It aint easy or cheap. There are a couple of pieces of the automatic shifter linkage that are sometimes missing and nearly impossible to buy separately.
The OEM console is about worthless too. No cup holders, no arm rest, possibly a push button door release that often fails, definitely more trouble than its worth.
If you really want a shifter than looks like a shower fixture sticking through the floor, you're not the first.
This post comes from a guy who has been there done that and even produced the console brackets and a locating template for others to buy/use.
Its going to cost you $500.00
and a couple days labor
It aint easy or cheap. There are a couple of pieces of the automatic shifter linkage that are sometimes missing and nearly impossible to buy separately.
The OEM console is about worthless too. No cup holders, no arm rest, possibly a push button door release that often fails, definitely more trouble than its worth.
If you really want a shifter than looks like a shower fixture sticking through the floor, you're not the first.
This post comes from a guy who has been there done that and even produced the console brackets and a locating template for others to buy/use.
Like so many other things in this hobby - it can be done on a budget, or you can break the bank - up to you. For a non correct, not "as the factory built it" car do the following;Retain your original steering column - simply drive out the pin to remove the gear shift lever and remove the various bits of linkage from the bottom of the column to the transmission.Remove your carpet and seat(s). Obviously, you will need buckets to make the console work. If you do not already have, or cannot afford factory style buckets, go to your local wrecking yard and find some that suit your style, take your time and be smart about it, be sure they are properly installed into your car. Some fabrication skills may be required here.Locate and buy a console, shifter, brackets and associated linkage. Somebody parting out a car is your best bet - you can get it all in one spot.The point in the floor where the down rod goes through is already there in your car, it appears as a raised circular area on your floor pan, to the right of the drivers foot on the trans hump. Cut a round hole through it. If I recall correctly there are also 3 dimples where you will drill 1/8" or so holes for the 3 screws that hold down the boot.locate the position of the brackets (take measurements from the parts car before removing them, or ask someone on the board here to measure theirs) and either weld, or rivet / screw (yes, this is a little "hacky" but works) the brackets to the floor.Cut your carpet to fit around the brackets and down rod, install the linkage , shifter and console. Adjust the shift linkage as per the FSM and you are done.I personally have done this 3 times, 2 on two doors, once on a four door with a couple of evenings work. Like everything else with old cars - have all the required pieces on hand, be prepared, take your time and think about what you are doing. The one in the pics was converted from a column shift / bench seat, using parts from a parts car, to buckets / auto console, and then later the auto console was converted to a 4 speed by cutting and modifying the top plate.
To fully convert from Bench Seat, Column Auto.......to OEM Bucket Seat/Console Auto..... With NO PARTS Car is roughly: $350-400 steering column $400 bucket seat cores, with tracks $400 for Bucket Seat Covers $200-250 for a NICE Console $150 for a NICE shifter Assembly $150 for console brackets $150 for linkages and someone to cut the floor for the linkages, weld the brackets to the floor,.... .. a week of WORK ....start - finish. And to resay what has been said.....I wouldnt change a car over if it came with Bench/Column Auto,......unless I HAD to.
Dont forget about the elusive lower rod !!!
:blob:I changed mine over - not a big deal except for gathering the parts takes time unless you get a package deal. If you go factory, be careful about positioning your console brackets. I also cut off the column shift lever mounting nub and gear indicator. If you are building on a budget or not concerned about originality, I would recommend going to non-original parts. I used the original style console and shifter, but if I was to do it again, I would go with a late model console and aftermarket shifter. I got my seats (98 Explorer Eddie Bauer) for $50 on Craigslist. Already said - the new console could at least have armrests and cupholders. Famous Bob advertised a 69 B'cuda shifter knob for shipping cost only - I got it, painted it, and installed it. Thanks, Bob! BTW Bob - got any pictures of the ashtray conversion as cupholder. I was thinking of doing that to mine. I would be interested in what you did.
:blob:
don`t have pics at this time. installing the t/a cheeta shifter in the stock location was the hardest for me. the cupholder can be bought at a boat store, I deleted the ash try for it, as no one will smoke in my cars. have never had any trouble w/ a factory console lid and push button. the console brackets need to be welded to the floor in the right location ( or pretty close, and leveled correctly), I guess a person could pop rivet them too.
if you watch long enough, you can find the parts on here or ebay w/o paying someones rape charges, there are many on here that are way overpricing this stuff-be patient.:coffee2:
I mounted a Hurst promatic-2 shifter, inside a factory console, tossed the factory top plates for the console and made my own new top plate, complete with cup holders. Made my own console mounts cause this car was column shift originally. Also modified the collers on my steering column so that it looks like a factory floor shift car.