Auto Floor Shifters - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Diablo de la Noche · 02-18-2010, 01:39 AM

I have run into a dilemma. The PO took off the column shifter and bolted in a cheap floor shifter with no safety catch. You just push it and it goes into the nearest gear. Not so bad if it were a manual transmission. This has made my automatic shifter truly automatic. I have searched summit, hurst, etc and can't seem to find the right shifter for one of our trucks, everything seems "geared" for cars. I love the Locar models, but that just won't fit into my design for a semi-classic (mid '70s) style hot rod.
Does anyone have any sane suggestions as to what I should be looking for in terms of the type/model of auto shifter? I have a 700R auto hooked to a 350 (1986 vintage).

BTW, I did search the threads but couldn't find what I needed.

junkyardjohn · 02-18-2010, 07:38 AM

THERES A TON OF FLOOR SHIFTERS FOR 700R4s. CHECK WITH THE VENDORS ON THIS SIGHT, OR ANY OF THE HOTROD SHOPS (SUMMIT, JEGS ECT.) JOHN

cdowns · 02-18-2010, 07:42 AM

i like the looks and feel of the ;okar nostalga type of shifters with the long handles

junkyardjohn · 02-18-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i like the looks and feel of the ;okar nostalga type of shifters with the long handles

yeh.. I like em also. I would like to get a 24 or 32" shifter with two bends, to fit a t-400. John

68Stepbed · 02-18-2010, 09:45 AM

Why do you say the Lokar shifters don't fit the 70's vintage? I had a 23" shifter in mine before and it looked pretty cool. It was one of the biggest conversation pieces of the truck. Most people thought it had a manual tranny in it. Alot of it has to do with the knob you get for it. Mine had the mushroom knob, but the 8-ball knob would look vintage.

bamabaxter · 02-18-2010, 10:32 AM

B&M Truck Mega Shifter

fastom · 02-18-2010, 01:40 PM

The Lokar in my truck is the best!!!

Nova70 · 02-18-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamabaxter

B&M Truck Mega Shifter

That's what mine has and it's good for a floor shift. I'm getting a smaller shifter when I get my center console all built though. Think I'm going with the B&M Hammer shifter.

lt704 · 02-18-2010, 09:14 PM

Hi 68stepbed, does your lokar connect to a nuetral safety switch ? also does it have any shift indicator or do you just where the gear is ?. the lokar looks cool...thanks

Diablo de la Noche · 02-18-2010, 10:09 PM

68Shortbed, you are right. It looks real nice. I looked at a bunch of them and I think Lokar is going to be it. I will tell the wife to look the other way when I click "buy". Kinda spendy, but you get what you pay for. I really like the 8-ball look, but I may re-think my interior design scheme looking at the machined shift knob!

Choices, choices, choices.

huero · 02-18-2010, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt704

Hi 68stepbed, does your lokar connect to a nuetral safety switch ? also does it have any shift indicator or do you just where the gear is ?. the lokar looks cool...thanks

I don't know if they have updated their shifters but you get only one switch. Either nuetal saftey or reverse lights but, not both.

AusTx68 · 02-18-2010, 11:10 PM

Make sure the length fits the look you are after. I installed the 23" Lokar shown in 68Stepbed's photo. It was way too long for my taste. As you can see in his photo, the shifter knob is above the radio and almost goes above the dash line. Felt like I was in an 18 wheeler. I took it out and returned it to Summit for the same shifter in 16". That should put the shift know down by the vent controls.

68Stepbed · 02-19-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lt704

Hi 68stepbed, does your lokar connect to a nuetral safety switch ? also does it have any shift indicator or do you just where the gear is ?. the lokar looks cool...thanks

Yes it had a neutral safety switch, but I never wired it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by huero

I don't know if they have updated their shifters but you get only one switch. Either nuetal saftey or reverse lights but, not both.

Mine had hook ups for both, but I didn't have reverse lights, so.......

Quote:

Originally Posted by AusTx68

Make sure the length fits the look you are after. I installed the 23" Lokar shown in 68Stepbed's photo. It was way too long for my taste. As you can see in his photo, the shifter knob is above the radio and almost goes above the dash line. Felt like I was in an 18 wheeler. I took it out and returned it to Summit for the same shifter in 16". That should put the shift know down by the vent controls.

You're right, the length makes a big difference. The 23" shifter happened to look good with the theme I had going. It was a tad tall though. I was gonna swap it for the 16" when I restored it, but decided to go with column shift for a cleaner look instead.

mixermike · 02-19-2010, 09:46 AM

here's mine ....i thought it was to long at first ......i really like after i got used to it

lt704 · 02-21-2010, 10:56 AM

Thanks everyone for the info. i do like the lokar shifter.

junkyardjohn · 02-21-2010, 11:45 AM

[QUOTE=mixermike;here's mine ....i thought it was to long at first ......i really like after i got used to it[/QUOTE]

MIKE.. DO YOU HAVE THE PART# HANDY?? THAT IS THE EXACT SHIFTER I NEED BUT FOR A T-400. JOHN

02-18-2010, 01:39 AM	#1
Diablo de la Noche Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 142	Auto Floor Shifters I have run into a dilemma. The PO took off the column shifter and bolted in a cheap floor shifter with no safety catch. You just push it and it goes into the nearest gear. Not so bad if it were a manual transmission. This has made my automatic shifter truly automatic. I have searched summit, hurst, etc and can't seem to find the right shifter for one of our trucks, everything seems "geared" for cars. I love the Locar models, but that just won't fit into my design for a semi-classic (mid '70s) style hot rod. Does anyone have any sane suggestions as to what I should be looking for in terms of the type/model of auto shifter? I have a 700R auto hooked to a 350 (1986 vintage). BTW, I did search the threads but couldn't find what I needed. __________________ www.coolmoodart.com

02-18-2010, 07:38 AM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	Re: Auto Floor Shifters THERES A TON OF FLOOR SHIFTERS FOR 700R4s. CHECK WITH THE VENDORS ON THIS SIGHT, OR ANY OF THE HOTROD SHOPS (SUMMIT, JEGS ECT.) JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

02-18-2010, 07:42 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Auto Floor Shifters i like the looks and feel of the ;okar nostalga type of shifters with the long handles __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-18-2010, 09:45 AM	#5
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Auto Floor Shifters Why do you say the Lokar shifters don't fit the 70's vintage? I had a 23" shifter in mine before and it looked pretty cool. It was one of the biggest conversation pieces of the truck. Most people thought it had a manual tranny in it. Alot of it has to do with the knob you get for it. Mine had the mushroom knob, but the 8-ball knob would look vintage. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system

02-18-2010, 10:32 AM	#6
bamabaxter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Clinton, MS Posts: 545	Re: Auto Floor Shifters B&M Truck Mega Shifter __________________ '72 Chevy C10 383, 700r4, 3.73's A little rust never hurt anyone. I consider it weight reduction.

02-18-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
fastom That's right, it's Copper!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bakersfield, Central California Posts: 558	Re: Auto Floor Shifters The Lokar in my truck is the best!!! Attached Images __________________ Tom: 1968 Chevy SWB ZZ383 W/700R4 Gen-II Compact Vintage Air System PPG paint, Mandarin Copper and Vanilla Shake. http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/fastom Stupid should hurt and eventually become fatal!

02-18-2010, 09:14 PM	#9
lt704 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berkley, Massachusetts Posts: 235	Re: Auto Floor Shifters Hi 68stepbed, does your lokar connect to a nuetral safety switch ? also does it have any shift indicator or do you just where the gear is ?. the lokar looks cool...thanks

02-18-2010, 10:09 PM	#10
Diablo de la Noche Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 142	Re: Auto Floor Shifters 68Shortbed, you are right. It looks real nice. I looked at a bunch of them and I think Lokar is going to be it. I will tell the wife to look the other way when I click "buy". Kinda spendy, but you get what you pay for. I really like the 8-ball look, but I may re-think my interior design scheme looking at the machined shift knob! Choices, choices, choices. __________________ www.coolmoodart.com

02-18-2010, 11:10 PM	#12
AusTx68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Italy Posts: 1,278	Re: Auto Floor Shifters Make sure the length fits the look you are after. I installed the 23" Lokar shown in 68Stepbed's photo. It was way too long for my taste. As you can see in his photo, the shifter knob is above the radio and almost goes above the dash line. Felt like I was in an 18 wheeler. I took it out and returned it to Summit for the same shifter in 16". That should put the shift know down by the vent controls. __________________ '68 C-10 SWB 383 Stroker (Sold 3/2/2013) '87 R2500 LWB 454 TBI converted to Carb Last edited by AusTx68; 02-18-2010 at 11:11 PM.

02-19-2010, 09:46 AM	#14
mixermike Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Post Falls, Idaho Posts: 606	Re: Auto Floor Shifters here's mine ....i thought it was to long at first ......i really like after i got used to it

02-21-2010, 10:56 AM	#15
lt704 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berkley, Massachusetts Posts: 235	Re: Auto Floor Shifters Thanks everyone for the info. i do like the lokar shifter.

02-21-2010, 11:45 AM	#16
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	Re: Auto Floor Shifters [QUOTE=mixermike;here's mine ....i thought it was to long at first ......i really like after i got used to it[/QUOTE] MIKE.. DO YOU HAVE THE PART# HANDY?? THAT IS THE EXACT SHIFTER I NEED BUT FOR A T-400. JOHN __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

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