got a three on the tree, and cant find parts.

[cliffs78]

Hey fella's, I've just got my hands on an old fleetside that is near to my heart. I had one alot like it when I was 16, learned to drive in it and have been on the lookout for one for... oh about 20 years.

So the long of the short is. Have any of ya'll located and or been able to rebuild one of these three speed column shifters? With new or aftermarket parts..

I know its not a very desirable set up, and all my buddies are tellin me to just install a floor shifter, or an auto, or go 4/5 speed and be done with it, but I wanna stay original. Thats why I bought this particular truck, nostalgia..

Thanks in advance

[walkerb]

Good for you sticking to originality! Search the forum for threads. I've seen posts about bushing, etc....

Mine was a 3 on tree until the owner before me moved it to the floor. Keep us updated

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by walkerb

Good for you sticking to originality! Search the forum for threads. I've seen posts about bushing, etc....

Mine was a 3 on tree until the owner before me moved it to the floor. Keep us updated

thanks for the tip, the bushings in the linkage arms appear to be good, and intact with the metal sleeves.

The problem with it is that the "arm" for 2nd/3rd gear will kinda fall or stay in or near the 3rd gear position.

Pardon me for not knowing the correct terms. but on the column, the part that actually moves the linkage rods, wont engage the 1st or reverse linkage rod all the time..

I found a post somewhere on an adjustment for these and am attempting to adjust it, hoping for the best, but I see one plastic bearing cup cracked, and the bearing itself looks to be a bit worn..
bearing cup


this is the "actuator" for the lack of better terms..



and this piece here, I'm hopin' is supposed to be 3/4 cut..

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by cliffs78

thanks for the tip, the bushings in the linkage arms appear to be good, and intact with the metal sleeves.

The problem with it is that the "arm" for 2nd/3rd gear will kinda fall or stay in or near the 3rd gear position.

Pardon me for not knowing the correct terms. but on the column, the part that actually moves the linkage rods, wont engage the 1st or reverse linkage rod all the time..

I found a post somewhere on an adjustment for these and am attempting to adjust it, hoping for the best, but I see one plastic bearing cup cracked, and the bearing itself looks to be a bit worn..
bearing cup


this is the "actuator" for the lack of better terms..



and this piece here, I'm hopin' is supposed to be 3/4 cut..

All of the parts you are showing seem visually okay. The plastic piece you mention is cracked and this is very common on all columns. All of the pieces you mentioned won't have anything to do with how it shifts. basically you have the plastic bearing holder, bearing, bearing retainer(3/4 cut piece) and a clip to hold it on. As far as the actual 3 on the tree specific stuff I have no idea. I do have factory manual and would be happy to scan the pages for you if needed though.

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

All of the parts you are showing seem visually okay. The plastic piece you mention is cracked and this is very common on all columns. All of the pieces you mentioned won't have anything to do with how it shifts. basically you have the plastic bearing holder, bearing, bearing retainer(3/4 cut piece) and a clip to hold it on. As far as the actual 3 on the tree specific stuff I have no idea. I do have factory manual and would be happy to scan the pages for you if needed though.

So, I'm guessing it's mostly an adjustment issue?

[cliffs78]

So I'm a little embarrassed to say, but in my defense I'm a class 8 mekanik..
Here it is, I think I got the linkage actuator squared away, but still having difficulty changing gears. Or more appropriately selecting the intended gear.



slop in the shifter arm pin.



I'm going to pull the column back out, and tear it down completely and then try and find another column in a j/y hopefully... if not maybe a little creativity with some jb.

[1774btcrew]

Or since you are local in phoenix I could print out the pages from the manual and give them to you.

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

Or since you are local in phoenix I could print out the pages from the manual and give them to you.

Hey that would be great!! As I'm unable to find any PDF stuff so far. And seem to have misplaced or left behind my old manuals...

Where bouts are you located?

[1774btcrew]

Good luck on your hunt! There aren't very many of them out there but they do show up. I was at 3 wrecking yards today and didn't see any of them.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

I miss driving 3OTT. You should watch the chase scene from the 1978 film Driver. YouTube it if you haven't seen it.

[D13]

The column wears internally, the gates get all beat up and then the column wil hang 1-2 or get locked in 3rd.

The later 3/4 ton trck have a heavier trans and seem to have a more solid column. At least my 81 never had a linkage issue wheras the 77 does.

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by D13

The column wears internally, the gates get all beat up and then the column wil hang 1-2 or get locked in 3rd.

The later 3/4 ton trck have a heavier trans and seem to have a more solid column. At least my 81 never had a linkage issue wheras the 77 does.

I was under the impression that the three on the tree was only used in half ton's. What are all the applications for these? It would be great to know there are more for availability!

[1774btcrew]

Originally Posted by cliffs78

I was under the impression that the three on the tree was only used in half ton's. What are all the applications for these? It would be great to know there are more for availability!

These do show up occasionally. I saw one a few months ago at the wrecking yard. I will keep my eyes open for one

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

These do show up occasionally. I saw one a few months ago at the wrecking yard. I will keep my eyes open for one

Appreciate that btcrew! , btw, would you have a line on any thing internal to the column, or perhaps pieces to the column in new or aftermarket?

I have cash! lol

[D13]

Originally Posted by cliffs78

I was under the impression that the three on the tree was only used in half ton's. What are all the applications for these? It would be great to know there are more for availability!

Some heavy 1/2's, some BB cars in the 60's, 3/4 ton trucks with 250's and possibly 292/305's. Mine's a 1981 light 3/4 with 250 inline and the HD 3 speed and no other options. I'm not sure exactly what is different but it has the big clutch and a different option code. And the column shifting seems much more robust than any of my earlier stuff.

[MikeB]

Cliff, I just finished rebuilding my 82 pickup's 3-speed column. I put so much time in it, I could probably assemble it blindfolded, and that's not much of an exaggeration!

I didn't read all your posts above, but I can tell your the gearshift handle is not bent. And good luck finding a shifter bowl (the aluminum bowl that the shifter handle attaches to). I searched high and low and couldn't find one. I ended up enlarging the two worn-out holes and the gearshift handle hole to 6mm, and then used a 6mm bolt and locknut to replace the pin. That got rid of much of the slop. I also added sleeves (made with shim stock) to both the top and lower bores of the shifter bowl, so it wouldn't wobble on the shift tube. Picture below.

Also, the broken washer in one of your pictures is a wave washer that serves as a thrust washer (and tensioner) between the shifter bowl and the plastic bearing that snaps into the column below the bowl. The GM P/N is 7804447. If the plastic bearing looks OK but doesn't snap into the column securely, build up the 3 tabs on the bearing's OD using epoxy, and then file down until the bearing snaps in place and does not wobble. If you need a new one that WILL snap in, I have one that I'll sell you. It's GM P/N 7843457.

If you have a service manual, it shows you how to tighten up the slop in the shifter levers at the bottom of the column. It's a matter of rotating the cover sleeve (actually "retainer, bearing adapter"). You can also buy bronze bushings that fit in the rubber grommets on the levers, assuming the grommets are OK. I got mine from an online bearing supply house, and may have 2 extras.

I've got lots and lots of tips after spending probably 40-50 hours in the garage plus dozens of hours on the Internet. If I can be of any help, let me know.

Sleeves to remove slop between "bowls" and shifter tube:



What a job, but after 40-50 hours, I know the parts intimately!

[walkerb]

Super hard columns to find. Find someone to rebuild yours before you yank it. Have it back in a week. Good as new.

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by walkerb

Super hard columns to find. Find someone to rebuild yours before you yank it. Have it back in a week. Good as new.

I can rebuild it myself if I could find parts, or a diagram... I have it out and will ship it to ANYWHERE if they can promise me they will make it like "new" again. But I doubt thats a possible, since I cant seem to find anything on these online.

Have you got a place near you that works on these old shifters? If so could you give my their info, so I could contact them? I'd love to have this thing like new again SOON!

thanx!

[walkerb]

I found a stolen and recovery shop that did air bags and steering columns. A good auto body place can recommend one.
I just wanted it work correctly and im glad I spent the coin.

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by walkerb

I found a stolen and recovery shop that did air bags and steering columns. A good auto body place can recommend one.
I just wanted it work correctly and im glad I spent the coin.

Thanks for the tips, but that sounds about as complicated as just finding the parts...

[DPowers]

Might try these guys:

http://www.columnsgalore.com/index.htm

[cliffs78]

Originally Posted by DPowers

Might try these guys:

http://www.columnsgalore.com/index.htm

AWESOME!!! Sure appreciate the link DPowers!!! I called them this morning but unfortunately they are closed on the weekends, but I left a msg and hope to hear back from them on monday. The did have a listing online for complete rebuilt column for $575, but the ol' lady kinda threw a fit... Their page showed that they will have parts available online soon, so hoping I can sort something out with them, possibly a whole kit, or find a way to itemize just the parts I need.

Thanks again man, that is what I have been looking for!! Outstanding!!

[cliffs78]

pretty sure do to abuse this piece is trash.. and hopefully I can get a replacement thru Dpowers link.





Not sure what to think here, it appears bent, but not sure if this is supposed to be bent, or if this happened from abuse...




this pic also shows a broken shim, and the little white pieces are some sort of tube guide/shims that have worn down over the years.



MY thinking is, adding up all the play, and slop from these worn and broken components are adding up to ALOT of play near the bottom of the column where it counts.

So if I am able to acquire all the little pieces needed, the ol truck should be back on the road here shortly!!


Thanks again for the help guys!

[cliffs78]

Thought I'd share some pics of the ol' truck, I know how much everybody likes pics!

















title matches the odometer, and reads 99k, been sittin for atleast 4 years.

[hatzie]

Three on the tree setup.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=215307

Snag the service manuals for 73 & 74 from my service manual thread.

The 78 Wiring and Unit Repair manuals are up. I'll be posting the 78 service manual soon but the 73 & 74 manuals have a lot more theory of operation info than the later year manuals.