When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You need the bracket and linkage for the cable that bolts to the transmission spindle and you either need to remove your shifter arm from the column, find a floor shift column, of have yours converted. It just depends on how far you want to go with the conversion.
You need the back drive linkage (how you shift the transmission now) hooked up for the reverse lights and neutral safety switch as well as the steering column lock to function properly.
Not that I have seen anywhere. You can buy the linkage piece and bracket from a couple of places online. As far as the column goes, you are in search mode for that.
Not that I have seen anywhere. You can buy the linkage piece and bracket from a couple of places online. As far as the column goes, you are in search mode for that.
Looking for a good used console now. Found refurbished for around $800. Might be my best option. Thanks for your help.
Contact Brian Trick - 507olds on ROP. He does fantastic work and has a few consoles on hand right now ranging from show quality to driver restoration. $800 should get you a show quality console with a show quality shifter. Unless you're talking dual gate, in which case that should be a good to show quality console with a good shifter. If that's just a console, then it better be ready for concours d'elegance.
My '72 was originally a floor shift, but I'm quite certain that at least '71 and '72 column AND floor shift cars came with the same lower steering column, NSS/Reverse switch, and backdrive linkage. You only need to worry about the upper column. If you replace the entire column then need to make sure to get a '71/'72 that has the NSS and backdrive provisions. Mmaybe other years? Note that columns can swap between all the A-bodies. NSS and backdrive changed in '71 and I think all the sibling cars used the same setup. '70 and earlier used a completely different NSS/reverse setup.
The console bolts to the floor with two brackets. Those are readily available from the repop stores and there are threads on here on where to install them. Brian can also sell a package with all the bits.
Also need a shifter, cable, and associated bracketry. The cable mounts directly to the shifter, then there's a bracket on the transmission pan and the shift selector (with backdrive provisions) on the tranny. Those brackets are also readily available from repop houses. Note that most commonly available shifter cables are terrible. The crimps come apart, cable seizes, hard to bend, etc. You may be able to find OEM parts in bags, but I don't have the part numbers. I really like the cables and parts from ShiftWorks (shiftworks.com). You can buy just their cable but probably have to call them. It's adjustable so it is a little more work to get installed and set up.
Contact Brian Trick - 507olds on ROP. He does fantastic work and has a few consoles on hand right now ranging from show quality to driver restoration. $800 should get you a show quality console with a show quality shifter. Unless you're talking dual gate, in which case that should be a good to show quality console with a good shifter. If that's just a console, then it better be ready for concours d'elegance.
My '72 was originally a floor shift, but I'm quite certain that at least '71 and '72 column AND floor shift cars came with the same lower steering column, NSS/Reverse switch, and backdrive linkage. You only need to worry about the upper column. If you replace the entire column then need to make sure to get a '71/'72 that has the NSS and backdrive provisions. Mmaybe other years? Note that columns can swap between all the A-bodies. NSS and backdrive changed in '71 and I think all the sibling cars used the same setup. '70 and earlier used a completely different NSS/reverse setup.
The console bolts to the floor with two brackets. Those are readily available from the repop stores and there are threads on here on where to install them. Brian can also sell a package with all the bits.
Also need a shifter, cable, and associated bracketry. The cable mounts directly to the shifter, then there's a bracket on the transmission pan and the shift selector (with backdrive provisions) on the tranny. Those brackets are also readily available from repop houses. Note that most commonly available shifter cables are terrible. The crimps come apart, cable seizes, hard to bend, etc. You may be able to find OEM parts in bags, but I don't have the part numbers. I really like the cables and parts from ShiftWorks (shiftworks.com). You can buy just their cable but probably have to call them. It's adjustable so it is a little more work to get installed and set up.
Even though in 1970 they have the NNS on the floor shifter, all of the provisions for the column mounted switch are still there as well as the back drive linkage to allow for the steering wheel lock to function.
Contact Brian Trick - 507olds on ROP. He does fantastic work and has a few consoles on hand right now ranging from show quality to driver restoration. $800 should get you a show quality console with a show quality shifter. Unless you're talking dual gate, in which case that should be a good to show quality console with a good shifter. If that's just a console, then it better be ready for concours d'elegance.
My '72 was originally a floor shift, but I'm quite certain that at least '71 and '72 column AND floor shift cars came with the same lower steering column, NSS/Reverse switch, and backdrive linkage. You only need to worry about the upper column. If you replace the entire column then need to make sure to get a '71/'72 that has the NSS and backdrive provisions. Mmaybe other years? Note that columns can swap between all the A-bodies. NSS and backdrive changed in '71 and I think all the sibling cars used the same setup. '70 and earlier used a completely different NSS/reverse setup.
The console bolts to the floor with two brackets. Those are readily available from the repop stores and there are threads on here on where to install them. Brian can also sell a package with all the bits.
Also need a shifter, cable, and associated bracketry. The cable mounts directly to the shifter, then there's a bracket on the transmission pan and the shift selector (with backdrive provisions) on the tranny. Those brackets are also readily available from repop houses. Note that most commonly available shifter cables are terrible. The crimps come apart, cable seizes, hard to bend, etc. You may be able to find OEM parts in bags, but I don't have the part numbers. I really like the cables and parts from ShiftWorks (shiftworks.com). You can buy just their cable but probably have to call them. It's adjustable so it is a little more work to get installed and set up.
Awesome. From the research I've done so far it doesn't seem to be a difficult transition. Just a matter of smart shopping. Thanks for your help
You need the bracket and linkage for the cable that bolts to the transmission spindle and you either need to remove your shifter arm from the column, find a floor shift column, of have yours converted. It just depends on how far you want to go with the conversion.
You need the back drive linkage (how you shift the transmission now) hooked up for the reverse lights and neutral safety switch as well as the steering column lock to function properly.
My 72 was converted from column to floor
Do I still need to have that colum linkage/rod attached? It is really loose and doesn't always rotate enough.
My 72 was converted from column to floor
Do I still need to have that colum linkage/rod attached? It is really loose and doesn't always rotate enough.
Thanks
Rob
I know this is correct for '72, and I'm 90% confident '71 was the same:
You need the backdrive to turn the upper part of the column - right by the steering wheel. There's a stepped notch inside there that blocks the ignition key from turning. It's an extra neutral safety start measure - only allows cranking the engine in park and neutral . The backdrive turns that sleeve by turning an internal barrel which also moves the wiper switch mounted at the base of the column. The wiper switch is an electrical neutral safety switch.
That bottom switch also does the reverse lights.
You'll need the backdrive working for all those functions, or you can come up with some work arounds.
Of course, a wide variety of strange things may have happened to your car over the years. I feel sorry for whoever will have my car after I'm gone - everything has been wildly modified.
I know this is correct for '72, and I'm 90% confident '71 was the same:
You need the backdrive to turn the upper part of the column - right by the steering wheel. There's a stepped notch inside there that blocks the ignition key from turning. It's an extra neutral safety start measure - only allows cranking the engine in park and neutral . The backdrive turns that sleeve by turning an internal barrel which also moves the wiper switch mounted at the base of the column. The wiper switch is an electrical neutral safety switch.
That bottom switch also does the reverse lights.
You'll need the backdrive working for all those functions, or you can come up with some work arounds.
Of course, a wide variety of strange things may have happened to your car over the years. I feel sorry for whoever will have my car after I'm gone - everything has been wildly modified.
OK THANK YOU!
My linkage is so loose that it doesnt always rotate far enough, so sometimes it acts like its dead. then i turn the base of the column and it works perfect.
do you know if they make a bushings kit or somehow to adjust that linkage so its tighter?
I have considered doing this myself at times. It's a bit of a project but most of the parts come up for sale here. You will also need a speedometer as the column shift one has the gear selection indicator letters.
Rebuilt floor shift steering columns are fairly easy to find online - NPD (national parts depot) carries them and there are independent builders whom sell them directly as well (both within their own websites and occasionally thru Ebay)
They've gotten much pricier in the last few years though - now ranging minimum $500 and up from what I've seen.
Don't forget to get the console wiring harness as well when shopping to source all your bracketry and linkages. And might want to change your speedo cable at that point if still original to the car, since all will essentially be apart anyway.
Here's what I did on my '72 - added factory console and buckets but kept the column shift - had the custom top plate made by H&H.
Last edited by 70sgeek; July 17th, 2023 at 12:28 PM.
OK THANK YOU!
My linkage is so loose that it doesnt always rotate far enough, so sometimes it acts like its dead. then i turn the base of the column and it works perfect.
do you know if they make a bushings kit or somehow to adjust that linkage so its tighter?
thanks
rob
You'll need to see where the slop actually is. There's a Z-bar (quite a lot like a clutch bar) that runs from the trans to the column. The bar hooks onto the ears on the top of the trans shift linkage which can be worn out. There's a bracket bolted to the frame with a spring and plastic bushing that guides the bar. That bushing often falls apart and last I checked (15 years ago??) it was available from the specialist places like Fusick. The upper end of the bar hooks into a ear coming off the lower column with another plastic bushing, which I think used to be available.
June 21st, 2016, 04:29 PM
