Technical ‘39 Ford transmission (and later years)

I recall a post by @Mac VP saying the internals from ‘39-48? Are the same.

Question I have is the ‘39 looked for/sought after, etc because it stick shift vs column shift? Ie say in closed driveline years, did Ford from 40-on move to column shift for 3 speeds? I’m not referring to open drive transmissions, just closed drive.
No real “need to know” other than a curiosity

 

If I recall correctly, the 39 top will have the 3” shift fork, which will work with the innards of a 40 and up side shift. (Column). And yes the closed drives 40 and up were column shift, excluding the later light pickups with the open drive, some floor shift, some column shift. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong. Lol.

 

Not positive but not all '39 trans had the 3 inch fork. Others will know for sure.

 

Top loaders were used in pickups up to ‘52. Open driveshaft. They have all the goodies, dual detent shift tower, later synchros and a main shaft that isn’t like a rubics cube.

 

I’ve got a few of them

 

I just built a “39” trans. Using a 78 case, added 1948 side shift gear set, shift tower is double detent 81A with the 3” fork (91A). It’s going on my modified 1930 Tudor. Closed driveline.