Does anyone have a copy of the Sept. 2004 St. Rodder issue that discussed adapting the Jeep top (tower) style shifter to the Ford 3 and 4 speed trans.? Looking for specifics on machining necessary to the forks. Other than this, it is apparently a bolt-on swap. Ability to scan the article or "how-to" description would be appreciated.... Thanks
I'm sure I have it somewhere, but it is likely buried in storage. It is a pretty straight-forward operation though. From memory, you need only grind on the case for clearance of the top-mounted shifter forks. I don't recall any machining to the forks themselves. Of course, you'll also have to remove the side-shift forks and plug the holes... Check with David Kee Toploaders - he's got all the parts and may be willing to talk to you about the conversion.
Thanks for the info., Ernie; will look into D. Kee's site..(have heard he's pretty spendy.) Also looking at wide ratio truck trans. for their compact size and durability. My Ford to G.M. adapter will limit my choices.....
I installed the TREMEC T150 (not the same as a BW T15) 3 spd top on my 3.03 Ford three speed without any mods other than removing the side shift parts and plugging the holes with Freeze Plugs.
Finding a donor jeep shifter is the hard part. I bought a jeep trans on the bay, kept the top and re-sold the box with its gears to recoup some of the money. All you need to modify the Ford case is a gasket for the jeep shifter top. That shows you where you will have to grind. All the grinding does is remove material that impedes you assembling the thing. Freeze plugs fill the original side shifter holes after all that is removed.
Thanks for the responses, guys. Will likely go with a 3 speed setup; the wide ratio gears should be a good fit for a torquey Olds. The search begins for a T-150 shifter and shorty 1/2 ton tailshaft to reduce overall length......
3 speeds are a compromise...I'm sure that torquey Olds will pull it just fine, but imagine how much more fun with one more gear!
The Jalopy Journal
