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Hi, I Have questions about a normal automatic shift. To replace it with his and her shifter.
Is it easily done?
Is there parts place to purchase?
Can I do it myself or does a transmission shop have to do it?
Does the automatic transmission have to be replaced?
It's a simple, straight-forward swap. You need the shifter, the cable, and the top plate. I am unsure about the neutral safety switch on your car, though, as the factory 1970 DG setup used a special switch compared to the regular console shift setup. Someone with more info will have to give details for that.
The underside of the console has molded in lines where it is to be cut to open the hole for the shifter. If you use some type of saw or cutoff wheel, use a slow cutting speed as the plastic will melt with a fast blade speed.
I used the column mounted neutral safety switch since my car was originally a column shift. That may be easier and cheaper then finding the correct switch. As long as your back drive linkage is installed and adjusted correctly it will work as that’s what 71-72 used exclusively. If you buy the complete shifter from the parts place it comes with the cable, brackets and top plate for $600. You would still need the console chrome insert with wood grain because those are different too. I went with the the metal backed woodgrain from H&H Classic over the sticker the parts place used. This should help you cutting your console.
Thank you for both responses. I’m looking at a original counsel that has his and hers slots already. You are correct though with the safety neutral switch. I wouldn’t know where to start with that?
There are guys on here selling correct 1970 restored consoles with the right dualgate. Post in parts wanted or scroll thru the parts for sale, you'll find a few to choose from
Like 4speed455 said, If your car still has all it's back-drive parts & they work you can leave your your column mounted neutral safety/reverse switch right where it is & it will work just fine. The lever on the trans & the bracket that holds the cable to the trans are the same on either shifter. I did the dual-gate conversion on my buddy's '70 W31 a couple of years ago it works great. We left the factory switch on the steering column. One thing I did find & others have had the same problem, is getting enough adjustment on the shift cable (it'll go into park but it wont go in low or vise-versa) After some trial & error I found that redrilling hole in the repop shift cable closer to the end took care of it. Hope this helps
Many dual-gates shifters were produced, the shifters used for Oldsmobile were used in other applications. The mounting hardware attached to the shifter is what made it specifically for the 70-72 cutlass console. I’m not sure the hurst olds used the same shifter or hardware, so buy the correct one. The hardware (at transmission) and shift cable could be a guessing game unless someone out there could throw you some part numbers which would be great.
Now for me I went from a standard auto. Floor shifter to a Hurst dual gate plus changed out to a 700-r4 transmission. So we went from Park, reverse, neutral, drive, 2, 1 to Park, reverse, neutral, overdrive, drive, 2, 1,. Which calls for more range from the dual-gate. I Did Some reading on this conversion and read it could be done, but would have to buy an aftermarket shifter. Did more research and found out about a co. called shift works which sells conversion kits for all kinds of muscle car shirfters to convert them from 3 to 4 speed automatics. So back to you, I would contact them and I’m sure they will sell you everything you need without guessing, and you will keep your ignition/column shift lock. https://shiftworks.com/ Good Luck! Oldsmobilejim
Last edited by oldsmobilejim; Mar 26, 2020 at 06:36 PM.
Correct, but when switching from a regular floor shift to a Dual Gate on his 1970 car he can use the existing neutral safety switch setup.
Not just quite.. The standard floor shift nss has a different linkage arm than the dual gate. One has a joggle to the left while the other is to the right. The wiring connector is typical, but you would need a dual gate specific switch.
standard shifter switch
Dual gate version
Last edited by Funkwagon455; Mar 28, 2020 at 06:09 AM.
OK, thanks for the info. My 70 came with a Dual Gate then my second car was the 71 with the "universal" column mounted switch, so my knowledge of the 70 standard floor shift is limited.
I think the dual gate switch is Delco Remy part # 9963. I got lucky and Eric Jensen had a NOS one for me and Patton Glade fabricated the linkage for it.
