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03-29-2013, 01:07 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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3 Speed on the Column
How hard are they to drive ?
I need some advice and what not, because the one im getting has it. 
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-29-2013, 01:20 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,800
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Easy if every thing is adjusted and lubed. You just need to learn the timing and be patient between gears. I was driving them when I was 10 on logging roads.
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1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project |
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03-29-2013, 01:26 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
I can drive a 5 Speed like its nothing.Like can you show me a Diagram like it ?
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-29-2013, 01:33 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Idaho
Posts: 8,800
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
No diagram but easy. Shift pattern is an H. pull towards you and down is first gear. Pull and up is reverse. Spring in the shift mechanism will drop the shifter away and up into second. Third is away and down. After a few runs you will get a feel for the mechanisms sweet spot. Depending on the years of the trans first gear is probably not syncro so you will need to make sure you clutch and wait for the gears to stop spinning inside before shifting into first. Good news is in stock form these trucks had plenty of low end torque to lug around in second gear most of the time, first was just to get launched from a stop. If you get really good, after a while you will be able to shift without the clutch by feathering the throttle. I learned to drive in a variety of non-syncro rigs in the 50's when double clutching and rpm matching was required to keep from grinding gears.
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1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project |
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03-29-2013, 02:18 PM
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#5 |
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67-72 parts collector,…
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,703
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Buy your truck yet?
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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03-29-2013, 06:08 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Trying to get it man
I have $480 in my pocket going to ask my grandmother to loan me $500..I have a commercial grill selling for $800..I can pay her back etc...me and acouple of mechanics are going to get it hopefully saturday or sunday
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-29-2013, 08:28 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Westchester, NY
Posts: 394
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Orrie did a nice job of describing the pattern. I have found each truck has a sweet spot and you have to learn to finesse the shifter a bit when changing gears. I had a 62 that was a real bear to shift and it would often get jammed. Id have to pull over, pop the hood and grab the shifter rods and pull them back into neutral and get in a try again. After a while, I learned how to adjust them and lube them up properly. After that I never had a problem again. I think the column shifter mechanisms on the older trucks are much more robust than the 60-66 series.
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03-29-2013, 08:33 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Yeah I am sure I will get the hang of it soon
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-29-2013, 09:26 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,741
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
I don't think you will have any problem with it if you already can drive a five speed. As the guys said, you have to learn each one's little quirks and how to shift it.
On the older non syncro first/reverse transmissions you can can't shift into first or reverse while the truck is moving or the engine is off idle. You hear some serious gear grinding if you do. It helps you come to a full and complete stop at the stop sign though.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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03-29-2013, 10:32 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Brigham City Utah
Posts: 157
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
A "three on the tree" trans is easy to drive. You will get the hang of it fairly fast.
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03-30-2013, 08:05 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Floyds Knobs, IN
Posts: 430
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
I learned to drive on a "3 on the tree" on my first '70 half ton back in '78. I wish I had that truck back now. I sold it to help pay for a new '79 camaro though. Not bad for an 18 year old kid.
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03-30-2013, 06:47 PM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Thanks guys for the motivations
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-30-2013, 10:39 PM
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#13 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Shasta Lake, CA.
Posts: 1,624
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
A seat belt makes it easier on a Left turn from a stop, especially when that fast moving truck is coming at you.
 Nothing like a slick bench seat and body lean to get your attention.
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Glen & Jane's Rides ‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008 7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers '56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020 ’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020 My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275 |
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03-30-2013, 10:52 PM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
The 59 truck im getting is my grandfathers, he never put seat belts in it
I cant get in trouble for not wearing them cant I ?
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-30-2013, 11:02 PM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,724
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Seatbelts are cheap and your life is worth it .
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03-30-2013, 11:21 PM
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#16 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cactus Patch So. Az
Posts: 4,749
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Quote:
Up Down !! Reverse............Up !!
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53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42 |
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03-30-2013, 11:23 PM
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#17 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Down- 1st
up-2nd Down-3rd To reverse you click it and up right ? How do you get out of Reverse ?
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-30-2013, 11:39 PM
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#18 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cactus Patch So. Az
Posts: 4,749
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Straight down to first. ................... or pause in the middle. Nutrual
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53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42 |
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03-31-2013, 09:42 PM
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#19 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Can anyone Do a video for me to show how to do it ?... Someone that has a 1959 GMC 100 3 speed column
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-31-2013, 10:00 PM
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#20 |
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67-72 parts collector,…
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,703
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Get the truck first,...
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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03-31-2013, 10:09 PM
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#21 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Haha true that man
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1971 GMC Sierra 1959 GMC 100 |
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03-31-2013, 10:54 PM
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#22 | |
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Square
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 1,568
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
Quote:
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Squarebody Syndicate |
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03-31-2013, 10:57 PM
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#23 |
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Square
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 1,568
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
also, your column shifter will act just like a floor shifter. except the reverse location is different
reverse is pulled towards you and up. 1st gear is pulled towards you and down. 2nd gear is away from you and up. 3rd gear is away from you and down. if you already drive stick then it will take you about 1 second to figure it out one thing to keep in mind though, you only enter 1st gear if you are at a complete stop. if you are rolling at all it will grind. so if you are slowly rolling, just start in second.
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Squarebody Syndicate |
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03-31-2013, 10:59 PM
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#24 |
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Square
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Phoenix Arizona
Posts: 1,568
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
oh I forgot, neutral is the same as a floor shifter, its in the middle and will feel the same as a floor shifter. dont sweat it dude, its nothing.
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Squarebody Syndicate |
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03-31-2013, 11:00 PM
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#25 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,989
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Re: 3 Speed on the Column
I watched a video on Youtube and it confused the HELL out of me lol
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