New Shift Lever Won't Fit

[ajgriffin]

So my truck has has a B&M floor shifter in it since I've owned it and I decided I want to switch back to the column shifter. The column is a standard, non-tilt column.

I picked up a new lever from Classic Industries for a 69 and....it doesn't fit. Checked the levers for a 67-68 and a 71-72 while I was at Classic and those didn't fit either. I got the truck from my Dad who's with the Lord now so I can't ask him, asked the previous owner if they changed the column and they didn't remember swapping it out so I don't know what else to do.

I snapped some photos of it so you can see what I'm talking about. Any ideas what I should try next?

[pjmoreland]

There's a review of that shift lever on classicindustries.com that says the pivot hole didn't line up and had to be modified to get it to work.

[ajgriffin]

Got it - so try a different vendor. Easy enough 👍🏾

Anyone have success with a specific vendor so I can save on return shipping costs?

[pjmoreland]

I recommend trying to find an original.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I recommend trying to find an original.

Yup. More than likely "another vendor" is going to be selling the exact same one you already have, just rebranded. It's the folly of aftermarket parts. About 70% of them need to be modified to fit correctly.

Gary

[Stanco]

I had the exact same problem with a new shift lever. My solution was to grind a slight amount of material off the ball end of the lever. I used a bench grinder.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I recommend trying to find an original.

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

Got it - so try a different vendor. Easy enough ����

Anyone have success with a specific vendor so I can save on return shipping costs?

ajgriffin, if you want to get it right with one more order and decide on locating an OE used or GM NOS shift lever for your column, feel free to drop us a message in the below linked steering column parts board f/s thread. We have a large group of original steering columns for parts pulled and stored along with several shelved bins of OE used, GM NOS and new repro replacement column parts on hand ready to ship out. Let us know, Mel


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=838093

.

[Accelo]

Sometimes, I try to imagine what it would be like if GM products looked like our aftermarket stuff during assembly. It would be laughable with an output of two trucks a day.
That said, the crappy aftermarket stuff is getting and keeping many of our old trucks on the road.
It's a yin and yang thing.
On the other end, how difficult could it be to make one exactly like the OEM part? They are close, but not quite there.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Accelo

Sometimes, I try to imagine what it would be like if GM products looked like our aftermarket stuff during assembly. It would be laughable with an output of two trucks a day.
That said, the crappy aftermarket stuff is getting and keeping many of our old trucks on the road.
It's a yin and yang thing.
On the other end, how difficult could it be to make one exactly like the OEM part? They are close, but not quite there.

I have always said that it doesn't cost any more to make it right than it does to make it wrong.....

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by Stanco

I had the exact same problem with a new shift lever. My solution was to grind a slight amount of material off the ball end of the lever. I used a bench grinder.

I did the same.

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I have always said that it doesn't cost any more to make it right than it does to make it wrong.....

That's a fact!

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

So my truck has has a B&M floor shifter in it since I've owned it and I decided I want to switch back to the column shifter. The column is a standard, non-tilt column.

I picked up a new lever from Classic Industries for a 69 and....it doesn't fit. Checked the levers for a 67-68 and a 71-72 while I was at Classic and those didn't fit either. I got the truck from my Dad who's with the Lord now so I can't ask him, asked the previous owner if they changed the column and they didn't remember swapping it out so I don't know what else to do.

I snapped some photos of it so you can see what I'm talking about. Any ideas what I should try next?

I've been dealing with Classic Industries for a few years and I've had occasion to return something only a time or two.. I've never had to pay return shipping with them..

If, indeed your do have to pay for return shipping, you're dealing with the wrong vendor/supplier. Summit has a return policy where they provide a return shipping label complete with tracking number.. It's emailed to the customer, printed out and attached to the package.. activation of the tracking number is proof enough for Summit to either issue a refund or ship a replacement...

[ajgriffin]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

I've been dealing with Classic Industries for a few years and I've had occasion to return something only a time or two.. I've never had to pay return shipping with them..

If, indeed your do have to pay for return shipping, you're dealing with the wrong vendor/supplier. Summit has a return policy where they provide a return shipping label complete with tracking number.. It's emailed to the customer, printed out and attached to the package.. activation of the tracking number is proof enough for Summit to either issue a refund or ship a replacement...

I live driving distance from Classic Industries so I picked one up when I was down that way recently. Return shipping probably would have been easier than the 1 hour round trip drive

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

I live driving distance from Classic Industries so I picked one up when I was down that way recently. Return shipping probably would have been easier than the 1 hour round trip drive

There are exceptions to every case, but having to pay for return shipping on a wrong or ill-fitting part is very poor customer service.