Hi folks, i'm new here and need some advice. I have a 72 Malibu, and am replacing almost everything. My questions is, has anybody moved the shifter from column to floor/console with a stock horseshoe shifter? I bought the entire console/shifter kit from OPGI, and need to know about cutting holes in the floor and linkage to use?
72 Malibu, Colomn to Console Shift Mod
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My car came as a stock floor shift car but if this is of any help....
You will need to bore a good size hole in the floor for the trans cable to run thru. On factory cars there was a hole already in the floor. I think mine was around 1 1/2 inch size and had an oversized rubber grommet. Does your kit have this? If not you could probably go much smaller.
Shifter linkage, mine did have a linkage that connected the trans to the column so when the shifter was moved it would activate the column so the theft lock would work.
Funny but when I bought my car the shift cable broke and for awhile I have to actually grab the coumn and shift by rotating it.
Not sure if the linkage is the same as a typical auto trans column or not, would like to hear from anyone who can verify this.
Keep in mind when and if you convert your car to floor shift you will probably want to run your neutral safety switch/reverse lamp wires to the switches on the new shifter.
You will need to bore a good size hole in the floor for the trans cable to run thru. On factory cars there was a hole already in the floor. I think mine was around 1 1/2 inch size and had an oversized rubber grommet. Does your kit have this? If not you could probably go much smaller.
Shifter linkage, mine did have a linkage that connected the trans to the column so when the shifter was moved it would activate the column so the theft lock would work.
Funny but when I bought my car the shift cable broke and for awhile I have to actually grab the coumn and shift by rotating it.
Not sure if the linkage is the same as a typical auto trans column or not, would like to hear from anyone who can verify this.
Keep in mind when and if you convert your car to floor shift you will probably want to run your neutral safety switch/reverse lamp wires to the switches on the new shifter.
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Mike - I sent you several files via email that cover this conversion. I think these will answer all your questions...
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There's no cut out that I know of.
My car had a hole in the center of the trans tunnel, about 2 inches wide, filled by a huge grommet where the cable went thru. Keep in mind my car came from the factory like this as it was a factory production floor shifted car. With a column shift I doubt you're going to have anything but a solid floor.
The linkage is hard metal linkage.
Same thing happened to me baaaack in the day when I was in high school, driving my brother's 71 camaro Z... those horse-shoe shifters are a PITA to work on if memory serves me.
Im going to want to convert to floor shift soon... could I get those files I heard about as well? Id much appreciate it if possible.
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Would make for a great theft deterrant, then leave the shifter in the floor not attached to the tranny but yet attached to a switch to shock the crap out of the would be theif!
The 1-1/2" hole for the cable can be drilled on a flat spot to the left of the trans hump that is provided. There will be 3 small dents surrounding it which are where the cable will be screwed to the floor. The shifter should also line up with several dents on the floor for mounting bolts and nutserts.
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70ChevelleRagtop - Please send your instructions to me as well via e-mail. I'm planning to convert the the bench set to bucket seats and go with horseshoe floor shifter as well in my 69 Chevelle. Thanks!
[email protected]
[email protected]
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All you guys who asked, you now have mail...
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Could you please send me the info on the column to console switch and any info on bench to power bucket conversion. I already have the power tracks. Thanks, Jim.
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