I just installed a TCI Street fighter floor shifter in my Duster with an automatic shift on the column. Can I remove the shift lever and the shift indicator on the column and replace with parts that will make it look like an automatic on the floor? If so, what are the replacement parts I would need and where to find? Thanks Gary

I am doing what you did, but will use a B&M shifter. My plan is to replace my entire column with a steering column that came out of a car with floor shift. I am not sure if there is another way around.

In the past I saw where someone had a collar for a column for sale that looked like it would repalce the shift indicator. Not sure this could be done, but was in hopes that it could without changing out the entire column. Thanks Gary

I got every column part from the dealer that I could to modify my 71 duster. The upper part with shift indicator was not available, so I did some cutting and bondo modifying, and it came out great. That was 10 years ago, now I've got to do it again also.

psssssst. go look for a 80's (82-84?) dodge truck with a standard trans. you will be surprised what you find for column pcs..

I cut the tabs off the bowls, filled them in, then repaint. Looks just like a manual column.

Could the change be made with just changing the collar?

I have done this twice on Dodge trucks. First one was a non tilt and I got all the parts to convert it from the dealer. Second was a tilt column which was never offered in trucks with a floor shift, 1970's trucks. I cut and filled the holes with JB weld, sanded and painted it. Turned out great.

That's what my uncle did on his coronet years ago. Ground off the shift indicator and the nub from the column shifter, bondo'd, sanded and painted. He did a good job and you'd never know, even 20 years later.

Back when I converted my 70 Charger from Column to floor, I just replaced the two collars on the steering column with a 70 B Body collar, I am sure A & B body collars are the same. Remember that you also have a collar at the bottom of the column in the engine bay that lines up with a linkage that goes to your trans. I chiseled mine off, straightened it out and painted it.

did one collar replace two collars? Thanks Gary

I have a new column for my Duster. The old 3 speed manual may be hanging there for a while with the Hurst in the floor!

So, do you have the parts I need? Is it for sale? Thanks Gary

I was looking at the FSM for my 67 Barracuda last night. Yes, the top of the column does come apart. You will need the part where the indicator is and the part where the gear selector is. Interesting in that I have been watching parts for sell and have never noticed either of these two parts offered. It may be even more specific by years 67-69, depending on where the key fits on later model column cars. I have a 67 so never noticed when it switched over. Looks to me like this is all pot metal too. I get the grinding off part, but there must be something better than bondo to use. I was looking at the indicator part wondering if one could not save the top metal part of the indicator and perhaps try epoxying in the very top portion of it(cut the sides off) and then use a product like Metal to Metal or All Metal to fill in and smooth out.

I know this may sound odd, but has anybody ever considered leaving the quadrant on the column as a display only? Grind the nub for the shift handle off and leave the quadrant and all it's associated linkage hooked up so when you move the lever on the floor, the quadrant indicates the proper gear as well?

I think that'd be neat. Less work too!

The factory linkage has been removed in order to install the TCI Street Fighter floor mounted shifter. There was no way to have both of them in working order. I just wanted to make the steering column look like a manual column with out having to change the entire column. I checked with the dealer this morning and the necessary parts to convert are not available. Does anyone know of a steering column repair shop that may have the spares I need. If all fails I will need a manual column if anyone has a spare to sell. Thanks Gary