For me, I wanted a column shifter. The trucks I grew up in were that way and so for a truck, it "had to be on the column". I actually think the flow thru's are really nice and I might go that way next time. But for my first truck, I wanted it on the column. Just a personal preference.

 

Growing up, all the trucks I drove were shifted at the column. So for me, column shifters feel more like a truck. And console shifters are for cars.
I bought a screw because I need the room and that front jump seat has come in handy many times.

 

The floor shifter is a waste of space and another dust trap.

I still prefer the openness and extra leg room of the old column type, but why not something slicker like a thumb shifter on the wheel or a push-button (Range Rover) type on the control panel?

 

Why would anyone want the floor mounted shifter?? That's a waist of perfectly good cargo room.

In addition a few weeks ago a coworker just playing around zipped in the parking lot and parked 6 inches from the driver side of my truck. I slide across the seat and was out of my truck before he was. The center console would only have got in the way.

 

The results don't lie, most of us want the for shifter. I for one don't sit close to the steering wheel and it is easier to grab the shifter when on the floor...

 

I prefer console on anything.

 

COLUMN!
floor/console shift automatic is for sports cars and econoboxes (IMO, no offense).
same with bucket seats. I gave a bunch of reasons in a lengthy way on a similar thread so i won't repeat it here, but here are the reasons in jot notes..

-column shift groups the hand-operated controls close together, which only makes sense. If the gearshift is on the console, the ignition, signal light/wiper/headlight control stalk and steering wheel (OK, maybe not the steering wheel, but you get the point) might as well be too...sorry.
-if you are going to have bucket seats, console shift takes up space that could be used for storage.
-column shift looks better (yeah, that ones an opinion)
-column shift is much less awkward (some disagree, don't see how)
-a couple of others. there is some counter-argument for each point for sure, but thats my take on it.

one thing though: I wonder why the console shift wins but most f-150s have column shift? hmm...
-Zach

 

disagree with no offense myself. i just mentioned i my response that the floor shift wins, but most f150s have column shift....huh. wonder why.
-Zach

 

no, real cars have column shift too. console shift? econoboxes TRYING to be cars.
-Zach

 

Console shift