Anybody else like column shifters?

I've been toying with the idea of replacing my "3 on the tree" in my 51 merc pickup with a T5. The T5 would obviously provide better economy and usability, but for some reason I really love the 3 on the tree. Maybe it's because I just feel bad when I replace the original equipment. Anyone else prefer the column shifter?

 

I've been fighting the urge to go T5 in my '51 shoebox for years. A '51 ford taildragger just don't look (or feel) right with a floor shift.

 

Sure it does, you are probably just a younger person. Figure a ton of people were switching over to floor shifters back in the day when they were available, by the lots and droves. My next door neighbor is in his 80s and when I had a 5 speed car asked why? I said I prefer stick shift, he said when automatics came out way back when he thought nobody would ever go back!

I think its "the gr*** is always greener" on the other side. I loved my 50 Merc with the 3 spd OD on the tree, but also didnt hate my 51 with a floor shift auto. Both have their positives I guess.

 

Put a BW overdrive in it and have the best of both worlds. I loved my 57 Ford Ranch wagon with three on the tree and OD. I am currently building a 56 Ford using an FE with 3spd overdrive. I know there are stronger trans. but I enjoy the column shift. It's fun to drive.

 

I'm planning on keeping my 3 on the tree for my lakes inspired roadster (pickup?) when I finally get started on it. Currently I'm collecting parts and finishing other projects so I'll have space in the shop.

 

Nope, I'm an old guy. Remembering the cars in the 50's kept the column shift.....even in a lot of the hot rods.....40 ford column, wheel, and shifer on the tree.

 

I pretty much learned to drive on one of those. I hated that ****ing thing.

 

I like the 3 on the tree's, but I always seem to have trouble with the linkage binding... It's probably because it is old, worn and out of adjustment, but they seem hard to dial in.... I really like the look, but I like the feel of a floor shifter more.

 

Some kinds of column shifters are beyond redemption, long, sloppy, vague throws...
Early Ford ones are quite nice once you find and fix the wornout bushings. My '48 has nylon bushings making it slicker than possible with stock rubber-filled ones.
I agree with the OD idea...OD takes the 3-speed out of the primitive relic cl***, with the right rear gears.
Has anyone figured out how to add an extra shifting row to a Ford column shift?? I think it would be neat to use an old type four-speed (floor shifter trans with side shift and exposed linkage always seemed a dumb idea to me anyway), but having a Mickey Mouse separate shift arrangement for reverse would be dumb.

 

i like my column shifted autos, but my racecar has a stearing shaft with a pop off stearing wheel no shifter there!!

 

Back in the 50's we threw them column shifters away and usuallly made our own floor shifters.

 

There was a 32 3 window in this area that had a T10 4 speed behind a flatmotor with a 40 column shift . Used a cable , like the overdrive cables in the mid 50's Fords or GM cars for reverse ............

 

learned to drive a three on the tree in the 80's in my 63 chev p/u. did anybody else have the drivers ed bumper car looking things that you had 3 on the tree or auto function shifters? they had to be mid to late 60s they played a film and you used shifter, gas, brakes ,strearing like you were driving? oops sorry fer ot!!

 

I like the column shifter in my truck. leaves more leg room for p***engers.

 

There were a few o.e.m. import 4 speed column shifters back in the 60's; Datsun & Mercedes come to mind. Could be difficult to modify...
The BW OD would certainly be the easier way to go.....

 

Over here floor shift has been standard for a LONG time,column change pretty much died in the mid sixties.Maybe that why I love three on the tree so much,modern **** don't have it.To me nothing says 'old car' more than a bench seat and column shift.
Besides,lets the chickies get closer

 

i like columns on cruisers that way its easier for my girl to squeeze in tight.

 

I thought it'd be real cool to add another 'gate' to the column and make it able to handle 5 gears instead of 3. Sounds like a big job, and I havent researched it, but I really dig column shift manuals and think it would be pretty oddball.

 

A while back I started on a thread about "5 on the tree" as I was planning on putting a T5 in my Pontiac. I was surprised the response it got and the ideas presented. Now that I've actually got the ****** installed, there is clearance between it and the floor for any fancy linkage setup.

Too bad though - cause I enjoy going through the motions on the tree behind the big steering wheel.

 

I like 3 on the tree when people get into your car and go I thought that was a stick car. Then you laugh and show them how you shift.

Only downside is when the shifter breaks off in your hand while shifting.........my 69 rambler did that while pulling into the high school parking lot one morning. Ended up going to floor shift for ease of parts.

 

I have seen old ford truck 4sp tops modified to shift side shifter 4 speeds,by lenghtening the shift rails out of the back of the shifter top and putting arms from them to the side for shifting. Also modifying old ford truck top shifters to work on top loader trans. just havto look at them to fig it out.

 

oops got the topic backwards, well then here,s a reply I had to another post ,

while helping a friend at the local picparts find a remote shifter for his volks formula car we pulled a 5 sp stick control out of a toyota, don,t recall the model but we looked at several different rice buckets an they all were similar, and they were remote 5 sp.cable floorshifters, that mount to the floor, or back of the box.You will need to use the toyota trans or whichever trans you can find with that type of shifter as they are sideshifters and also dont know if you can adapt it but they are remote cable shifts and shift pretty good. also dont know if they will be strong enough but some of them are pretty strong. so Any way just some ideas to p*** along.
<!-- / message --> <!-- sig --> __________________

 

I had a 58 Biscayne with a 3 on the tree. Learned to drive a manual with it. Sold it and built a 58 Impala with a 4 speed floor shift. Can't wait to get my 51 Merc on the road with the flathead and column shift.

 

I prefer column shift for everything except racing. Then it's floor shift time!

 

I love the column shift on my wagon, gives a real old car feel...plus the looks and smiles from other drivers when they watch me go through the gears...

 

What I hated about column shifters was when the shifter was old and loose, and you'd hit a big bump on the road, and it would fall out of gear into neutral. It usually did that at the worst times, like while you were pulling onto a freeway, or going up a steep hill.

 

Are they hard to find? And are they ok with a load in the pickup?

 

I learned how to drive on a 3 on tree Chevy pickup at 7yr old..
In Finley North Dakota.

 

I always wanted a column shift when I was a kid and now I have one, and I love it.