Hi, I’m trying to utilize the stock column shifter with a c4 trans but I’m not having luck finding any linkage kits or something I can piece together to make it work. I’m hoping someone here can point me in the right direction on what I can do to achieve this. Worst case I can convert to floor shifter but I’d prefer not to cut a hole in the floor if possible. I’m also trying to locate a shift handle and knob to purchase. Thanks.
I used a kit from Lokar when I put a C4 in mine but I had the automatic column. It wasn’t made for the factory column but it worked fine
What are you working with? 3 speed manual or Stock first year 2 speed Ford-o-Matic? You're not going to find any bolt up Kit to do the job. My Stock 51 Auto unit shifts a 700-R-4. P is park R is reverse N is neutral and L is low as it should be. Not an easy task but if you have some Fab Skills and understand the job at hand doing a C-4 change is much easier than what I went through. It's all in what you want and what you are willing to do. Another option if you want something looking close to Stock would be a 58 Ford Car jacket adapted to your stock steering box and dash mount. Unfortunately, that unit doesn't have an indicator Crown on the jacket. I went way past normal work to make everything in my 51 look and work like it was factory stock. If I can do it so can you, ya just have to want it bad enough.
There's a post from this site, September 22, 2016, 3spd. Column shift for auto trans. On this very subject.
I'd suggest that you find a column that is close as @Pist-n-Broke suggested. On a 27 Track T I wanted a column shift automatic, I used a 58?? Pontiac upper portion and a 60 or so Studebaker lower section (the Pontiac shift arm was too big and the Stude arm was much smaller....I used the Studebaker Park switch so the car can't be started in gear...someone else in a post noted that you need the "detent" so the you won't inadvertently knock it out of park) and modified the Pontiac center steering shaft for U Joints to get to the steering sector. I'm currently working on a 62 F100 and will use a 77 F250 column with the P/S box from CPP. I'd guess that the 77 Column would slide over your steering shaft (assuming you are staying with stock steering). Just a possible alternative.
I have preached on this point for years. Not so much about coming out of Park when starting or even the N start switch but a Personal Lesson at 80 mph and a bridge joint on the Hwy that was so rough with the combination of the jolt and just the weight and leverage of the shift handle, I found myself dropping into LOW Gear. Let me tell you, that*****s up your whole day and many to come. That index detent is priceless and, NO the internal spring finger holding the valve body shift arm isn't strong enough to do the job by itself. Even just a pothole has the potential to do the same thing to ya. The Park thing is this. Cars sitting there running and you're under the Hood tunning and wick the throttle by hand. The motor torque rocks and next thing you know it's in Reverse and nobody is behind the wheel. Sound like Fun? The Wizzard
I am also interested in what responses to this thread might shed light on this issue. I have a 50 Ford and have installed an AOD and want to use the stock steering column. I know I can buy a floor shift but, like the original poster, I would like to keep and convert the three speed lever. I have been looking through HAMB and read a few posts on this but not many pictures of the actual conversion. I did see a converted column yesterday at the Frog Follies swap but it was basically cobled together. and I couldn't see any detents.
I did this on a customer's car and made a catch on the lower column so that you have to pull it up out of it To get it out of park that way, it locks in park at least.
If you can find a 51 part it will bolt right on your stock 50 steering box and to your dash mount. Very Few will ever say it's not stock. The index detent is on the automatic unit. It just takes very little adjusting to make it work for either C-4 or AOD.
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