tree. I had never drove a manual column shift before last week. shifts are not quite as 'tight' as in my mustang, but like others said the 'cool' factor is high

i vote rebuild the 3 on tree

 

[giordano]

This has got me thinking about designing a short throw three speed shifter. That would be cool!

Richard

 

[feitctaj]

OMG, if I answer this post I will have to admit ignorance. I rebuilt my column maybe 1 year ago, new bearings, bushings,cups.and even a new shift tube. Everything, I thought. The tranny even got a new second gear, new detents. God what else do I need to do? It still pops out of second gear. So last week I go through ALL of my diagrams. 4 of them. I found that I did not replace the spacer that the pin end of the of the shift handle goes through in the shift collar. I order one from Tom's and the next day I am driving 25 minutes in second gear and it is GOOD. It shifts great, like new. Five dollars, %) %) %)

 

[m_m70]

Bill,
as far as the bushings go, I just squeezed them in carefully starting on one side until the popped in. My shifter is as tight as any I have felt. The difference is PHENOMINAL. How is your shift collar? I replaced mine (it was broken) as well as rubber bushing and pin that hold your shift handle to the collar and tube.
Also, I adjusted the linkage down by closest to the tranny.
If you have a manual (chiltons or haynes) it describes how to do this properly. If not reply and I will explain it the best I can.
With all this done, I feel that I can shift just as fast and accurate as any floor shifting truck I have driven. If you have any problems just post and I will do my best to help,
Mike

 

[4x4man514]

irebuilt my shifter tube and collar about a year agoand that fixed my binding problems as for the second gear problem my truck did the same thing until a few months ago.i lost a rear bearing in my tranny so i decided to rebuild the whole thing.i didnt see any wear on the syncronizers but i replaced them anyway.cost about 100$ and now it works fine .apparently it takes very minimal wear on the syncs to cause the shifter to fall out of 2nd.

 

[SmithSR]

Today, I was visiting the James Duff shop out in Sequim WA, and was fiddling around with the various tranny / t-case shifter displays they've got set out. I was very impressed with the slick action of these floor shift units. My bronco suffered from sticking in 3rd with the original column shift, because of poor/worn linkage past the hooker header... so a few years ago I swapped to the hurst floor unit. I'm considering buying the JD floor shift, to replace my proper-functioning Hurst unit. I noticed the JD shifter handle is shorter, and the shifter assy itself looks more compact.(I could be wrong about that) All in all, I like the floor shift. The throw into 2nd on the column was/is/will always be too long and too unnatural, even if it's full of "personality". I prefer the floor mount shift pattern, as opposed to the column shift. I'm usually on the gas pretty good... so the one-two shift (for me) should be as quick and as natural as possible.. just something to consider.

 

[broncolove]

Another cause for linkage binding is bad body mounts, or the body mount points have rusted and the the body is dropping. Don't know if thats a issue for you, but its a pretty typical problem here in the rust belt