In these pictures you can see the side shift forks are the same size and the top shift forks are 7/16 different from each other. I'm looking to hear from someone who has done a T150 jeep shift tower on a 60's Ford 3 speed top loader. I have had to grind down the 2-3 shift fork because it didn't fit the selector. Now that I have that fitting, when I drop the shift tower in place with everything in neutral, the mounting holes are about 3/4 of a hole off. From everything I've read, everything just drops in. So I have to assume that's all hear say. Thanks for any info, Joe
I did on a top loader 4 speed, aside from clearing some material away on the top opening and drilling/tapping one new mounting hole, it did just drop in. Could be where the confusion lies. Never heard of one being done on a 3 speed.
Nor have I. Years ago Frank Otto did a article in Rod & Custom about using the Jeep shifter with a Ford toploader. HRP
What length is the main case? A RAN or HEF suffix case will be 9.250 long and your T-150 shifter should work. A RAT suffix case will be 9.750 and I don't think the T-150 will work.
Apparently theres a few threads on here dealing with the 3 speed, but all the pictures are of finished results and not many details. Maybe there is a super specific year for the jeep shifter that will fit right in.
I have the 3 speed version, converted by a great guy from your area (Conn., as I recall). It is, essentially, a "drop-in" conversion, if you have the RAN case, found in some Mustangs, Galaxies, and pickups, w/ 6cyl. & small block V-8. You may have the RAT version, found in Broncos & big-block V-8 cars & p-ups. ; a H.D. version w/ a slightly larger case.
Damn that's what it is a RAT, Dearborn from a 68 cutlass. So I'm screwed here or is there a way to make this work?
I did this conversion in my roadster and everything just bolted together. I found out that Ford made 2 different full syncro three speeds. One is the "303"used in passenger cars and mustang in the '60's and the other looks that same from the outside but the shift collars are bigger and the Jeep forks don't fit. That trans was used in light duty ford pickups and Econoline vans in the '70's. I don't know if the side shift forks can be adapted or not. I am speaking in flaming generalities about the years used and a good Ford parts man can straighten you out should you have a trans and not know it's year. I have over 11k on mine and it shifts like butter! Plus, it handles the power of my 354 Hemi with no problem.
Ok guys I was into all this stuff for enough money Trans, jeep shifter, old trans dapt nailhead adapter etc. So I had to figure out a way to make this work. I first rested the shifter on its side and measured where the forks needed to be in relation to the transmission. I ended up moving the 1st-reverse fork back .125 and the 2-3 needed .350 It took a little tweaking of the forks so when I spun the transmission I didn't hear any rubbing. For future reference this is a heavy duty 1968 Dearborn 3speed Toploader "RAT" code with a 1978 jeep T150 shift tower.
Well, props to you, bud; where there's a will, there's a way! Nicely done.. And, FYI, there are two very short pickup tail-shafts, if space is tight; one w/ mount and one w/o...
51box This is exactly what I was looking for. And Shazam your solution is her on the H.A.M.B. I just rebuilt a RAT out of a Bronco and talked the customer into a T150 Jeep shifter. Hell these Ford top loader 3 speeds all looked the same. First problem I had was the extension housing comes in 2 lengths for the V8 of course I had the wrong one. Then the shifter would not fit just like your problem. Thank you for the timely and elegant solution 51box. Back in the 60's we would service an Olds with a FOMOCO cast 3 speed and I think a Pontiac with same. That was an easy $5 bet when you would casually bet that new GM car on the lift had a Ford transmission in it.
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