I have a Liberty modified Toploader I'd like to sell, but it's more for a strip only car as the syncros have been modified. I've got a Lakewood scattershield and an Mr. Gasket in-line shifter (like a Hurst Vert-i-gate), but I don't have the shifter rods for it. I had planned on mounting the shifter in a more comfortable position on a custom mounting plate and building my own rods as the stock ones wouldn't work. Plus, I wanted to have Heim ends on them anyway, there's a company out there that makes a kit that you can use as you cut and modify the rods yourself, I think it's Speedway Motors and the kit is about $80. I plan on going with a Jerico and a Long shifter now as the Toploader I have is a small in/out and I'll be going big block, so I want a big in/out. You can convert them, but I really want a Jerico with the gearset set up for my car.
BTW, you need to make sure you're looking at a 4 speed toploader and not a 3 speed toploader or a 3+1 SROD toploader (it was a 3 speed with an overdrive). My '65 coupe came with a 3 speed toploader and I'm considering putting a SROD back into it. I traded off the 3 speed years ago and the car will be a street driven car.....
www.4speedtoploaders.com or ebaymotors.com. They are nearly extinct as far as junkyard finds. They can go for anywhere from $150 to $1000 depending on condition and application. That's David Kee's site I posted above, he builds em new from the ground up. All new parts, case and tailhousings too.
I agree. If you have nothing right now get a 5-speed instead. A T5z can handle a healthy small block. You can have them built stronger if necessary or even go to a Tremec. The extra OD gear is well worth it.