What's the difference between side shift and tail shift?, Transmission question Options

[Thunderchief]

There's a 914-6 conversion on EBay that mentions side shift transmission but I've also seen tail shift as well and was wondering what applications work for each one. Thanks.

[jcd914]

72 and earlier cars had the tail shift trans.
73 and later cars had the side shift trans.

To swap a side shift in you need the complete shift linkage from the shift lever all the way to the transmission. You can reuse the shift knob, if you can get it off without breaking it.

Also the side shift has a shift console ( on the side) and the 3 internal shift rods in the transmissions are different between tail shift and side shift.

So you can get a side shift trans to go with the complete linkage and swap in.
Or you can get the shift console and internal shift rods and convert the tail shift trans to a side shift trans. Some assembly required.

You also need a firewall conversion shift rod bushing and if it is stock 4cly car you need 73 and later engine cross bar and engine mounts.

So if you are buying a car get one with the side shift trans if you can.
But if everything else makes a car with tail shift trans the better car it can always be converted to a side shift trans later.

Jim