Transmission Linkage To Steering Column

[corkscrew]

I just put in my new flaming river column and i was dissappointed when my column could not be straight up and down with the indicator on top, instead it is on a tilt. I am really bummed with this and was wondering if other people have had this problem and if they fixed it by either customizing a tranny linkage or some other way. any help or tips would be appreciated!

[piecesparts]

First of all mount the column the way you want it, THEN make the changes to the linkage to make it match. There is ALWAYS a way to make something fit. That is what I would do.

[corkscrew]

how could you make a new linkage tho??? its really tough...o well ill find a way

[piecesparts]

On most trucks the linkage is a hard rod from the column to the first swivel point. Am i right so far? If so, then replace that rod with a new one that is bent at the same place and just a little longer. This is one of the reasons why I eliminated the danged column shift. The other reason was so I could shift my tranny manually without fear of hitting reversre at 60 MPH.

[corkscrew]

there is the shift linkage that is on the column and then that linkage hooks up to a rod that shifts the tranny...so i think i need a shorter linkage...how can i do that