Mk 6 column gearshift conversion to centre floor shift

Fred Franken · Joined: 30 Nov 2020 Posts: 6 Location: Germany

Dear forum members.
Has anyone converted a 1949 Left Hand MK6 steering column gear shift to a center floor shift?
Thank you in advance fred

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:25 pm Post subject:

It can be done but you will have to alter certain gearbox components as the arched internal cross shaft has to come out.

You will also need a MK VI right had gate change and the L/H are not used and will be superfluous.

Fred Franken · Joined: 30 Nov 2020 Posts: 6 Location: Germany

Good afternoon Mr Carnley.
Thank you for a very speedy reply.
I have a right hand gate, gear lever, and connecting rod + rod extension with selector fork, for a floor shift. (bought 2nd hand)
But if i place the gearshift gate in approx the center floor position, the gate connecting rod (without the extension) already lines up with the LH side of the gearbox (ie where the steering column connection links to the side of the gearbox. Which means (i think) i have to connect on the LH side of the gearbox (sitting in the driver seat) ( i.e. it looks like disconnecting the column change linkage, and connect the floor linkage on the same gear shaft. But the gate will be positioned at least a few inches ABOVE the gearbox, so a U shaped connecting bracket is required. ???!! not sure

Regards fred

JGwynne · Joined: 20 Sep 2021 Posts: 21 Location: Florida, USA

Hi Fred,

If you go ahead with the conversion, could you document the process? I think that many here would find it of interest.

Best of luck!

Fred Franken · Joined: 30 Nov 2020 Posts: 6 Location: Germany

Progress stage 2
There are 2 drawings available from the club. RG8483 and RG 8475, via Ian Scott that convert a RH drive car with RH floor gear change to RH drive car with center of floor gear change.
(so far this does not solve my LH drive column gear change to floor gear change, but i'm seeing the light)

John Robins · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:42 am Post subject:

https://www.bdcl.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=644&highlight=

To those who think that this was a home-made device, I would add that I now have the factory build sheets for B373TO, and it isn’t. It was fitted by the factory from new.

I’m not sure if this would be of any use to owners of lhd cars wanting a centre change, but there it is.