Converting to Floor Shift Questions

[SayBye]

The last thing I have to do to get my 64 road worthy is get the transmission issue fixed, it's jumping out of 2nd gear. Ive been driving it and shifting from 1st to 3rd but that gets really old really quick lol so Im thinking its a linkage issue and Im wanting to swap over to a floor shift. Ive done some reading, actually found a pretty good thread here...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ift+conversion

Is it easier to remove the transmission from the truck to install the Hurst shifter or can it easily be done with the transmission still in place?

The thread Ive linked is pretty good but its there a dedicated "tutorial" thread somewhere of a member doing this swap?

Is Hurst still the best shift and linkage kit or are guys using something different these days?

[Black66]

I installed a new hurst 4spd competition plus shifter on my 66 and it was pretty simple. It shifts very solid and I would recommend it. I put it on a saginaw 441 trans while it was still in the truck. Just got under it and went to work!

[SayBye]

This is the Indy shifter everyone talks about Im guessing? Just want to make sure I have the correct kit... does this come with everything I need or do I need to pick something else up while Im at it?

http://www.jegs.com/p/Hurst/Hurst-In...47580/10002/-1

[SayBye]

Found this one on ebay... guessing this is something I could use? Not sure about the shift rods though...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hurst-Indy-3...d28e6a&vxp=mtr

Do I need to just buy the shifter and I can use my shift rods that are currently on my truck?

[ncoonen]

You didn't ask but jumping out of gear is usually a sign that the transmission needs to be rebuilt. Before you jump into the floor shift project, spend a few minutes making sure your current linkage is the problem. Find out which shift rod runs 2nd and 3rd and adjust it to be sure the transmission is going all the way into 2nd when you shift. I've done this by shifting into second and then carefully removing the shift rod from the transmission selector arm. Manipulate the selector arm to be sure it is fully engaged in 2nd gear. Once you're convinced it's in 2nd, see of you can reconnect the shift rod. If you can't shorten/lengthen the rod as needed to reconnect it and then try it on the road. If it hooks right back up, the trans is likely in need of a rebuild.

Unless all the bushings fail at once, old sloppy shifters like the 3-on-the-tree units in our trucks don't go out of adjustment often. The usually get crankier and crankier until you have to rebuild them.

...ned.

[markeb01]

From experience back in the old days - the main reason for jumping out of 2nd gear in a 3 speed manual transmission is a worn out synchronizer. Same thing for 3rd gear in a 4 speed. Almost always a worn out synchro. Shifter adjustment or replacement likely won't help a bit.