1940 Column Shift

[Alan O'Connell]

Did the 1940 Ford's have a column shift from job one or was it an early change over from the floor shift?

[Ken/Alabama]

Job one.

[19Fordy]

Perhaps I am missing soemthing but. I don't understand your question.
The column shift was introduced in 1940 in the 1940 Ford cars.

[Alan O'Connell]

I was wondering if the column shift was introduced on job one of the 40 Fords. Or did very early 40 Fords have floor shifts. Just curious. I know on my 35, Ford made changes throughout the model year.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Alan O'Connell

I was wondering if the column shift was introduced on job one of the 40 Fords. Or did very early 40 Fords have floor shifts. Just curious. I know on my 35, Ford made changes throughout the model year.

Ford made changes during the '40 model year as well. Still, the column shift was from day #1, job #1.

[Alan O'Connell]

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Thanks everone.

[blucar]

As a possible clarification to the question. The majority of the auto manufactures offered the column shift option on the Delux models only in 1939. With very few exceptions, the column shift option was done using a conventional top loader trans with a top plate that had provisions to convert the trans to a side shift.
There were two reasons for the column shift:
1. To minimize noise telegraphed into the passenger compartment via the stick shift.
2. The bigger reason, to make automobiles more attractive, easier to use for female drivers. Chrysler really pushed this feature in their ads for '39.

[s.e.charles]

this is a helpful thread.

once we got to the helpful part.

the part of converting a top loader especially.

[S.Duncan]

If you where to swap a 40 trans and column into a 39 would you have to change to 40 pedals as well?

[Mart]

Originally Posted by S.Duncan

If you where to swap a 40 trans and column into a 39 would you have to change to 40 pedals as well?

If you swap the 39 release shaft into the box, the answer is no. If you use the 40 release shaft then yes and you would have to fit the 40 relay lever and bracket.

[Terry,OH]

The 40 clutch linkage is different from the 39, could use the 39 linkage by changing the throwout bearing shaft and lever to 39

[marko39]

it also made it easier to exit the right side which was encouraged back then.

[Zeke3]

Wasn’t the whole purpose of the 1940 clutch pedal and linkage redesign was to make room for the side shift transmission linkage?

[Mart]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

Wasn’t the whole purpose of the 1940 clutch pedal and linkage redesign was to make room for the side shift transmission linkage?

Dunno. Is it?

[Andy]

The shift rods coming down from the column would interfere with the 39 clutch linkage. The 40 clutch linkage is also superior to the 39.
I put a side shift box in my 32 and had to build all new linkage. It all bolted in with no cutting, welding. I like it a lot.

[S.Duncan]

Would like to know if anyone has done this swap,40 trans and column into 39 with 39 pedals?

[Andy]

No body has done this swap. It is impossible. The shift rods go right thru the clutch linkage

[S.Duncan]

Kind of figured that was the case,they didnt revamp the pedals for nothing. Thanks for confirming it