Tried to gleen the answer from searching, but didn't find a direct answer. Doing the usual 302/T5z restomod into a 67 FB with original floor console (full length) replacing 4 spd toploader. What I did learn was that an upgraded shifter should be used (looking at B&M Pro5.0). Question is, what are the shifter/trans tunnel/console installation/clearancing things to be aware of from your installation experience? With a console, would a different shifter be better? Thanks in advance for all of your sage advice/experience sharing !!
T5 Shifter for 67 w/Console
- Thread starter 67GTFB
- Start date
armand67Fstback
Member
- Oct 30, 2007
- 146
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67GTFB, I do not have a console but did go with a Reenmachine shifter handle for my 67 FB with a T5Z. There is a standard version which is what I bought and a taller version for a car with a console. I have yet to install it, but looks good and the description says that you do not have to lean forward to shift into 5th gear. I will be using this shifter handle with a Pro 5.0 shifter and a Hurst white Shift knob.
jcode68
Active Member
I did the T5 swap in my 68 with console, which is nearly identical to the 67. I purchased the factory looking shifter handle from Modern Driveline to keep the stock appearance. It bolts right to the stock or aftermarket T5 shifter and locates the handle in the best location, right where Ford intended. It keeps the classic looks, but if you look close, the ball I purchased has the 5 speed gear pattern. Here's a picture:
thanks for your input armand67Fstback - I have checked out Reenmachine's products and they look good .... I need more of a comfort factor for a console install - not so much with the shifter stick but as to the location of the shifter base wrt the tunnel hole ..... the reason fo my concern is in part driven by a statement on the Modern Driveline product guide that recommends using an offset (1" left/1" back) shifter for consoles (but the year is not provided) .... yet most other articles point to a pretty close match for the shifter to the tunnel hole -- perhaps a slight tweak of the sheet metal for shifter body clearancing, but certainly not an inch ... I would like to hear from those who have gone before what the real deal is with this conversion *before* I commit to a shifter purchase ... TIA again for more inputs ....
jcode68 -- thanks for the pic (worth a thousand words) ... I see that the stock console cutout for the shifter is indeed offset to the left from the console centerline - perhaps by 1" !! ... what shifter are you running - the factory T5 or an aftermarket version (which one)?? ... this gives me comfort in how this will work with a console though .... I too was looking to use the factory looking handle (but for a 67 of course) .... and you didn't have to chop any significant sheet metal to clearance the tunnel??
came across a pic in a webmagazine showing a Pro5.0 install where the tunnel hole had to be relieved around 3/8" or so on the passenger side (for the Pro5.0 body ring) {sorry, no can copy that pic here 'casue of CR restriction} .... at least that is consistent with the fact that the console hole is offset left (as is the OEM shift handle wrt OEM handle location on the toploader) whereas the T5 shifter is on the tranny centerline .... perhaps if the OEM T5 shifter is used, then one may not have to clearance the tunnel as the profile is lower than an aftermarket .... but 3/8" - 1/2" on one side is not that bad of a hack job .... from jdoce68's pic, at least the shift handle should clear the console cutout even if over to the right some ....
thoughts?? ... comments???
came across a pic in a webmagazine showing a Pro5.0 install where the tunnel hole had to be relieved around 3/8" or so on the passenger side (for the Pro5.0 body ring) {sorry, no can copy that pic here 'casue of CR restriction} .... at least that is consistent with the fact that the console hole is offset left (as is the OEM shift handle wrt OEM handle location on the toploader) whereas the T5 shifter is on the tranny centerline .... perhaps if the OEM T5 shifter is used, then one may not have to clearance the tunnel as the profile is lower than an aftermarket .... but 3/8" - 1/2" on one side is not that bad of a hack job .... from jdoce68's pic, at least the shift handle should clear the console cutout even if over to the right some ....
thoughts?? ... comments???
jcode68
Active Member
I am using the stock T5z shifter that came with the trans. I trimmed about 1/8" from the tunnel shifter opening on the side pointing toward the firewall. It fit without trimming, but it was a little too close for my liking and I didn't want rubbing, so was just minor clearancing. Yours will probably be similar, but the tolerances can vary from 1 car to the next. The T5 is a great swap, prbably my favorite mod to date. really makes the car more enjoyable to drive, especially coming off the factory 3 speed stick. Good luck with your swap. If you want some pictures of my swap, I have several posted on my CarDomain page at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2161687
jcode68 - thanks again for pointing me to your additional pics ... the one that's just after the T5 bolt-up is really telling ..... you can see the left-sided offset in the tunnel relief hole by the way the reinforcing plate appears assymetrical in the tunnel "ceiling" ... and you can see a modest right sided positioning of the T5 shifter (but on the tunnel centerline) .... so I think I now have a good idea of what I'm getting into here ... and as said, every car will be different - but close .... with your all's input, guess I'm ready for showtime - well, in April .... collecting parts now ...
ciao,
67GTFB
ciao,
67GTFB
I did the T5 swap in my 68 with console, which is nearly identical to the 67. I purchased the factory looking shifter handle from Modern Driveline to keep the stock appearance. It bolts right to the stock or aftermarket T5 shifter and locates the handle in the best location, right where Ford intended. It keeps the classic looks, but if you look close, the ball I purchased has the 5 speed gear pattern. Here's a picture:
I have one of those type of shifters in mine. I love it. I think mine is made by california pony or something like that, but it looks identicle.
I know someone is gong to comment on it. Yeah, I put a 68 style shifter in my car. I like the shifter and the knob better than the 65-66 version.
How's the length compared to the other shifters mentioned?
I have the same one as jcode68; however I want to get a different shift knob (really want a 5spd white hurst ball) and figure rethreading to the smaller 3/8" size would be a PITA.
woodsnake
15 Year Member
Just to make sure I'm on the same page here, The original hole in the console fits the T5 pattern with no problems, and the only potential clearancing is in the trans hump, is that right?
I put a T5 in my 68 Cougar, and am gathering, (I think I have everything now)
parts to put a console in it.
My car came from the factory with a C4, and somewhere a PO cut the floor for a 3+1 OD, so my trans tunnel is already plenty wide on the left side!
I guess I'm close enough for a test fit.
I put a T5 in my 68 Cougar, and am gathering, (I think I have everything now)
parts to put a console in it.
My car came from the factory with a C4, and somewhere a PO cut the floor for a 3+1 OD, so my trans tunnel is already plenty wide on the left side!
I guess I'm close enough for a test fit.
T5 Shifter Photos
I just mocked up the new and old handles to see how it might work. I'll let you decide.
Attachments
DanMn68 - Hard to tell from the pictures, but Summit had the dimensions on their website, just need to get off my butt and measure the shifter I have now for comparison...
Shifter photos
I have more but could only post two. The new handle is taller and more to the rear. Almost the same as the Hurst shifter that fits the toploader.
