[brentville]

How much is involved in switching the linkage etc from a column shift automatic to a floor console shifter. I have a cruisomatic transmission in my 4 door '62 gal and was thinking of changing to a floor console and getting front buckets.

Is this a hard switch to make? Would it look stupid to have in a 4 door cruiser like the '62?

Thanks

 

[63Sean]

Shift lever for column points down; shift lever for console points up. You can use Mr. MacMurray (sp) advice (it's at the Galaxie club website somewhere - somebody here will be able to supply that) in using a scrap metal piece that 'converts' the column shift to floor shift. Summit or somebody actually sells a metal piece that covers several conversions. Another option is to simply find a console shift lever and install on yours. This will require dropping the pan and unbolting current lever from inside. It'll be a bit of a fiddly job finding the shift points. I'm getting ready to rip my cruso out (console shift) and replace with a c6 that I'm currently building. I'm looking around for the shift lever, but will probably go with Mr. MacMurray (sp?) and 'his way.'

www.galaxieclub.com/tech.html

sean

_________________
Bow your head for the Man's Prayer . . .
I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to . . .
I guess

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 63Sean on 3/22/06 5:35am ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 63Sean on 3/22/06 5:40am ]</font>

 

[farmallmta]

In '63 and '64 there was a factory option of 4drHT XL with bucket seats and console optionthat is pretty snazzy! So your idea was certainly thought attractive enough by the Ford design team to implement as a factory option on 4dr cars without the post. I think you'd have a neat car if your '62 is a HT rather than a 4dr sedan (post 4 dr). I'm guessing you'd have a better chance of having it look right it you used the '62 buckets and console so as to make it year correct.

 

[sleepysal]

I am not sure on the swap, But let me tell you what I think a bout a 4 door cruiser: COOL !!!! Do it. Yes there was a time when a 4 door wasn't a car you would want to fix up, but now with older cars getting harder to find ( and buy) I see more doors beeing fixed up. Is it a post or hard top? Post pics !!!

_________________
1964 Galaxie 500 2dr. post 289
1992 F250 Crew Cab 4x4 4" lift
San Jose


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: sleepysal on 3/22/06 5:45am ]</font>

 

[Garreett0]

what about for a standard shift? is it as simple as buying a floorshifter and installing it, and cutting a hole of course.

 

[brentville]

In the "post first read the tech forum later department", I find that there is a post about switching the column shifter to a floor shifter in the tech fourm. It seems fairly straightforward and doesn't mention going into the tranny to mess with the linkage at all. The kit is either for one type of valve body or another, one shifts up one down. The kits are about $150 but a ' 62 Galaxie shifter on ebay goes for about $15.

It's a four door post car but I agree that those cruisers are pretty cool so I may do it....after a few more critical updates like rear wheel bearings and some engine work.

 

[farmallmta]

Garreet, you certainly can just cut a hole in the floorboard and put on a Mr. Gasket or Hurst shifter. But to make it look really right, check with Crites to get the correct shifter tunnel you'd need for floor mounting the correct shifter handle boot and trim ring. Really makes it look good. His '64 tunnel will work on '65-6-7-8, and he also has '61-'63.

 

[Garreett0]

i wanted to put the shifter in but later down the road im going to probally switch to a c6. does the shifter come out in the same spot that i will have to cut the hole?

 

[farmallmta]

Well, Garreet, being a big fan of manuals as so period old school and therefore now totally cool, as well as appreciating how they take the boring factor out of driving, I hate to hear that you'd substitute a boring old slush box for a groovy gear slider. That much said, it's possible or even probable that the holes won't be in the same spot. But that's what sheet metal and pop rivets and seam sealer are for, right? Just fill in the hole when you don't need it and relocate the new hole when needed. What year and current transmission is your car?

 

[jerrym3]

I'm going back over twenty years, but when I did mine, I seem to remember having to splice around the column's neutral safety switch.