3-on-the-Tree, how to drive a column shift 3-speed truck

[@mkshffr4936]

I used to work in a tire lube shop and we got one of these in for an oil change. I had to bring it in because none of the kids could drive it.

[@classicperformance]

Love it!!!!

[@thatcarguy1UZ]

You know what's funny is back in 1992 when I was an automotive intern working at the local Chevy dealership I was assigned to primarily work on used car trade-ins. One of the other guys who was the same age as me was assigned a late seventies or early 80s Ford F100 to bring into the shop to check out for the used car department and I was assigned a miserable little late 80s Hyundai Excel. When I started that little piece of shit it started billowing plumes of white smoke, so I knew it was going to have a bad cylinder head gasket or cylinder head practically right off the bat. In the meantime, he had tried to start and move the truck. I heard the truck start, and then I heard him release the parking brake, and then I heard a bunch of grinding sounds. He was trying to put the truck into "drive." He jumped out and was all upset complaining about not wanting to have to replace the transmission. I asked him if he wanted to swap, and he eagerly took me up on my offer. I hopped into the truck, put it in first gear, eased off the clutch, and drove away. He was pissed! Later in the shop, he asked me how I got it to move. I knew right away that it was a three on the tree. He had never heard of that before or seen one before. So I ended up getting the cool old truck, and he got stuck yanking the engine on that Hyundai. The reason I knew what a three on the tree was is because my cousin Ronnie who although my cousin was my mother's age, had an old Chevy II with a straight 6 and a column mounted 3-speed, and I used to watch him shift gears all the time when we rode in that car.

[@classicperformance]

Now that is a great story!!! And funny too. Imagine today if one of these was happened upon, it would never get stolen. We never even lock the doors at WalMart or anywhere. And yes, someone will always come look, with hopes it is a stick shift, look in the window, "Oh, it's an automatic" haha. Thanks for the story and your interest!!!

[@thatcarguy1UZ]

@classicperformance I won't lie, I've always been fascinated by "three on the tree." I've never had the opportunity to own one.

[@lelandbacon2731]

My dad drove a '74 Econoline for work with a three on the tree.

[@classicperformance]

So many of the vans were, if not all because there was no room for a shifter w the "dog house" engine cover between the seats. Thanks for sharing that story!

[@rockitsurjon8629]

Feel free to donate that truck to a good cause. My name is Good Cause.

[@classicperformance]

Mr. Cause, you have our att. Signed B Cause. 😉

[@musicgroopie1]

When I was 14 years old my dad had a 65' inline 6 Ford step side with three on the tree. He said I would not be allowed to go get my license unless I could drive a standard transmission. Trying to push that cabled clutch to the floor took all the leg stretch and strength I could muster. When I turned 16 he gave me that truck to use until I could buy my own ride. It had an am/ fm no track tube radio installed. Our house was three miles from my high school. In the winter the tube radio wouldn't come on until I was halfway to school because those tubes had to heat up to receive reception. I miss that old Ford. That inline 6 was a damn good engine. My dad and his work buddy rebuilt the engine and bored it out and it would burn rubber when you popped the clutch

[@classicperformance]

What a great dad!!! And a tube radio. Understood on that too!! Wow!!

[@chadparrish9863]

It's not cable clutch......

[@classicperformance]

@@chadparrish9863 you are correct, it's a rod and bellcrank type linkage. @musicgroopie1 might have been thinking of a hydraulic activation which of course would be much easier and smoother.

[@isaacr.8082]

I appreciate your time in making this video. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you.

[@classicperformance]

Hey thanks!!! Appreciate you watching and commenting. It's a great old truck that has survived amazingly enough.

[@grizz474]

I had one!

[@classicperformance]

Can't beat 'em!! People are fascinated riding in it and can't figure out what is going on for the first few miles.

[@minibikes502matter]

Thanks for this video.

[@classicperformance]

You bet! Was a lot of fun to make it. Appreciate the support!!! This old truck gets more attn than a shiny classic and has more personality than most people today!

[@chuckwillingham3103]

Nice video ..but now I gotta worry if some young whipper snapper that watched your video will be capable of making off with my 67 Chevy

[@classicperformance]

Haha, good point. I might have done the old collector truck community a disservice!!! Ugh

[@chuckwillingham3103]

Was just tryin to be funny, aint no one gonna steal ol Bessie !! 😄

[@classicperformance]

​@chuckwillingham3103 whew!!! The doors don't even lock and never worried about it since figuring nobody of the "thug life" would ever bother it. It ain't no Scat Pack so... 😊

[@curiousnomadic]

Bet it makes an annoying amount of noise. Always wish I had an NLAW for noisy cars.

[@classicperformance]

Yes, makes a "splat" of a sharp racket. We plan to do an X pipe with flow masters and side exit in front of rear wheels. Stay tuned!!