It's hard to say if you will have to change or modify the trans mount frame, in my case I did have to fabricate a new mount. Fairly easy to do. My Top Loader was the very long tail shaft version which resulted in a very short drive shaft! So in my case I had to get my old drive shaft lengthened. I've talked to some folks that were able to use their existing drive shaft, just change out the front yoke that goes into the trans. It cost about $80 to modify the drive shaft, but I also installed new U-joints for another $50 or so.
You have TWO choices when it comes to mounting the trans on the bell housing. You can go with a "short input shaft" style OR use a 3/4" adaptor plate between the trans and the bell housing. I don't like adaptor plates myself and went with a short input shaft setup. BUT, that does move the trans shifter location forward, about 3/4" which means you have to modify the trans tunnel shifter hole. In retrospect, I could see going with an adaptor plate.
The new shifter also sits up HIGHER than the old one did. It will stick out above the tran tunnel hole. I plan to use a "spacer ring" of some kind that will raise the height of the shifter boot above the tunnel. For now I'll be using a short stock TKO shifter until I can get my exisiting Top Loader shifter modified to fit.
From this:
To this:
Special thanks to B2Motorsports, our own Brent (Blykins), for the parts and expertise to make this a simple installation!! I also went with a Steeda Tri Ax after market shifter to replace the stock TKO unit. When I closely compared the two, on the bench, it was readily apparent why the Steeda is superior. You would really have to screw up to miss that third gear shift with the Steeda, you might find yourself in 5th with the stock unit!
