so my van is a 3 on the tree, and my shifter broke on the column. ive been hunting the world for a new steering column but there literally isnt one anywhere. (unless someone here has one theyd like to sell me!). so now im about to put in a floor shifter, but im wondering if i can put in an automatic transmission and call it a day. can i get one that will bolt right in? any leads on one or are they pretty hard to find? i appreciate any help!

1973 dodge b200 van, 225 slant six, no power steering(for now.).

thanks!

It's tough to find people that have done this to vans. The bad news is that you'll most likely have to change your driveshaft as well as get another column. The good news is that these vans are relatively easy to find in the salvage yards. I mean out here we hardly have anything old out in the yards but I have come across quite a few 70's Dodge vans. You should be able to pull all the parts you need and be set.

Maybe someone else will chime in but I'm not sure if those Vans used a 727 or 904 auto tranny.

It would be fairly easy to swap to an automatic, but you would either have to get an automatic floor shifter or an automatic steering column.

The automatic swap would require solving the a shifter problem (new column and linkage or floor shifter and linkage), the transmission, the transmission mount, the kickdown linkage from the carb (could use the factory linkage or go with a cable-style linkage), and possibly modification to the length of the driveshaft.

I think the easiest and most cost effective swap would be to install a floor mount manual transmission shifter.

Have you checked on www.vannin.com and moparbvans.proboards.com for anyone with a parts van?

You will need the tranny cooler lines, and you will have to make sure that your current radiator will be able to use the lower cooler (if it's taken some road damage it might just be a leak and tranny problem waiting to happen).

-D.Idiot