Chris,
The transmission itself checks out quite well, also the rear shifter unit. My issue is with the front shifter column. I suspect/hope that you are right about the sharing of parts, i.e. the commercial Fords of the same era. The transmission that your friend has, does it still have the shifter column ? any chance of a picture ?
Charlie,
I've attached a couple of pictures of the tranny, linkage and front shifter.
Thanks, Peter
