3spd ott to floor

I've searched around and have a few questions. I have a 73 comet column shift. I bought a complete 71 mustang 3spd with shifter.
Can I make column work with backdrive rod ?
There is a wire going to shifter linkage , do I need it ?
Does lower shifter boot attach from underneath or thru floor pan ?

 

1 I dunno.
2 Probably wire for backup light switch(though usually are two)
3 Boot probably already on shifter when installed.

Before chopping a hole in floor, determine where the shifter will be located. Maverick vs Mustang vs Falcon etc usually use same transmission but shifter may be located differently. Tail housings do fiffer.

 

I assume we are talking about a manual transmission car. What is a backdrive rod? As far as I know, no Maverick/Comet had a manual trans floor mount shifter, so place the boot where you like or it fits best. Where does the other end of the wire terminate? With a manual trans the only thing I can think of is it is used to energize the back up lights.

 

Reverse lockout rod to column. See stud on trans lever.

 

Floor mounted shifter for std transmission was a option.

For at least '71, '72, '73 & probably later, would pinch your wallet $25.00.

Locking column was federally mandated for all models built after Jan 1 1970,
no doubt would have been included.

 

I thought someone had posted the parts diagram in the past. I think the rod would keep the column key lock, reverse light, and unsure about starter interrupt. I was thinking of clutch switch anyway. If I did away with column function, the reverse switch is on shifter. It appears the lower boot had a retainer ring underside and the upper boot attaches separately.

 

I looked up lock(back drive) rod, different for Mustang & Maverick.

Though not length not listed, one for 6cyl, should be similar to V8. Possibly different bend(s) to clear exhaust? With ALL 3/S being listed, column shift rod should be same as floor.

Application F Mustang, P Maverick.

 

Thanks, I might repurpose one of the original ones.

 

Did a bit of diggin in the '73-'79 Mercury parts catalogue, looks like you need a purple rod.

 

so finally got transmission swapped, floor shift in, and trying to resolve backdrive linkage. The one I have has D3DA-7328-AA stamped on it. It looks about an inch short, and needs a different offset to clear. I guess I will have to modify it to work.

 

So follow up on this. I ended up taking the longer of the 2 ott rods and using it on the reverse/first lever of column. I then cut the flat slotted end of the other rod and bolted it to long rod with spacers in between. This gave me the 1/2" offset and 1" length to work. Column bowl now interlocks with key and reverse light switch remains functional.

 

Should have left it alone. Really haven't improved the car in any way...

 

floor shifter is way better than the sloppy column.

 

Oh, so it was 3 on-the-tree?...