I just pulled the shifter out of the 83 and the rods have been modified, so, I'm going to leave the 83 tranny on. The original question was - is there a difference in the actual shifters? I'm assuming I can put the rods out of the 83 on the 79 shifter since the actual shift patterns are the same.

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Resurrected Nov 2010 - 79 240(SD) with 83 617 engine and 4 speed manual, 2.88 rear and 2.5" straight pipe unknown mileage (Salmon)
83 240D parting out
96 Dodge Cummins 5 sp 4X4 long bed - 310k

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