700r4 in 72 truck what shifter you using?

[DCoffey1972]

New to the site. just bought a 72 GMC short stepside. has been 19 years since i last had one ( drove a Long bed 72 all thru high school) - chassis was all done when i bought truck. has a 700r4 trans in it & an ugly aftermarket floor shifter ( which is terrible to try & shift) want to know what shifter you all are using with a 4 speed trans? i plan on putting a factory tilt column in it so would like to put it back on the column & free up some floor space.


lmk & thanks Doug


little info on my truck. not much to look at right now but will in the future.

All the chassis/drivetrain has been restored. frame sandblasted & painted-
all front end components replaced. new aftermarket sway bar, all new brake lines front to rear with braided brake lines from frame to calipers & wheel cylinders.
lowered 2" front & 4" rear with drop spindles & rear springs.
factroy a/c-p/s-p/b truck.
Engine is 350 ( built to ZZ430 HP SPECS) with gm performance parts fast burn alum heads, self aligning roller rockers,hydraulic roller cam, edelbrock rpm air gap intake, holley 750 vac. sec. carb, hedman elite coated headers, 3" exh with h pipe
700r4 trans with tci 2500 conv.
12 bolt rear with new 3:73 gears, new eaton posi unit & all new bearings custom aluminum fuel tank in the rear with electric fuel pump/filter & braided fuel line from tank all the way to the front.

[leddzepp]

If you put a factory tilt column in, use Lokar or Kugel Komponents shift linkage. The kit is around 50 bucks and works great, very easy to install, and you can dial in your shift indicator properly. I have a 72 with a 700R4 also, with factory tilt column.

[bbarooo]

I have used the factory linkage on previous projects. All I had to change was the bracket on the frame to the 4wd(or th400?) style to move the linkage back a bit.

[sleepertruck72]

I have a 72 with non tilt column and my 700r4 works with the factory linkage. I need to replace the indicator with the one that has OD but it is functional none the less.

[rambler]

looks like you got a nice start there, welcome to the board

[Custom 68]

I have the 4l60e same as the 700 and I am using my original linkage. Mine is with a tilt column, I would like to find a OD lens fore replacement also.
Dave

[michael bustamante]

I dont have column shift but Im waitin for spring time to come along so I can install my 700 r4 also, Ill be using me B&M sport shifter. Its on the floor but it looks good and doenst take up hardly any room.

[fastom]

I used a Lokar shifter in mine. It works great and looks good too!

[EyeH8the24]

im using ab&m prostick for now but thinking a gennie or lokar when its all done

[DCoffey1972]

Thanks for all the replies, all the shift linkage was gone when i got the truck so i have to find that. will have to look for a shift indicator with the 4th gear provision. anyone know who makes them? i need to become a site supporter so i can post for items i need for the build.

[cparman]

I did what LEDZEPP did. works great, has plenty of adjustability to it!! Lokar

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by DCoffey1972

Thanks for all the replies, all the shift linkage was gone when i got the truck so i have to find that. will have to look for a shift indicator with the 4th gear provision. anyone know who makes them? i need to become a site supporter so i can post for items i need for the build.

www.truckandcarshop.com has them. you might also want to check with a board vendor...I do not know if any of them sell the one with the overdrive indicator

[STOCKISH]

Welcome to the site, and nice looking truck too.

[72BlckButy]

First off welcome to the site!

I recently asked the same question, and I had more responses telling me to use the original linkage. I had initially thought about Lokar, but sounds like I'll be running the stock linkage and a factory tilt column.

Best of luck with the project!

[leddzepp]

Factory tilt column and Lokar linkage work sooo much better...but to each his own! If you are going with a 700R4, and an overdrive indicator you will not be able to get your shift indicator lined up properly using the factory linkage.

[Security guy]

Just finished mine up last week. I got a tilt out of a camper truck and shortened it about an inch or two at the same time. I bought a lokar rod shift to work with the factory column (about $55) and it the rod going down to the trans was an inch or two to short. I guess it was because i shortened the column. I found a rod off of another car and had to do a little work to it, but it works great now. I didn't want to cut a hole in the floor. Lokar makes a cable type to work with the factory column, but its about $125. The rod type works well and half the price. I guess it depends on if you want original looking or just something that works. Hope this helps.

[DCoffey1972]

Truck is not going to be original looking, alum headed small block, lowered etc. just want something that functions smoothly. was just looking at the lokar piece looks nice. dont think it would be worth my time to make it in the shop with it only being about $50

[Richard8971]

I am using a factory tilt automatic column out of a '72 and I used the factory linkage. I got a dial indicator from one of the muscle car shops here for my truck for about 5 bucks. LMC has them as well.

As has been said, the stock linage doesn't line up, but I'm OK with that for now. I'll replace the linkage sometime down the road.

Nice looking truck, welcome to the site!

Don

[bbarooo]

In addition to the 4wd bracket I drilled a new hole just in front of the original on the pivot piece (between the trans and frame) and it lines up perfectly. Even the neutral safety and back up switches. I bought my indicator and the truck shop that leddzepp linked.

[70GMCer]

I have the Lokar column linkage rod setup in my truck now & do not like it. The Lokar linkage is nice looking, but there's no give & also you will be getting vibrations from the drive train through to the column & shifter using it. I'm going to be installing factory linkage shortly. The pivot points on the factory linkage will do away with a lot of the vibs..... This is just an "Old Farts" Opinion!!

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by 70GMCer

I have the Lokar column linkage rod setup in my truck now & do not like it. The Lokar linkage is nice looking, but there's no give & also you will be getting vibrations from the drive train through to the column & shifter using it. I'm going to be installing factory linkage shortly. The pivot points on the factory linkage will do away with a lot of the vibs..... This is just an "Old Farts" Opinion!!

another ole farts opinion, i to had a lokar column linkage in my truck and you'er right they don't do what they are supposed to. i put the factory linkage back on and it works fine.

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by fastom

I used a Lokar shifter in mine. It works great and looks good too!

:Chevy: hey fastom, cool idea for a floor console under the dash, thanks for the your help on that idea ,"do you mind if i use the idea to build one for my truck"; 1970 Chevy 1/2'er just getting done with the restoration on the whole truck. been trying to figure out how I'm going to mount the three gauges i have and didn't want to hang them from under the dash. thanks again

[cparman]

factory tilt column, lokar linkage, works just great. I also got a shift indicator lens from one of the parts suppliers.

[seldomseen65]

Originally Posted by fastom

I used a Lokar shifter in mine. It works great and looks good too!

fastom, can you give some more details on how you built the center consul in your truck ,,it's a very cool idea and it looks good the way it's done. I'm restoring the "ghost" (a 1970 Chevy 1/2';er ,all white right now) and i have made different door panels for it and they look good i think, and the carpet will be put in to match the rest of the interior ,,but when i seen the way you put in your shifter, and it looks cool in there, i wanted to touch bases with you and ask you more about the center consul , which i think you did a great job on.
i want to put in indicator lights on the panel and switches for the different things I'm hooking up to them. So please get back to me as soon as you have the time, thanks for your great idea, and talk with you later. Larry ,

[MonteSS454]

Originally Posted by fastom

I used a Lokar shifter in mine. It works great and looks good too!

Is that the cable operated on of the non cable? I'm lloking at 1 of those 2 Lokars for my 700r4 and need some feedback. Also how long is the shaft on yours? It looks like the length I need.