[fla347]

im looking at a 1969 a100 pickup to buy - supposed to be original but it has a 4 speed column shift ..... the only 4 speed column shift i have ever seen was on early 60s mercedes in europe while in the army-- i have asked several of my knowledgeable mopar friends about it and they all say 'yes i have heard of that' -- but none could remember ever seeing one. after doing several searches - i can find no mention of this anywhere -- so i came here to see if there is anyone who may have any further info on it. thanks for any info or links to info ---- jim

 

[ImperialCrown]

How do you get into Reverse?
I think that this is a homemade column linkage conversion from 3-speed to 4-speed.
I know of no other manual transmission shifting pattern than the 'H' gate for domestic columns. The 4-speed may be a floor shifter only?
There is no mention of a 4-on-the-tree in period Dodge truck service manuals.
There was automatic transmission shifters on the dash.
Overdrive lock-out levers were mounted under the dash.

 

[hemirunner426]

If you go to Rockauto.com and look up 69 A100.I went to manual trany and looked up input shaft bearing.They list bearings for 3 and 4 speed transmissions.?

 

[68RT]

How do you get into Reverse?
I think that this is a homemade column linkage conversion from 3-speed to 4-speed.
I know of no other manual transmission shifting pattern than the 'H' gate for domestic columns. The 4-speed may be a floor shifter only?
There is no mention of a 4-on-the-tree in period Dodge truck service manuals.
There was automatic transmission shifters on the dash.
Overdrive lock-out levers were mounted under the dash.

There s no way a floor shifter would work easily on an A100. Engine is back too far. If a selector style box is used, a column shift "H" Pattern would be easy with one large fixed lever and one small range selector. To do it with a standard three lever trans would require a remake of the shift column from two to three levers. Doable but a LOT OF WORK.

 

[ImperialCrown]

I was thinking of a column H-pattern 4 speed with an underdash lever to pull a cable to engage reverse.
The column shifter would be placed in neutral while using reverse. I would hope that there is a mechanical linkage lock-out to prevent an accidental forward and reverse gear engagement at the same time.
My dad had a '79 PB200 (Voyager) 318 with the 4-speed on the floor (OD). It got an easy 23 mpg highway. The shifter was next to the driver's seat and out of the way if you needed to climb in the back.

 

[dana44]

Used to own a 1963 Ford Econoline van with a 4 speed column shift. Wasn't aware an A100 ever got one though.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Found this truck for sale and it has a 4-speed column shift according to the article:

Price: US $22,000.00
Item location: Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania, United States
Make: Dodge
Model: Other Pickups
Type: truck
Trim: A100
Year: 1965
Mileage: 99,108
VIN: 1882030894
Color: sunset red and cream white
Engine size: 440
Number of cylinders: 8
Transmission: four speed
Drive type: MANUAL
Interior color: red and black
Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!
Description for Dodge Other Pickups 1965
1965 DODGE A100 VERY RARE EXCELLENT CONDITION 95% RESTORED NEEDS FINISHING TOUCHES. 440 - 4 SPEED COLUMN SHIFT MANUAL TRANS. ENTIRE BODY SANDBBASTED NEW PAINT NEW UPHOLSTERY. REBUILT 40 30 OVER. STOCK TRANS. IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS CALL ME AT 610-216-0346 MARK.

 

[pt006]

If we are talking about the old 'A' vans with a pickup like bed on the back, then I talked to an owner of one of them. He said they only came with sixes or 273's. To put a 440 in one would be a major structural job.

 

[68RT]

I was thinking of a column H-pattern 4 speed with an underdash lever to pull a cable to engage reverse.
The column shifter would be placed in neutral while using reverse. I would hope that there is a mechanical linkage lock-out to prevent an accidental forward and reverse gear engagement at the same time.
My dad had a '79 PB200 (Voyager) 318 with the 4-speed on the floor (OD). It got an easy 23 mpg highway. The shifter was next to the driver's seat and out of the way if you needed to climb in the back.

Transmissions have an interlock built into them to stop double shifting. only one gear at a time is allowed.

 

[68RT]

If we are talking about the old 'A' vans with a pickup like bed on the back, then I talked to an owner of one of them. He said they only came with sixes or 273's. To put a 440 in one would be a major structural job.

Only issue would be engine cover and perhaps some clearance at the back. Rear cross member might need to be moved but It has been done.

 

[valiant67]

Only issue would be engine cover and perhaps some clearance at the back. Rear cross member might need to be moved but It has been done.

Yep, probably not enough clearance for assembly line work but much larger than original engines have been squeezed into these over the years.

 

[68RT]

Yep, probably not enough clearance for assembly line work but much larger than original engines have been squeezed into these over the years.

Did not have crash standards, pollution standards, and cut and hash is allowed. Little red wagon had engine set in bed and my favorite was Chuck Poole's Chuck wagon with engine in the back reversed and using a "V" drive. At onetime he had 180 degree tuned megaphones angled to be horizontal when wheel standing. Talk about sweet sound. Also used a blower at times.

 

[pt006]

On the Allpar site, if you type in A-100 pickup you will see a couple of photos of the doghouse. It is the width of the motor that would require seat mods, a new doghouse fab., bigger radiator, etc. Given enough time and money, most things can be done.

 

[Bearhawke]

Did not have crash standards, pollution standards, and cut and hash is allowed. Little red wagon had engine set in bed and my favorite was Chuck Poole's Chuck wagon with engine in the back reversed and using a "V" drive. At onetime he had 180 degree tuned megaphones angled to be horizontal when wheel standing. Talk about sweet sound. Also used a blower at times.

Def agree concerning safety standards; emissions weren't an issue with the 440 since even the Magnum version was available in 1978 running two catalytic converters.

 

[ka9yhd]

If we are talking about the old 'A' vans with a pickup like bed on the back, then I talked to an owner of one of them. He said they only came with sixes or 273's. To put a 440 in one would be a major structural job.

Has to be owner did the change to a 440 because the first year for the 440 was 1966. 1965 was the last year for the 426 big block wedge head..........NOT the Hemi.

 

[ImperialCrown]

Yes, this would not have been stock. Someone modified the truck.

 

[A-Body]

I was thinking of a column H-pattern 4 speed with an underdash lever to pull a cable to engage reverse.
The column shifter would be placed in neutral while using reverse. I would hope that there is a mechanical linkage lock-out to prevent an accidental forward and reverse gear engagement at the same time.
My dad had a '79 PB200 (Voyager) 318 with the 4-speed on the floor (OD). It got an easy 23 mpg highway. The shifter was next to the driver's seat and out of the way if you needed to climb in the back.

Totally different type of van, a A-100 to a B series. The B had a hump on the floor for the shifter. I have 2 of them.