how to use a '39 topshift unit on a mid/late '60s Ford full-syncro 3 spd top-loader? I seem to remember a magazine article from 'back-in-the-day' that described how w/pictures, but I don't remember the magazine &/or date. Something to do about fabbing an adapter plate & modifying one(or both?) of the shifter forks seems correct? I know someone on here is sure to know all about it, & probably even wrote the article, so HELP!!
I know about that swap on the late ford truck box ; this one is 'pre'-jeep : probably mid '70s(?), & definately '39 FORD topshift unit(probably pick-up?)
Pre Jeep?? 1941(?) I do not know what you consider late model Ford truck box, 1965? 75? 80? The only swap like that I know of is indeed the Jeep swap off a mid-late 70s Jeep CJ three and four speed manual. Some of these Jeep transmissions are the exact same as the full syncro top loader 3 and 4 speeds of the 1960s. The Jeep top is a near dead ringer for the 39-F-1 Top. The conversion is simple, the flat top plate of the Ford is removed, the side forks are removed, holes sealed, clearance is made on the case for the Jeep forks, the Jeep top is bolted on and now you have a center top shift toploader that resembles the 39 crash box. Now there is a round flathead era part "bellousing" that can be bolted to the toploader. This bell has the hole for the early Ford clutch lever. This part would bolt directly to a 59A Flathead. On a 8BA the F-1 bell is used then this bell is bolted to it. http://www.modelengineeringco.com/bellhous.htm
Before the Jeep shifter/Ford toploader swap was well known, there was an article in one of the magazines about how to adapt a '39 Ford topshifter(pick-up) shifter unit to the '64-up Ford top loader trans. Apparently there were some significant differences from the now popular Jeep conversion for the earlier conversion : these are what we are trying to determine at this time : I do hope this explanation clears up any confusion in F-one's mind?
I wonder if Jeff ever found the article? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...side-shift-to-top-loader.847678/#post-9374403
Thank you Squirrel : you found one of the threads we were looking for, as well as leads to possible others! The HAMB family comes through yet again!!
BUT : We are STILL LOOKING for the article & information about how to fit a '39 Ford tower to a mid/late '60s Ford toploader full syncro 3spd transmission......We know that it was done & published, so now we are trying to find IT, not what someone else believes we should do instead. Thank you.
I have a few of those B-W trannies, and a Jeep 150 top cover to convert one. I was looking for another Jeep tower for a second one, but as I have some double-detent '39-'41 pickup 3-speed towers I'll have to try that trick. Thanks...due to the strange shape and placement of the 9 bolts in the top of the ****** case, hought of trying it! (coupled with the fact the Jeep fits already, so why convert a fallen woman back to a nice girl?)
If you have the two donor transmissions, see if you can figure it out yourself (we'll all help, of course). If someone could do it in the 70s with the primitive capabilities they had, it should still be possible today, eh?
Yes I have done that conversion on my street rod.Its quite simple and it has been on there for over 10 years now.I have a mid 60's 3 speed Ford box.You will need to pull out anything that resembles the original shifter and plug the holes.I used small frost plugs in the side of the box,but they do leak oil from there.You will need to make a plate/spacer to go in between the new/old shifter with counter sunk holes in it.This will be bolted to the top of your gearbox using the original holes.Next cut the shifter forks of your old ford shifter on put to the side.Use the original ones you used from the box,that you took out earlier.Get your box into neutral and sit the forks where they would go on top.Stuff the gearbox with rags,lower the shifter down and tack weld them onto your 39 shifter.Pull the shifter off weld properly,bolt it down and whalla,old shifter on an later box.Mine even jumps out of 2nd gear like an old box.I have fooled heaps of people with that especially when they think they see a early box behind a FE.Used to be done down here heaps back in the day.Hope that helps
Your original description is pretty much correct ... I have one at home that was done just like that, e.g. a 37-39 Ford shift tower on a 65 Galaxie 3 speed all-synchro top-loader. I bought it off a friend who did the actual conversion and there was an article in one of our local little pages magazines that describes how he does it but I won't be able to dig the article out or take any pics for a couple of weeks.
Im actually due to top up my gearbox oil,perfect timing really,so I will take the whole shifter off and take pics if that helps
Deadbeat : YOU DA MAN!!! Thats the info we were looking for!! Thank you for speaking up & helping us re-create an "old-school" application!! When you get the pictures available, that would definately be a plus!! And a thanks to 'SimonSez' for also confirming that we weren't crazy !
no probs champ.Im at home atm,recovering from shoulder surgery,so I will get onto it tomorrow for you.Not sure how the pics will turn out as the trans is in the car,but you should get a feel for what we did.I will make some measurements for you as well. Dont forget that im 2o plus hours ahead of you,lol. It is really quite easy,,cheers
I asked the same question about the Street Rodder article a few years ago to be told about the T 150 Jeep shifter ,,I saw the use of the standard parts of the Jeep would be better,,,but if you have the parts and the time to make the adaptor it would be OK too,,
Im trying to load some pics to show you all how I did my coversion,but my pics are to big for the server.I will try and make them smaller.Failing that I will get your email address and send them to you
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