3 speed floor conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cmose · 08-02-2013, 10:12 AM

I just bought a 49 GMC, column shifter is worn out and hanging up. Any body changed over to a floor shifter? Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated. I know Hurst makes a kit, don't know if anybody else.

dubie · 08-02-2013, 10:47 AM

I used a Hurst 3 speed floor shift conversion on my last truck. It's a very easy install and only takes about an hour once you've removed all your old linkages. I was sick of the 3 in the tree hanging up on me so we cut the hole in the floor and did the swap. I ran that truck for 7 more years without any issues before selling it
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cmose · 08-02-2013, 11:03 AM

Do you happen to have the part number? Did it come with everything you needed?

**Dan in Pasadena** · 08-02-2013, 11:55 AM

Just a contrary opinion:
Why not just fix the original linkage? All the parts are available through a variety of aftermarket sources and "threee-on-the-tree" is waay cooler than a floor shifter.

It's one of the things that says you're driving a classic truck; like the "wind wing" vent windows, the floor starter button, the cowl vent, the opposing windhsield wipers, etc.

cmose · 08-02-2013, 12:44 PM

Any links or part #'s for rebuilding the original shifter.

dubie · 08-04-2013, 07:26 PM

It was about 10 years ago so I don't have any part numbers but the kit came with everything I needed to do the swap
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Russell Ashley · 08-05-2013, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmose

Any links or part #'s for rebuilding the original shifter.

I too vote for keeping the original linkage. LMC truck has what you need to tighten it up. I got mine from BowTie Bits but lots of other vendors have it too.
I got my bushings that go in the shift rods at my local Ace hardware store.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 08-05-2013, 10:50 AM

Try chevsofthe40s.com
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dubie · 08-05-2013, 11:15 AM

I agree that a 3 in the tree is a hell of a lot cooler than a floor shift. Most younger people wouldn't even have a clue how to drive one. Replacing the bushings and servicing the linkages is easy and effective to allow for smooth worry free shifting.
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_Ogre · 08-05-2013, 04:04 PM

it's been a while, but a couple bucks for new plastic bushings is all it takes to rebuild your linkage
like dubie says; think of it as your anti theft deterrent

08-02-2013, 10:12 AM	#1
cmose Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Church Hill TN Posts: 6	3 speed floor conversion I just bought a 49 GMC, column shifter is worn out and hanging up. Any body changed over to a floor shifter? Any recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated. I know Hurst makes a kit, don't know if anybody else.

08-02-2013, 10:47 AM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	Re: 3 speed floor conversion I used a Hurst 3 speed floor shift conversion on my last truck. It's a very easy install and only takes about an hour once you've removed all your old linkages. I was sick of the 3 in the tree hanging up on me so we cut the hole in the floor and did the swap. I ran that truck for 7 more years without any issues before selling it Posted via Mobile Device __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

08-02-2013, 11:03 AM	#3
cmose Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Church Hill TN Posts: 6	Re: 3 speed floor conversion Do you happen to have the part number? Did it come with everything you needed?

08-02-2013, 11:55 AM	#4
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,336	Re: 3 speed floor conversion Just a contrary opinion: Why not just fix the original linkage? All the parts are available through a variety of aftermarket sources and "threee-on-the-tree" is waay cooler than a floor shifter. It's one of the things that says you're driving a classic truck; like the "wind wing" vent windows, the floor starter button, the cowl vent, the opposing windhsield wipers, etc. __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

08-02-2013, 12:44 PM	#5
cmose Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Church Hill TN Posts: 6	Re: 3 speed floor conversion Any links or part #'s for rebuilding the original shifter.

08-04-2013, 07:26 PM	#6
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	Re: 3 speed floor conversion It was about 10 years ago so I don't have any part numbers but the kit came with everything I needed to do the swap Posted via Mobile Device __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

08-05-2013, 10:50 AM	#8
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,336	Re: 3 speed floor conversion Try chevsofthe40s.com Posted via Mobile Device __________________ '55 Big Window Shortbed, Drive-It-&-Work-On-It slid down the "slippery slope" to a Frame-Off Rodstoration! LQ4/4l85e/C4 IFS/Mustang 8.8 rearend w/3.73's Dan's '55 Big Window "Build" - Well, Kinda!

08-05-2013, 11:15 AM	#9
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	Re: 3 speed floor conversion I agree that a 3 in the tree is a hell of a lot cooler than a floor shift. Most younger people wouldn't even have a clue how to drive one. Replacing the bushings and servicing the linkages is easy and effective to allow for smooth worry free shifting. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

08-05-2013, 04:04 PM	#10
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,677	Re: 3 speed floor conversion it's been a while, but a couple bucks for new plastic bushings is all it takes to rebuild your linkage like dubie says; think of it as your anti theft deterrent __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer



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