Making a four-on-the-tree, has anyone tried this?
- Thread starter halfafish
- Start date
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See post #11 as to why. Also, I think it would be uber-cool as a stealth 4-speed. To update, I'm going to try this with a cable operated reverse, routed through the firewall and then to a lever or handle tucked up under the dash. I agree with the suggestions it would be super simple to do a small handle on the floor, but this is a bench seat and I don't like the idea of a hole in the floor. It rains a lot up here and I don't want any leaks.
DionR
Well-Known Member
I like it!! Always like the idea of a bolt-action shifter.
Can't see doing this to eek out the most performance, but I could see doing it just for the cool factor.
Can't see doing this to eek out the most performance, but I could see doing it just for the cool factor.
Coolvibes
Well-Known Member
Has anyone actually done this on an A-body, using the three-on-the-tree column and shift levers on a 833 four speed gearbox? If yes, please provide some details.
mygasser
Well-Known Member
we did it to a mates english '59 ford zephyr, swapped out the 3 speed for a 4 speed. 1st 'was' below reverse on the column shift pattern so we switched rods around to work gears 1-4. then turned the reverse lever on the trans horizontal and added an upright reverse rod (through a grommet in the tunnel) with a small round knob. his car was a bench seat car too and the knob was close to the bench so out of the way. we made it so you had to lift it to engage reverse so you couldn't accidentally select it. it all worked fine.
neil.
It's been a while since I posted this so the details are a bit fuzzy. But I was in contact with a member (must have been on a PM) who did this. The report was it's really pretty easy and straight-forward. The linkage from the three speed translates pretty well to the four speed. Some fiddling was needed for length and shape of the shifter rods but nothing like reinventing the wheel.
I got a heavy duty cable, like for a PTO, for the reverse gear and some kind of 90* lever handle to operate it. It's all still sitting in the "to be installed" pile but I'm thinking it will be relatively simple. Haha, like mods on anything this old is simple.
GunslingerFIN
Well-Known Member
Did you ever end up doing this? I'm currently thinking about this exactly same thing for my -65 Valiant and just stumbled upon this thread while looking for more info!
Zach, I think it's time to move this from the "to be installed pile" and move it to the "install now pile". lol
GunslingerFIN
Well-Known Member
Naturally if anyone else has done this, I'd be really interested in all the info and tips available! I have seen mentions about old threads related to this, but could not find them. Maybe they are gone, maybe I just cannot guess correct keywords for search 
Oh and Zach, I don't remember if it's been mentioned, BUT if your floorpan is the same as mine (64 Valiant), and I think it is, you will need to enlarge the tunnel around the transmission. I don't know if you're aware of that or not. The A230 transmission would not even fit in Vixen, much less a four speed.
So far, no I haven't. It seems the harder I try to make progress on the 66, the further away it gets. It will happen, though. If I can't figure out the shifter on the tree business I'll just go to a floor shift and call it a day.
I'm pretty sure the two floor pans are the same, or essentially so. I was hoping not to have to go hammering/cutting/welding on my floor since this is a survivor car but if it will have to be done to get a 4-speed in there so be it. The A903 in there is really tired and the non-synchro first gear is a deal killer.
It has to be done. I've tried it. It sucks. This is the only reason I've not started the five speed swap on Vixen. I caint bring myself to do it. .......but it's comin. LOL
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
They actually had 4 0n the tree cars but Ive never seen one I think it was late 50s early 60s. Anyway maybe you could find a shop manual and pics to fab a linkage.
1WildRT
Well-Known Member
As mentioned earlier Mercedes built cars in the late 60's with a 4 speed on the column... I drove a customers Mercedes with the 4 Spd in 77, odd but cool & it worked fine...
1st, 2nd. 3rd & 4th were the standard H. pattern, Reverse was locked out, you had to pull the shift handle out (toward the passenger) in order to reach the reverse gate, then shove the shift handle toward the dash and up to reach reverse...
1st, 2nd. 3rd & 4th were the standard H. pattern, Reverse was locked out, you had to pull the shift handle out (toward the passenger) in order to reach the reverse gate, then shove the shift handle toward the dash and up to reach reverse...
See post #7.
TylerW
Well-Known Member
Rise from your grave, old thread. You shall live again. It's Brand F, but I just watched a YT video where a guy installed a Top loader 4 speed behind a 300 six cylinder in one of those 60's Ford Econoline vans. He retained the column shifter, but the H-pattern was strange...1st was up and left, 2nd was left and down, 3rd was right and down and 4th was up and right. Where was reverse, you might ask. He installed a fore and aft floor shifter (no side to side) that shifted reverse in and out only. like something you would see on a 4 wheeler or whatever.
my 60 autounion 3=6 is 4 on the tree,had a hillman minx that was 4 on the tree too it was backwards 4th was away from dash
See my posted video on page one of this thread. Ford did it from the factory.
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