How to Drive a 3 on the Tree ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72MARIO · 09-14-2003, 11:07 PM

I am going to go look at a 69 GMC for a Daily Driver. The only problem is that I dont know how to drive it

It's a 3 on the tree, Um could some one help me out.

I have never driven a standard before. I will probibly be making it into a Auto with in the first Month of owning it. But I need to know how to drive it for now.

Thanks

krue · 09-14-2003, 11:11 PM

To you and up is first, down is 2nd, away and up is third, away and down is reverse. Picture an "H" on the column and you'll have no trouble. Mash the gas and ease out on the clutch to take off. ONce you are rolling mash the clutch and shift, then let out on the clutch smoothly. Best way to learn to drive a stick!

*Phillip Johnson* · 09-14-2003, 11:14 PM

If you can drive a 4 speed you can drive 3 on the tree. Basic H pattern. Pull shifter towards you and pull down for first, then 1/2 way up to neutral and push back and then all the way up for second. Then pull all the way down for third. Reverse is straight above first.. So easy my 80 year old mother could do it if she wasnt in a rest home! Good luck!

OldSkool71 · 09-14-2003, 11:14 PM

It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Try to think of as if you took it right off the floor and stuck it on the column. Pull back and up will get you in reverse. Pull back and down will get you into first gear. Then shift forward and up to get second gear. Then still in the foward position shift down and you are in third. If you are familiar with a floor shift I think you will pick it up quick. If not it may take a few times to get it. Hope that helps some. Good Luck!!

krue · 09-14-2003, 11:14 PM

BTW it's been 15 years since I drove a three on the tree, so I hope I remember it right!

krue · 09-14-2003, 11:15 PM

OOPS! Don't listen to me obviously I don't know my butt from a hole in the ground!

gr8scott51 · 09-14-2003, 11:16 PM

Shift slow. The old 3 speeds weren't built for racing. Practice before you hit the traffic. A little bit of gas, let the clutch out slowly. Remmeber to push in the clutch when you stop.

good luck, scott

if you decide to move it the floor, I have a Hurst Indy shifter.

Tx Firefighter · 09-14-2003, 11:21 PM

Don't get frusterated. Do not let it sour you from all standards.

These old column shift trucks are flat worn out and shift like ass. A trip to the dealer will get you some new bushings for the shift linkage, that will remove the slop and make it a lot easier to drive for like 10.00.

A floor shift will shift much better most times.

Myself, three on the tree for me. It lets the wifey slide over real close, try that with a floor shift.

Blue_71 · 09-15-2003, 12:15 AM

towards you and up is reverse, straight down is first, up over and up is second, straight down is third. be very careful to follow the H patten, or be ready to get under the hood and wiggle linkages usually

pissonNOS · 09-15-2003, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by krue
To you and up is first, down is 2nd, away and up is third, away and down is reverse.

just curious as to what kind of three on the tree this is out of mine is the same way everyone else has discribed

72MARIO · 09-15-2003, 08:52 AM

I am going to try it out. I think that If I change anything I will put the auto 350 in it. I have all the parts here from a Parts truck I have here.

Thanks for the help.

My Girlfriend would not let me put a floor shift in because she likes to sit in the middle.

**CPNE** · 09-15-2003, 09:08 AM

My 12 yr old can drive a 3-on-the-tree. Has so since 10. It's a matter of coordination and patience. Coordination to get the gas/clutch feel down, and patience to shift smooth and easy. It ain't no 5 speed Honda Si, and can't be treated as such.

At 10 or so they understand this as the expection of speed and short-throw shifting isn't ingrained in the head. I'd hate to have had to teach him the gracefull nuances of shifting a 3-on-the-tree if he were 17-23 in age.

Assuming good bushings and linkage, if you shift it like Grandpa, it'll slide right into gear, if you shift it like a Grand Am, you'll lock it up often.

Remember, it's not the tranny and linkage at fault, it the nut behind the wheel!

SCOTI · 09-15-2003, 09:22 AM

Remember, these old 3spds don't have a synchronized 1st gear. This means when you want to put it into 1st gear you must be @ a complete stop or the gears will grind. To make life easier on parts, always shift to 2nd gear just before going into 1st (it somewhat helps synchronize everything so theres less grinding).

Toward you & down is 1st. Away & up is 2nd. Away & down is 3rd. Toward you & up is reverse. Shift slowly between gears (just don't slam the gears anyway).

**CPNE** · 09-15-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SCOTI
Remember, these old 3spds don't have a synchronized 1st gear. This means when you want to put it into 1st gear you must be @ a complete stop or the gears will grind. To make life easier on parts, always shift to 2nd gear just before going into 1st (it somewhat helps synchronize everything so theres less grinding).

Actually, starting in 69 the 3 speeds were syncro'd (definately by 71), it was 67/68 that didn't have this. Still good advice regardless!

Class of 69 · 09-15-2003, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 72MARIO

My Girlfriend would not let me put a floor shift in because she likes to sit in the middle.

Floor shift with a long handle that curves back on the seat

landon4421 · 09-15-2003, 10:59 AM

72MARIO, you beat me to this question !

I am looking at a truck with the 3 on the tree ! And it has been like 15 years since the Last time I ever drove one an I had totally forgot the pattern. Thanks for the post and thanks guys for helping me to remember the shift pattern ! Landon

lukecp · 09-15-2003, 01:31 PM

lol Class of 69

72MARIO · 09-15-2003, 01:34 PM

I don't get it........... Must be somthing kinda Dirty.......

palallin · 09-15-2003, 02:45 PM

Humorous story about my changing my '67 from a PG to a 3 spd:

I had never driven a standard before, and I was sent out to "learn on the fly." After a day or two of practice, I felt confident enough to stop partway up a hill on a service road and try to get going up hill. I killed the motor. I tired again with the same result. And again. And again. And again. By the sixth time, I was at the bottom of the hill, but I couldn't get up it. By the ninth time, my battery had run down, and my starter was sounding very weak.

Finally, I had to swallow my pride and walk up the hill (with my girlfriend, whom I had been trying to impress) to a phone and call my dad to come give me a jump. (He had been against my switching to the standard from the beginning.) He showed up, and still the jump wasn't enough: the starter was trashed.

While Dad was berating me in interesting and colorful terms, I crawled underneath to attach a tow rope so that he could toiw me home with his big, '71 Impala. Then I got in the cab to steer. I had to take the truck out of gear, of course, so that he could tow me.

Then it was that I discovered that the transmission had been in 3rd gear all along . . . .

JoetheMobster · 09-15-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Then it was that I discovered that the transmission had been in 3rd gear all along . . . .

Interesting way to save face!!

It took me a few tries to get in sync with the transmission when I got my truck - first 3 spd for me.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 09-15-2003, 03:14 PM

I learned by doing it. Telling you won't help any. Have fun.

Eddie H. · 09-15-2003, 11:17 PM

Damn, I guess I'm getting old. I learned to drive in a 1950 Chevy
with a 3 on the tree, and I remember taking my driving test in a red 67 Chevy C10 with a straight 6 and 3 on the tree. It was pretty new truck at the time.

Hooter · 09-16-2003, 01:52 AM

I enjoy driving a 3 on the tree, especially with friends who have never seen one before, they look at me in puzzlement when I drive my 71 chev van around, kinda funny actually

*Phillip Johnson* · 09-16-2003, 02:09 AM

It shouldnt take more than 2 min to figure this out. Just get in and drive

09-14-2003, 11:07 PM	#1
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	How to Drive a 3 on the Tree ? I am going to go look at a 69 GMC for a Daily Driver. The only problem is that I dont know how to drive it It's a 3 on the tree, Um could some one help me out. I have never driven a standard before. I will probibly be making it into a Auto with in the first Month of owning it. But I need to know how to drive it for now. Thanks __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

09-14-2003, 11:11 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	To you and up is first, down is 2nd, away and up is third, away and down is reverse. Picture an "H" on the column and you'll have no trouble. Mash the gas and ease out on the clutch to take off. ONce you are rolling mash the clutch and shift, then let out on the clutch smoothly. Best way to learn to drive a stick! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-14-2003, 11:14 PM	#4
OldSkool71 C/10 CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 993	It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Try to think of as if you took it right off the floor and stuck it on the column. Pull back and up will get you in reverse. Pull back and down will get you into first gear. Then shift forward and up to get second gear. Then still in the foward position shift down and you are in third. If you are familiar with a floor shift I think you will pick it up quick. If not it may take a few times to get it. Hope that helps some. Good Luck!! __________________ -Ron-

09-14-2003, 11:14 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	BTW it's been 15 years since I drove a three on the tree, so I hope I remember it right! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-14-2003, 11:15 PM	#6
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	OOPS! Don't listen to me obviously I don't know my butt from a hole in the ground! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

09-14-2003, 11:14 PM	#3
Phillip Johnson Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,580	If you can drive a 4 speed you can drive 3 on the tree. Basic H pattern. Pull shifter towards you and pull down for first, then 1/2 way up to neutral and push back and then all the way up for second. Then pull all the way down for third. Reverse is straight above first.. So easy my 80 year old mother could do it if she wasnt in a rest home! Good luck!

09-14-2003, 11:16 PM	#7
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	go slow Shift slow. The old 3 speeds weren't built for racing. Practice before you hit the traffic. A little bit of gas, let the clutch out slowly. Remmeber to push in the clutch when you stop. good luck, scott if you decide to move it the floor, I have a Hurst Indy shifter. __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

09-14-2003, 11:21 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Don't get frusterated. Do not let it sour you from all standards. These old column shift trucks are flat worn out and shift like ass. A trip to the dealer will get you some new bushings for the shift linkage, that will remove the slop and make it a lot easier to drive for like 10.00. A floor shift will shift much better most times. Myself, three on the tree for me. It lets the wifey slide over real close, try that with a floor shift. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

09-15-2003, 08:52 AM	#11
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I am going to try it out. I think that If I change anything I will put the auto 350 in it. I have all the parts here from a Parts truck I have here. Thanks for the help. My Girlfriend would not let me put a floor shift in because she likes to sit in the middle. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

09-15-2003, 09:08 AM	#12
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	My 12 yr old can drive a 3-on-the-tree. Has so since 10. It's a matter of coordination and patience. Coordination to get the gas/clutch feel down, and patience to shift smooth and easy. It ain't no 5 speed Honda Si, and can't be treated as such. At 10 or so they understand this as the expection of speed and short-throw shifting isn't ingrained in the head. I'd hate to have had to teach him the gracefull nuances of shifting a 3-on-the-tree if he were 17-23 in age. Assuming good bushings and linkage, if you shift it like Grandpa, it'll slide right into gear, if you shift it like a Grand Am, you'll lock it up often. Remember, it's not the tranny and linkage at fault, it the nut behind the wheel! __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

09-15-2003, 09:22 AM	#13
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,924	Remember, these old 3spds don't have a synchronized 1st gear. This means when you want to put it into 1st gear you must be @ a complete stop or the gears will grind. To make life easier on parts, always shift to 2nd gear just before going into 1st (it somewhat helps synchronize everything so theres less grinding). Toward you & down is 1st. Away & up is 2nd. Away & down is 3rd. Toward you & up is reverse. Shift slowly between gears (just don't slam the gears anyway). __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

09-15-2003, 10:59 AM	#16
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	72MARIO, you beat me to this question ! I am looking at a truck with the 3 on the tree ! And it has been like 15 years since the Last time I ever drove one an I had totally forgot the pattern. Thanks for the post and thanks guys for helping me to remember the shift pattern ! Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

09-15-2003, 01:31 PM	#17
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	lol Class of 69 __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

09-15-2003, 01:34 PM	#18
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	I don't get it........... Must be somthing kinda Dirty....... __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

09-15-2003, 02:45 PM	#19
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Humorous story about my changing my '67 from a PG to a 3 spd: I had never driven a standard before, and I was sent out to "learn on the fly." After a day or two of practice, I felt confident enough to stop partway up a hill on a service road and try to get going up hill. I killed the motor. I tired again with the same result. And again. And again. And again. By the sixth time, I was at the bottom of the hill, but I couldn't get up it. By the ninth time, my battery had run down, and my starter was sounding very weak. Finally, I had to swallow my pride and walk up the hill (with my girlfriend, whom I had been trying to impress) to a phone and call my dad to come give me a jump. (He had been against my switching to the standard from the beginning.) He showed up, and still the jump wasn't enough: the starter was trashed. While Dad was berating me in interesting and colorful terms, I crawled underneath to attach a tow rope so that he could toiw me home with his big, '71 Impala. Then I got in the cab to steer. I had to take the truck out of gear, of course, so that he could tow me. Then it was that I discovered that the transmission had been in 3rd gear all along . . . . __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.



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09-15-2003, 03:14 PM	#21
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	I learned by doing it. Telling you won't help any. Have fun.

09-15-2003, 11:17 PM	#22
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	Damn, I guess I'm getting old. I learned to drive in a 1950 Chevy with a 3 on the tree, and I remember taking my driving test in a red 67 Chevy C10 with a straight 6 and 3 on the tree. It was pretty new truck at the time. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

09-16-2003, 01:52 AM	#23
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,078	I enjoy driving a 3 on the tree, especially with friends who have never seen one before, they look at me in puzzlement when I drive my 71 chev van around, kinda funny actually __________________ MEMBER DISCS UP FRONT CLUB 69 custom camper/cst 10 70 monte carlo 383 stroker with a 700r4 77 fully loaded silverado (back in the backyard for a little while longer) 1980 BMW 320i (back in the garage finally) 1981 f@*d f150 4x4 (Robert red ford) tried to kill me 1972 Honda ct 90 trailbike Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com AC/DC RULES!!! First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

09-16-2003, 02:09 AM	#24
Phillip Johnson Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,580	It shouldnt take more than 2 min to figure this out. Just get in and drive

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