Replacement options: 3 speed column shift

[NewBlueTruck]

I want to replace my '72 3.03 transmission with a '73 or later but want to maintain the column shift. Can I do this? Would it be a direct fit or will I have problems?

The reason for the swap is because my mechanic told me that the transmissions made in '73 had an access panel for the shift linkage and the '72 does not. My shift linkage is currently leaking and will cost $680 to replace.

Are there any other benefits to selecting a specific model year? Did ford ever offer a 4 speed column shift transmission?

[fordman]

for 680 dollars i could replace those seal myself. no stock four speed transmissions for a truck. but if you wanted to modify some stuff anything can fit and work.

[uboughtwhat?]

There were stock 4 speed trannys available, but all are floor shift.

Jeff

[craftsman]

The 303 trans shifters should be the same as your 72, i have a 76 3.03 and a 68 3.03 and the only difference i see is the 76 tailhousing is longer and has a slip yoke. The 4 speeds were only floor shifted.

[craftsman]

The 303 trans shifters should be the same as your 72, i have a 76 3.03 and a 68 3.03 and the only difference i see is the 76 tailhousing is longer and has a slip yoke. The 4 speeds were only floor shifted.

[craftsman]

The 303 trans shifters should be the same as your 72, i have a 76 3.03 and a 68 3.03 and the only difference i see is the 76 tailhousing is longer and has a slip yoke. The 4 speeds were only floor shifted.

I hate when that happens

[Banjo]

I have seen stock 3 speed manual trans shifters bolted to 4 speed manual transmissions in the past. Reverse becomes 1st, 1st becomes 2nd, 2nd becomes 3rd, 3rd becomes 4th. Now, you cannot shift into reverse using stock column shift. I have seen guys drill a hole in floorpan and mount an arm or lever where they can bend down or reach down and put in and out of reverse. While this sounds crazy, how big of a hurry do you have to be in to put into reverse? I haven't seen this in 25 years, and nowadays with hydraulic this and that and door poppers and all kinds of newer things, I imagine it wouldn't be hard to figure out some electronic or hydraulic want to move that reverse tab on trans with some fab skills?? Just a thought. You still wouldn't be able to powershift or grab 3rd in a hurry due to that column shift wobble over to different area, BUT it would look stock. Banjo.

[NewBlueTruck]

What exactly does that do to the install by having a longer tailhousing and a slip yoke? Will I need to fabricate anything? If so, I'll probably just stick with a '72.

[fordman]

if you have a longer tail shaft you would need a shorter driveshaft.

[willowbilly3]

There were econolines with a coulmn mounted 4 speed but I never actually crawled around on one.
Here is an off the wall idea; get a side shift 4 speed/overdrive toploader. Use the H pattern on the column for the 4 forward speeds and a marine cable to shift reverse.

[Banjo]

I have only seen it done on Chevy trucks (old ones), but can't recall if they used a marine cable or what to access reverse. I'm thinking the guy had built him a lever and had a cutout on the floorpan kinda under the front of his bench seat to move forward and back to access in and out of reverse. I recall thinking pretty neat. But, nowadays, with hydraulically controlled this and that becoming more popular and available through street rodding vendors, I'm sure it wouldn't take alot. Banjo