55.2-59 Stick suggestions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevyhed53 · 02-01-2020, 05:40 PM

I put a 4-speed Saginaw behind the 400 SBC in my '56 stepside, and had to put a homemade shifter on a Hurst base (it's a Hurst linkage) in order to clear the bench seat. Anybody found a factory stick or any other aftermarket stick that might work?

nvrdone · 02-01-2020, 06:13 PM

don't know how far back your shifter is mounted, but Hurst sells multiple shift levers in many shapes. you might look at their web site for ideas. or you might fab up something.

dsraven · 02-01-2020, 06:33 PM

part of the issue is that the bench seat is highjer than a console from a car so by the time you get a shift lever that you can reach the length is extended comapred to a car and that makes the travel of the shift knob waaaay longer in comparison. you could try a shorter lever set under the pivot point, connected to the rods, or move the pivot point closer to the knob and extend the lower levers. either way it's a bit of engineering to make it work. the other thing I have seen done for shifters that go directly into the top of the trans, like a truck trans, is to use some cheap round bar for mock up and simply bend a new shape for a lever. one that shifts the trans in all gears with the seat as far ahead as the track allows to ensure it will work in all circumstances, then bend an actual shift lever in the same shape. possibly you could do something like that? get it right then have it polished, chromed,otherwise plated, anodized,painted or whatever.
pics would help.

1project2many · 02-01-2020, 10:57 PM

What about the Hurst 3910002? It's designed for shorter travel in truck application...

nvrdone · 02-01-2020, 11:06 PM

ok, when I installed an M21 in my '49, the shift was too low. I just cut a flat plate out of 1/4" plate. Drilled it so it matched the shifter mounting holes in the trans & made it high enough so the shifter pivot bolt is just below the floor. has worked great for many years.

mr48chev · 02-02-2020, 02:28 AM

I'm not sure the one on my shifter out in the shed that I had on the M 21 that I had in the truck for a few years has a number on it but it is the handle designed to work with a truck seat.

I'll have to look for the shifter in the daylight as it wasn't where I thought it was.

I'm pretty sure that this is the handle though. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hurst-Chrom...kAAMXQDjhQ4eRd

02-01-2020, 05:40 PM	#1
chevyhed53 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Palm Coast, FL Posts: 126	Stick suggestions I put a 4-speed Saginaw behind the 400 SBC in my '56 stepside, and had to put a homemade shifter on a Hurst base (it's a Hurst linkage) in order to clear the bench seat. Anybody found a factory stick or any other aftermarket stick that might work?

02-01-2020, 06:13 PM	#2
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,437	Re: Stick suggestions don't know how far back your shifter is mounted, but Hurst sells multiple shift levers in many shapes. you might look at their web site for ideas. or you might fab up something.

02-01-2020, 06:33 PM	#3
dsraven Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: calgary alberta Posts: 7,894	Re: Stick suggestions part of the issue is that the bench seat is highjer than a console from a car so by the time you get a shift lever that you can reach the length is extended comapred to a car and that makes the travel of the shift knob waaaay longer in comparison. you could try a shorter lever set under the pivot point, connected to the rods, or move the pivot point closer to the knob and extend the lower levers. either way it's a bit of engineering to make it work. the other thing I have seen done for shifters that go directly into the top of the trans, like a truck trans, is to use some cheap round bar for mock up and simply bend a new shape for a lever. one that shifts the trans in all gears with the seat as far ahead as the track allows to ensure it will work in all circumstances, then bend an actual shift lever in the same shape. possibly you could do something like that? get it right then have it polished, chromed,otherwise plated, anodized,painted or whatever. pics would help.

02-01-2020, 10:57 PM	#4
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,160	Re: Stick suggestions What about the Hurst 3910002? It's designed for shorter travel in truck application...

02-01-2020, 11:06 PM	#5
nvrdone Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Moxee WA Posts: 1,437	Re: Stick suggestions ok, when I installed an M21 in my '49, the shift was too low. I just cut a flat plate out of 1/4" plate. Drilled it so it matched the shifter mounting holes in the trans & made it high enough so the shifter pivot bolt is just below the floor. has worked great for many years.

02-02-2020, 02:28 AM	#6
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,380	Re: Stick suggestions I'm not sure the one on my shifter out in the shed that I had on the M 21 that I had in the truck for a few years has a number on it but it is the handle designed to work with a truck seat. I'll have to look for the shifter in the daylight as it wasn't where I thought it was. I'm pretty sure that this is the handle though. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hurst-Chrom...kAAMXQDjhQ4eRd __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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