3 Speed Floor Shift Conversion Issue

[JRenegade_1]

Hello All,

I've recently gotten back into getting my 84 C-10 back on the road - it was gifted to me by my father who acquired it 10+ years ago, but only drove it a handful of times after he was stranded when the column shift linkage failed (don't recall what exactly happened).

I've never driven this truck personally (although i've taken a few rides in it), but a couple of years ago my father and I spent an afternoon converting it to floor shift with a Hurst Mastershift 3 Speed Manual Shifter (purchased new with the correct linkage kit), because I wanted something a little more reliable than the column shift. And, after we installed it, the truck sat some more because my daughter was born the next day.

But here I am, looking to get this baby back on the road! And, my dad and I are now realizing that after we installed the floor shifter, 2nd and 3rd gear (Which on the floor would be over to the right and up for 2nd, and then straight down from there for 3rd) were reversed - meaning, 2nd gear would be where 3rd gear SHOULD be, and vice versa.

I can't for the life of me figure out why that could be. From my father's recollection (which, sometimes isn't the best) the shift pattern on the column was correct (On the column - In toward the driver, up for reverse, straight down for 1st, up and out for 2nd, then down to 3rd). There are only two levers on the transmission, one which controls Reverse and 1st, the other for 2nd and 3rd. Oddly enough, Reverse and 1st gear are catching in the correct pattern.

Has anyone run into this issue before, or have any insight? Could it be we simply installed the floor shifter incorrectly? Or, is it possible that there was / is something reversed inside the transmission all along (say, a previous owner tried to rebuild the transmission, and put 2nd gear where 3rd gear should be...? Can that even happen? Pure speculation here).

Any guidance that could be offered would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Rickf]

Are the linkage ears on the side cover pointed in the proper direction?

 

[JRenegade_1]

Thanks for the input Rick, I appreciate it. I’ll need to get under the truck this weekend and check. I’ll snap some pics and post to this thread.

 

[bucket]

Sounds like one of the linkage levers are installed upside down.

Also, normally what causes the original column shifter to get sloppy, bind up and eventually leave you stuck in one gear, is just a simple adjustment procedure that takes just a few minutes.

 

[JRenegade_1]

Thanks for the insight Bucket. I’m planning to get under the truck tomorrow, to see if I can find something installed upside down and backwards.

 

[bucket]

If you have a helper shift between 2nd and 3rd gears, you can see which lever is moving. Just flip that one to the opposite direction and adjust the rod length to match.

 

[JRenegade_1]

Thanks Rick and Bucket, I appreciate the insight. I got under the truck this evening and sure enough, the lever for 2nd and 3rd gear is upside down.

I’ll have to get that sorted this week. I did take the truck for a spin this evening for the first time (it’s always been towed, or driven by my father) and although the gears were reversed, I have to say it was glorious. I have some more things to sort out, which I plan to comb through these forums for more info, but again, thank you both for your insight.

 

[justhorns]

Here you go, this is what it should look like.. This photo was from new clutch swap, and shows all

 

[mikeoverland]

Thanks for posting the picture of what the linkage should look like. Now to fix my linkage and floor shifter this weekend.

Mike Overland
Leon Springs Tx
owner of the 1981 C10 known as the basket case

 

[Ricko1966]

Here you go, this is what it should look like.. This photo was from new clutch swap, and shows all

Do you have any more pics of that? I have the shifter,new off ebay. No brackets at all. I'll have to make them. Thanks

 

[justhorns]

Here is what I have. Let me know of other angles you want.