Adjusting the column shifter

[timethy]

Hi all,

I have a '74 D-100 pickup with 318 and 3-speed manual column shifter. AKA 3 on the tree! Great fun to drive!

Until it locks up. I usually do one of two things to unlock it: get underneath and jiggle the linkages ... or if its raining bad I'll just pull on the shifter real hard and it will pop into first. Sometimes its fine for weeks ... sometimes it locks up 10 times in one trip. I eventually figured out the shifter sweet spots, but I still lock it up sometimes if I'm sloppy or driving hard and fast.

Does anybody know how to adjust the linkages for smooth shifting? I don't see any obvious adjustment points on the link ends. Is it in the column?

Any help is appreciated :) Thanks!

tim

[4404spd]

Im not sure but I think the bushings and rods are wore out and need to be replaced...

[bherder]

Here, try these on for size....

[Blade Runner]

I'd say dump the column shift and convert it to a floor shift...

[acton mike]

the simple answer is the bushings are baffed

I do not want to hint at my age but I did drive a 55 chevy with a column shift and the linkage would bind up

I was not a gear head at the time and my local garage cobbled up some repairs to the bushings and it worked fine after that

[bherder]

the simple answer is the bushings are baffed

I do not want to hint at my age but I did drive a 55 chevy with a column shift

Hahahaha!! You crack me up! :D :D :D

In other words, are you saying "I drove a 55 Chevy when it was new and not when it was a 'Classic'??" :D :D :D

(Join the club... But even I'm not quite THAT old ;) )

[timethy]

Thanks guys, I will try to track down some fresh bushings.

bherder: Thanks a million, the scanned procedure looks excellent.

blade runner: never!! the tree shifter rocks! :)

[acton mike]

the 55 chevy was not new; it was a cheap used car that I bought used and when the tin worm got to the body it went to the junk yard

I know it is heresy for a dodge owner to say this and I should be burned at the stake but I would suggest that the stovebolt 6 and the three speed transmission would probably still be running today

If I could have known that my old banger was going to become a classic, I would have taken better care of it

[bherder]

If I could have known that my old banger was going to become a classic, I would have taken better care of it

Heh he heh... Tell that to me and the 69' 440 Roadrunner I used to have... ;)

[charlie1935]

If I could have known that my old banger was going to become a classic, I would have taken better care of it

Heh he heh... Tell that to me and the 69' 440 Roadrunner I used to have... ;)
Know what you mean about cars we used to have. I'm like you younger fellows, wish I had kept some of them. :gr_patrio

[Chump]

I'll get the Mopar part numbers for you later.:)
We may also want to look into the bushings on the clutch torque shaft while you are there.

[Chump]

Grommet= 2781444
Bushing= 2781445
Clutch torque shaft bushing= 2265938 Qty4..I believe these are 1/2 round
Clutch torque shaft bushing seal= 2265942 Qty2

[timethy]

I finally changed the shifter bushings and WOW what a difference. The old rubber parts were trash, and the brash bushings were noticeably worn inside. Easy job, 10 minutes pliers and grease. The shifter action is like new again I couldn't be happier!

Thanks everybody :dtrocks:


http://woz.gs/tim/pix/truckbushings1.jpeg

http://woz.gs/tim/pix/truckbushings2.jpeg

http://woz.gs/tim/pix/truckbushings3.jpeg

[acton mike]

every now and then it is nice to come across a repair that is cheap, easy and makes a world of difference

and

I too drove a 55 chevy with a tree shifter that would bind up