floor shifter, f-100

[flathead 53]

has anyone installed a floor shift linkage 3 speed in a 53/56 ford f-100,if so what did you use hurst ?

[Ross F-1]

Haven't done it myself but lots of people have done it over the years on the side-shifter trannies. Back in the 60's there were many options, Hurst, SparkOMatic, etc. The Hurst is still available today. From what I've read the Hurst is the only one worth bothering with.

[D. Jones]

I haven't done one in a pickup but had one in a coupe. I couldn't afford a Hurst so bought another cheaper one, it worked fine. I still have it somewhere. Shouldn't be difficult to do if you can find a shifter.

[JSeery]

Those were the days! First thing I did to every car I was around, install a floor shifter.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Those were the days! First thing I did to every car I was around, install a floor shifter.

OMG YES! Foxcraft, Spark-O-Matic, or ultimately a Hurst Mystery Shifter.......they SEEMINGLY made ya think you had added at least another 100 horsepower. DD

[cmbrucew]

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There were a few different home brew shifters around that varied from" not too bad" to "it works".
Bruce

[scooder]

One issue with doing this to a pickumup is shifter length. If you fit a regular Hurst shifter for a car application, the stick is a ways down in front and quite close to the front of the seat. Extending only the shifter, you get a long throw from reverse to first or second to high.
Hurst used to make shifters for truck applications, these have a much longer (stock pickup length) shifter AND longer shift arms below. This keeps the shifts throw in check.
Don't know if they still make um, I have one for a four speed side shift trans, it looks scaled up compared to my regular mystery shifter. It's got the flat stock push in and hidden clip type of stick, rather than the screwed down collar with a round stock stick. Which makes it newer, so maybe available. My one came off the Ford four speed overdrive, with the fourth gear being overdrive side shift, with the flipped third/high shift arm on the trans. Earlier than the four speed overdrive that has a shift tower.
Have a schmooze around trucky type folk they may have what you need in their "might come in handy one day" pile.
Mines no good to you as I'm on the other side of the pond unfortunately.
Martin.

[scooder]

Sorry for waffling, didn't realise the length of my post.
Still forgot a bit though. Hurst is still the only player, there just plain good, my mystery shifter is from the mid 60's and bin beat on since then, it's a bit rattly now, still won't jamb between gears link the other brands did, sometimes from new.
Martin.

[scrapiron]

I used a "BRAND X will fit " on my '56 panel years ago, had to rig a mount because of no tailshaft. Ended up with a backwards shift pattern, but it worked great.

[flathead 53]

the problem with a floor shifter on a 53/56 f-100 is that there is a clutch support bracket that goes to the transmission ,i guess this is why hurst does not list a kit for these trucks

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

OMG YES! Foxcraft, Spark-O-Matic, or ultimately a Hurst Mystery Shifter.......they SEEMINGLY made ya think you had added at least another 100 horsepower. DD

The first one I put in was on my second car. '68 Fairlane, 200ci two door. Thought I was a real racer. Then my mother informed me that when she started driving cars only had floor shifters and I wasn't such a big deal......Mark

[TStiles]

in the mid-70's I scored a 289 engine and transmission from a totaled AC Cobra and installed them in a '53 pickup. The shifter was WAY too short, but I didn't care. The truck went like stink. Too much fun...

[George/Maine]

The nicest floor shift trans I have seen is the 3 speed withOD in a 1986 ford f150 they came in vans also. I think you would find the Chevy trans shifter easier to find .
Speedway has this adaptor to Chevy trans

5605173

Over drive would be better then 3 speed.

[corvette8n]

I've used Mr Gasket brand to replace worn column shift linkage, but not in a truck.

[Ross F-1]

Good point about the truck's clutch bracket, but I've seen where guys have Hursts in their 53-56 trucks. I also see they don't seem to be making them any more.