ok.... my 56 f100 has a sloppy column shifter and I want go to floor shifter. I am fairly new to this truck so everything is an experience for sure.... but was wondering if anyone had good advice on doing this. Lokar, Gennie, B&M, whatever..... just looking to move my shifter to the floor (from the column) and all I have is a tiny 1 car garage and jackstands.... but a shitload of tools, just little knowledge regarding this truck (since i aquired recently and my past 20 years have been all Harley). Also, I have a 68 GTO bench seat, so whatever shifter I do, will probably need to take the bench seat into consideration. No project scares me, just was hoping to get some good advice on how to go about doing a column to floor shifter conversion before I start blindly ordering parts and taking things apart. Thanks, Eric (Seattle, WA)
Lot's to consider here and there is no just bolt in to clear everything if it's not stock. Kind of like how many links do you need for your rear chain? That would depend on what sprockets your running and is it Ridgid, Swing arm, or a custom frame. What works on one may not work on the other. So on your Truck you can remove the center floor pan to do the work. What trans is in the truck? Column shift does not automaticly mean stock Trans. How far forward of the stock Truck bench seat does the GTO bench sit? Have you thought about just repairing the stock column shifter? There are bushings in it that can be replaced. The holes in the shift arms can be welded up and re sized, also the rods can be replaced or repaired. It's all about time, money and where you want to go. Kind of like building a Harley only different. The Wizzard
its a C6 auto, behind a 390.... the bench, no idea how far forward it sits from stock, I inherited the interior with the truck. I am going to probably order a Lokar or Gennie. Whatever I do, I have to do something.... I hate the column shift and have no interest in putting a nickel into making the column shift work better.
Well, Evo, you and i are in the same boat, i recently got a 53 f100, and been all Harleys the last 28 years, but enough of that. I went with the Lokar Nostalgia double bend 23" shifter, i have a c-6 also, the top of the shifter comes just above the dash knobs. But i also went all Lokar with the kickdown and throttle cables, the PO had these hack rods rigged up, anyway, good luck.
nice.... any advice on how you mounted? Did you cut your floor? Did the other Lokar stuff make it easier? Thanks... I will prob do Lokar and appreciate the info.
While we are on the subject, what is the latest on Gennie Shifters ? Are they still in business or not ? Don
Purchased a shifter from parr automotive last summer.They were still able to get parts as of then.I passed on the lokar as i didnt like the center push button to shift.
I'll tell you what makes a lot of difference in how a Lokar feels, buy the adapter and put a large round knob on it. I had an 8 ball type on the Lokar on my 23 and it was so much better than pushing that little buttom down. All you have to do is put your palm on top of the ball and shove downward a little. I kept the ball and adapter when I sold the car as it was a gift and besides I want to use it on the next car. Don
I have a Gennie in my 55 (429/C6) Installation and adjustment was easy, works great and you can run any knob you want.
OK, Silly me when I first read this post I thought you had a 3 speed stick in the truck. I should have picked up on it being a Slush Box when you said Gennie shifter. Is the steering column in the truck a stock F-100 automatic unit? Most all of the Automatic shifters will clear the seat. The Wizzard
The install of the shifter is pretty easy, now i needed a new trans pan cover, so measuring for the hole was fun, i needed to do a small v notch where the bracket sits in park position, and having a new trans pan cover gasket helps on clearance.
there should be a large removable center section on the floor which will allow you acess to your trans from the cab , you can get a lokar and get it bolted in and set up as they have plenty of adjustments to put it where u like and it clears , then measusre and cut your hole on the removable section and re install
thanks.... I am going to do just that. The only issue I have is that my removable section of my floor has never been removed.... still has the flathead screws from the factory. I am going to have to drill/grind to get them out. I have a good amount of work ahead of me on this, but think it will be worth it in the end. Really want to do a floor shifter. Thanks for the advice. I am going to order a Lokar.
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