problem w/tranny shift linkage

[fuseman]

I'm putting my 69 back together and put the tranny and transfer case back in. I used a j type transfer case and bought the shifter from duff. The problem I have is that the shift rods are hitting the tunnel cover's framing member. It's close, like another 1/2" to 3/4" and it would work :- . Any suggestions on what might be the problem? Or maybe some better instalation instructions or advice?thanks in advace ;D

 

[stevew]

I take it you have a 3 speed on the floor ? Did you buy the shifter ( 3 speed ) for the J transfer case ? Theres a difference in the rods . You may have to bend them to fit .

 

[fuseman]

Yes I did buy the J type shifter for the transfer case and for the tranny. The shifter for the tranny came with both types of rod's for each of the two different types of transfer cases. It just seems like they the one that's supposed to be used doesn't fit and the other can't work in it's place. It keeps hitting the floor board.

 

[Desert Thrasher]

Im guessing you dont have a body lift. I have a 3" body lift and the rods clear very easy but i can see how with no lift it would be tight.

 

[fuseman]

That's what I was thinking. I don't have a body lift,yet. I just have a suspention lift. Do you know what I could do to make it work?

 

[Desert Thrasher]

All i can think of is positioning the rods anyway you can to try to make them clear and if still no go then you can try bending them. hopefully they wont bind up too much. Even with the body lift my rods still have some bind in them, mostly in the longer rod.

 

[fuseman]

That's the one that's giving me the most problems. The short one is in but I can't get the long one to go over or around the shorter one.I stop working on it around 3:30 am last night. Figured I'ld get some imput and go back to it later fresh and in a better mood. ;D

 

[stevew]

I've installed about a 1/2 dozen Duff shifters , all have required some extra bending except the one for the J shift . Make sure you are putting the trans levers on right , easy to get mixed up laying on your back ! Also moving the rod from one side to the other of the lever can make a huge difference in that tight tunnel .

 

[fuseman]

Are you saying all the rods had to be bent except for the exception of one of six j type or all j type didn't need to be bent. also is is easier to put the 2nd and 3rd gear on first. I have the 1st and R on now. Did the one's you installed have body lifts?

 

[stevew]

I've done one with the J t case , all the rest were T shifters & they all needed some "fine tuning " . None had body lifts . I put the rods in without the retaining clips because they are a pain to install & reinstall until everything looks good , then put the clips in . Just do the install as close to the instructions as you can . They are correct , tho at times I doubted them ! If you think the 3 speed is tight , try a top loader 4 speed ! Just put one in my personal EB & it has a 1" body lift ... still very tight .

 

[supermottl]

[quote author=stevew link=board=5;threadid=17316;start=0#msg132468 date=1052706925]
I've done one with the J t case , all the rest were T shifters & they all needed some "fine tuning " . None had body lifts . I put the rods in without the retaining clips because they are a pain to install & reinstall until everything looks good , then put the clips in . Just do the install as close to the instructions as you can . They are correct , tho at times I doubted them ! If you think the 3 speed is tight , try a top loader 4 speed ! Just put one in my personal EB & it has a 1" body lift ... still very tight .
[/quote]

I second that. I just did all the linkages for my top loader. All the shift rods needed some type of fine tuning, bending of sorts. I even had to cut some extra threads off the reverse lever.
I started with the shortest shift rod 1st, and worked my way to the longer ones. In the top loader, I did the 1+2 rod, then the R rod, then 3+4. Very tight under there with no body lift. Took me a good 4-6 hours total of bending, and crawling under the truck.

 

[fuseman]

Thanks for the input. I got them installed today. I did have to tweak them a bit. They're in and now on to the last few things to get it on the road. Electrial is the next big task.