Thread: Column shift conversion?

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What all do I need to do to switch my '66 Caprice over from a column shifter to a a floor shifter? How hard is this process? Thanks in advance!

Chris

Originally posted by unkut2003
What all do I need to do to switch my '66 Caprice over from a column shifter to a a floor shifter? How hard is this process? Thanks in advance!

Chris

is it a stright shift car or automatic?

Originally posted by lt1s10
is it a stright shift car or automatic?

hey lt1s10 I dont think a 66 Caprice came out with a stick course I could be wrong I just never seen one I think the best way I would do it would find parts from a 66 ss Impala that If you want it to appear stock but if ya want spend big bucks you can go billet Im sure they sell a kit

Originally posted by john gemmer
hey lt1s10 I dont think a 66 Caprice came out with a stick course I could be wrong I just never seen one I think the best way I would do it would find parts from a 66 ss Impala that If you want it to appear stock but if ya want spend big bucks you can go billet Im sure they sell a kit

i cant say i ever saw one, but who knows. hey, everybody did they or dint they?

Okay I stand corrected the 66 caprice did come with a 4 speed he he I just looked it up well I did say I could be wrong

Originally posted by john gemmer
Okay I stand corrected the 66 caprice did come with a 4 speed he he I just looked it up well I did say I could be wrong

where is the 100 we bet?

Originally posted by DennyW
Hi John, I wasn't calling you wrong. I figure you just forgot. Hahaha, I had to think a few before I remembered.

hey Im man enough to admitt when I'm wrong don't worry I didn't take It personal but yeah your right I couldn't remember if they did or not I new the Impala did just wasn't for sure if the caprice did so with that said .back to the original question are you trying to switch a stick or a automatic to the floor

Originally posted by lt1s10
where is the 100 we bet?

where do you think we are vegas or somthing

Originally posted by john gemmer
where do you think we are vegas or somthing

somebody told me you had it, so we can go to vegas if you wont to? that DennyW sure is right a lot, looks like me and you need to get to know him better. . LOL:

Originally posted by DennyW
Thank you, I try hard, hahaha. Glad to meet all the guys and girls here, hahaha. I like to make friends when ever I can. That's a good thing.

i agree, hope you dont mind if i joke a little with you.




ps- had a tooth pulled today so i have to joke or cry and i rather joke.

Chris---It is not really a difficult job. here are many good aftermarket shifters available, wheather your car is an automatic or a manual shift with clutch. The aftermarket floor shift conversions range between $175 and $300, depending how fancy you want to get. They come complete with a shifter boot, and all of the hardware and instructions. You will have to cut a hole in the floor of your car,over top of the trasmission and it is remotely possible that you might have to modify the front seat to clear the actual shift lever, although that would be quite unusual. If your car is an automatic, it will be very important that you still incorporate a safety nuetral switch so that your car can not be inadvertantly started while in "drive" or "reverse". If you have any "mechanical aptitude" at all, this job can be done over a weekend without much difficulty.

Mine is a automatic on the column. It has the bench seats which I'd like to switch over to buckets and then add the console with floor shifter. I've got a 350 with 350 tranny in it right now if that means anything.

Chris

brianrupnow gave you some good advice unkut2003, the only thing I might add is to be sure to tie the old column shift off so the shift lever will be in park, because when you get through and it wont start that will be the problem. I know a guy that put a floor shifter in and couldn't get the starter to crank the motor over and that was the reason why. back-up lights might wont to stay on also. the best way is to unplug the old SNS and BLS and run your wires from the new shifter to those wires, then you wont have to worry about where your old shift lever is.

Chris---should be a peice of cake. Check your floorboards before lighting that torch. A lot of production bodys had a hole for floor shifts put in right on the factory assembly line, then if the car didn't have a floor shift a stamped metal cover was screwed over the hole. With a bit of effort and a propane torch to loosen up the sealer, you can remove this cover plate and use the factory shifter hole. Not all cars were like this, but many were. Remember what I said about the nuetral safety switch.

Hey brianrupnow I really appreciate all the info! I definitely want to do this mod because I can't stand the bench seats! Thanks to everyone else also!

Chris