3 on the tree to floor conversion kit

I am purchasing a 68 bronco with 3 on the tree that still works fine. Would you wait to do the floor shift swap till it fails, do it now, or never do it?

Also, who has the best conversion kit? I heard some kits have clearance issues.

Thanks

Do it never is my vote. I rebuilt my three speed column so it works like new. I grew up in the day where 3 on the tree was still prevalent and I like it fine. As I understand the floor conversion there are trade offs. Clutters up the floor. I guess you can shift faster, but who is racing much in their Bronco?

Never do it. Consider how few Broncos still exist with the original shifter on the column.

My 71 had the floor conversion done before I bought it, though I've driven a column shift before. I prefer a floor shift, but, in the Bronco, you have to deal with how close the shifter is to your right leg. I'm fairly tall, so it makes getting to the brake a challenge sometimes. I took my Hurst shifter to a welder I know and he bent it over about 2 1/2 inches, or so. That was a big help, but I could use more. I think Duff sells a shifter stick that's already bent (I bought it originally) but it wasn't enough for me, so I took my Hurst to get bent even more. Of course, if you keep it in 2nd all the time, your're good (haha).

I have to say, once you drive a three on the tree for a while you really get used to it and it starts to makes sense. The shifter is right there where you need it. Not in the way. Yeah a floor shifter is cooler, but the design of the Bronco does not lends itself to a floor shifter. Give it a chance before you cut a new hole in the floor of your nice Bronco.

3 on the tree all the way. Driven a couple that have kept the 3 speed, and put it on the floor and it was annoyingly too close to my body/leg. Shifter on my 71' np435 is no big deal but it of course it's in the middle of the tunnel. Another vote for keeping it on the column.

My grandfather taught me how to drive on a Tree-3 so I have a soft spot for them.

That said, mine is in the floor. I love it there. I drive my rig hard on the streets and I bang the gears. Being on the floor lets me do that.

Now if my rig was stock or close to it, Tree-3 is what I would have.

Tim

Thanks

Thanks for the replies! I am going to keep the column shift until it fails and then make a decision then. I have never driven one before and may end up loving it by the time I need to make a call.

Thanks again

I always thought column shifters were fun for some reason! When mine had the 3 speed, it had the floor shifter. It does take away some leg room but the thing shifted better than any transmission I've ever shifted. The lack of leg room never bugged me, but I can see how it could bug other people.

Keep it 3 on the tree if you're comfy with it. It's a dying function like the others have said. But ultimately your decision on what you like best

I had one Bronco that I converted the shifter to the floor and I will NEVER do that again. In addition to the ridiculous nature of the location with regard to proximity to your leg, the shifter throw in a truck is so much longer that is literally a pain in the ass to drive. I ended up hating to drive that thing.

I like the three on the tree myself but my column was sooo badly worn out that i considered converting to floor shift. But the direction inwas gonna go is by using the jeep three speed transmission top and replacing the bronco top with it. This puts the shifter in the center of the trans hump and away from your knee. Then deano gave me a m5od 5 speed and i had to go floor. Dilemma solved. Lol. But if inhad to gonfloor shift three speed i would do the jeep conversion

I like floor shift but the throw to second is far

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If it fails, drive a floor shift Bronco before making the move. I've seen more regrets making the move, than happy results. I will never move it.

Moved mine when I had the 74. Loved it and never looked back. Now that I am (De-rusting) rebuilding a 73 that I have aquired. For me it is a no brainer. Plus the tree is really messed up.

One of the single best anti-theft devices on a Bronco is the 3 on the tree shifting. Punk ass kids and low-life's have no idea how they work...

Get the Duff's shifter. Do it now! You'll love it! The throw to 2nd is fine - just heat and bend it to the right for more leg clearance if you need it. It makes the Bronco much more fun to drive.

I love the column shifter and will never swap it out. To me, it's one of the things that sets a Bronco apart. It's so classic. That being said, the most off-pavement it sees is 2-tracks and dirt roads.

Millar

Get the Duff's shifter. Do it now! You'll love it! The throw to 2nd is fine - just heat and bend it to the right for more leg clearance if you need it. It makes the Bronco much more fun to drive.

I converted from the column to the floor with the Duff's kit and I like it a lot. For me, the shifter is in the right place.

If your column shift is good, why would you do it?
Obviously, there are owners that will defend their decision to floor shift.
But... the floor shifter box is big and ugly.
I guess it depends on how far from stock you plan to take the rest of your build. If you're going to butcher other things too, then go ahead.%)