69 FJ55 3 on the tree

[romegadave]

Hi everyone--I'm new and have a few questions--got a 69 FJ55--lots of issues (and still not running) but want to know your thoughts. Do a lot of folks change the column shifter to the floor on these 3 speeds. Difficult? When I get it going I want to make a change from this wobbler to something that will not fall out on me. Not changing to a 4 speed just going to stay with the 3 speed tranny--many thanks for your thoughts--

 

[Poser]

Welcome.


I like having the floor open, and I would fix the column shift and run it.


But that is just me.


It is not hard to change over...

 

[n2666s]

in other countries where the 55 was used to haul workers to the "fields" in remote mountain areas such as coffee plantations the open front seat was an advantage as you then had a 6 seat vehicle............

Lou

 

[snailwagon]

I have a 69fj55 that came with three on the tree. I really like the column shifter. It clears your floorboard space and keeps your shifting hand closer to the steering wheel. However, I really hate a non-synchronized 3 speed transmission. All that is really involved is to swap the top plates and cut a hole in the trans hump. You don't have to pull the trans, just remove the trans hump cover. I went with a 4 speed tranny, which is light years ahead of the 3spd in comfort (and a bit ahead in deepness of gearing).

I'd sell you a downey top-shift conversion for cheap if you'd like (PM me if interested), but if you are going to keep the three speed I don't see the need either. On mine, the play was in those little ball joints on the linkage a little. The biggest amount of play was from where the column shift mounts to the column behind the steering wheel.

 

[65swb45]

....

On mine, the play was in those little ball joints on the linkage a little. The biggest amount of play was from where the column shift mounts to the column behind the steering wheel.

x2 on that. With patience, the linkage can be made very secure.

Another advantage that neither of the previous gentlemen noted is that the 3 on the tree makes it easier to keep your woman by your side, whereas the 'novelty' for you of reaching between her legs for the floorshift will not 'grow' on her!;p

Best

Mark A.

 

[Strangelove]

Keep the column shift. 1.) It's cool. 2.) It's a minor form of anti-theft since less and less people can drive it.

As for the lack of 1st gear synchro? I say "synchro-schmynchro". There's nothing like down shifting ito first at anything above a stop. The offical description of that shift is called "granching" due to the sound it makes: graaanch.