3 on the tree shift pattern

[mantis]

Ok, I got the 45 running great, the brakes working, and an EZwiring harness on the way. I was going to take it on it's maiden voyage last night, but have no idea what the shift pattern is. I did a couple searches, but came up empty.

So, someone school me on the shift pattern for the 3 on the tree, so I feel safe taking it out of the garage (or at least save me from putting it through the back of the garage).

[jtaco1]

Towards you and up is Reverse, Towards you and Down is First, Away from you and Up is Second, and Away from you and Down is Third. Just think of the 3 speed pattern turned vertical with the column. Hope that made some sense.

JT

[mantis]

Originally Posted by jtaco1

Towards you and up is Reverse, Towards you and Down is First, Away from you and Up is Second, and Away from you and Down is Third. Just think of the 3 speed pattern turned vertical with the column. Hope that made some sense.

JT

Thanks. That's exactly what I needed. I'll go play in the street tonight and see how many neighbors I can make shake their heads at me.

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Look at the glovebox! Just kiddin, if ya don't have a glovebox to look at I feel for ya..
you'll get used to the column shift pretty quick. Wheeling with one is way different but fun!

[jtaco1]

Originally Posted by mantis

Thanks. That's exactly what I needed. I'll go play in the street tonight and see how many neighbors I can make shake their heads at me.

No problem, It takes a little bit to get used to, at least I did in my 1971. I can't imagine wheeling with it, that's what the Tacoma is for.

Later

[65SWB45]

That's not why they'll be shaking their heads!

That shortbus is gonna be reported as a UYO sighting to the local authorities!

Don't let jtaco1 worry you; 45lwbs wheel just fine. I've had mine out on the trails several times this year.

[glfredrick]

Originally Posted by jtaco1

Towards you and up is Reverse, Towards you and Down is First, Away from you and Up is Second, and Away from you and Down is Third. Just think of the 3 speed pattern turned vertical with the column. Hope that made some sense.JT

^^^^^ That' s what they all typically are... Don't know about strange or imported stuff - but every thing I've ever driven with a 3 on the tree has that pattern...

One of my Chevelles even had that transmission and shifter - you would be suprised just how fast it can be rowed when a person wants to...

[jtaco1]

Originally Posted by 65SWB45

That's not why they'll be shaking their heads!

That shortbus is gonna be reported as a UYO sighting to the local authorities!

Don't let jtaco1 worry you; 45lwbs wheel just fine. I've had mine out on the trails several times this year.

I wasn't trying to worry him, my FJ40 has that pattern and it likes to stick some times makin git difficult to shift. I'm sure 45lwbs wheel just fine, wish I had one as a matter of fact.

[IDave]

Ha! My wife insists on having the glove box door visible when she drives the 40 (infrequently). I tend to want it open because that's where the CD player is. But she likes to see the instruction plate, even though she taught me to drive 3 on the tree, because she had done it before and I hadn't!

[mantis]

I've never driven a 3 on the tree before, and there is no plate on the glove box door, so that is why I asked.

I'll give it a chance to see how I like it, but if I get too irritated I'll be swapping in an automatic.

[65SWB45]

Mike, it's not the shifter that's irritating. It's what it's attached to.

[mantis]

Originally Posted by 65SWB45

Mike, it's not the shifter that's irritating. It's what it's attached to.

So, not a fan of the 3-speed, huh?

[dieselcruiserhead]

I was in the same boat, it's just like a 3 speed H pattern on the floor but its on the column. Reverse (top left) is reverse top left (up and closest to you) on the column. Pretty neat how that works IMO. I wonder who thought up that idea

[tornadoalleycruiser]

Wish someone would build a 4speed column shift conversion!

[ironpig70]

my 70 fj40 was like taht and my buddy craig has a 64 chevy that was the same only two rigs at my highschool like it everybody thought it was an auto since it was "column shifted"

[65SWB45]

Originally Posted by tornadoalleycruiser

Wish someone would build a 4speed column shift conversion!

Call me later and I will take a spy shot!

[dieselcruiserhead]

I was going to say I don't think it'd be that hard to do. Lord knows everyone has column shift parts lying around

[tornadoalleycruiser]

"Call me later and I will take a spy shot!"
Your kidding me..
you know it's not nice to tease!

[Halogrinder]

aww....remember, you will take off in 3rd many times, and go .....OOPS! and quickly do the 3-1 shuffle as people honk at you from behind... it will happen, trust me

[cruiserbrett]

Originally Posted by tornadoalleycruiser

Wish someone would build a 4speed column shift conversion!

Good luck getting that to fit under a stock tranny tunnel on a 45. On my 45 lwb, I had to grind down bolts on the tranny tunnel just to get the formerly 3 speed tunnel to clear the 4 speed shifter top cover.

[Degnol]

Originally Posted by tornadoalleycruiser

Wish someone would build a 4speed column shift conversion!

Actually Erik, I used to work at a Saab dealership in the late 60's and they came out with the Sonnet which was a 3cyl, 2 stroke with a 4 speed on the column. It was a real Corvette killer in first and second, like for about the first 150'.
Ed

[mantis]

Well, after sitting in my garage since the beginning of August I took the 45 out for a drive last night. I love it! Rides much nicer than my 40... then again I had about 1000 lbs of stuff in the bed (my current storage area).

Didn't kill it at all, but did get some pretty smells out of the clutch when I tried to take off in 3rd instead of 1st

The new wiring harness arrived yesterday, so hopefully I'll get that put in this weekend (3 day weekend). Then I just have to get the e-brake working, and I can go through the vehicle safety inspection. Hopefully I'll have it legally on the road by mid-January.


Anyone have any e-brake stuff sitting around?

[65SWB45]

Originally Posted by cruiserbrett

Good luck getting that to fit under a stock tranny tunnel on a 45. On my 45 lwb, I had to grind down bolts on the tranny tunnel just to get the formerly 3 speed tunnel to clear the 4 speed shifter top cover.

Hmmm. I have a 4 speed floorshift in my swb45 that I installed when I did the frame up in 92 and didn't have ANY bolt grinding or other problems. You're welcome to come have a look Brett. And if you just happen to have that front axle in your truck at the time...............

[LandCroozer]

Originally Posted by Halogrinder

aww....remember, you will take off in 3rd many times, and go .....OOPS! and quickly do the 3-1 shuffle as people honk at you from behind... it will happen, trust me

BTDT!

I miss my quirky 3 on the tree.

-t