Tech Article Title
|
Author
|
Date
|
DIY
Short Shifter |
Phil
Becker
|
2003 |
So I decided I wanted a short shifter... but I decided I
didn't
want to pay for it. So here is how you turn a stock shifter into a
variable setting short shifter.
Tools needed to do this
mod:
-
Drill
-
Vise
- 1/4" drill bit
- 12mm -1.50 hex die
- Hacksaw, 24T blade
- Vise grips
- 13mm socket
- 10mm socket
- 1" socket
*deep socket is preferable*
- Allen keys
- Two 10mm spanners
1.
Remove the shifter, pretty easy and self explanatory.
2. Take the aluminum L shaped shift sleeve off of the shifter. Use two 10mm spanners or
any combination of 10mm sockets and/or wrenches.
3. Place shift sleeve in vise and
drill two 1/4" holes on the same line as the stock hole.
4. Use die
and ratchet to add more threading to the stock shifter where the stock
knob mounts. I used vise grips to hold the shaft of the shifter while I
used a long ratchet to turn the die and cut the new threads. This requires
some effort. Check periodically to make sure you are doing it right. The
die has 2 sides one says "start this side", make note of that and use the
correct side.
5. Cut 1" of excess threading off from the end of the
shifter.
6. Re-install shifter sleeve onto shifter using 10mm
spanners. (select desired shift length) you will have normal throw, short
throw or lazy bum throw.
7. Place required spacers between shifter
mount and longitudinal adjustment bracket mount screws.
8.
Re-install the short shifter into the car. Self explanatory. If you can't
figure out how to take it out, this mod isn't for you.
9. Adjust
neutral position using the hex keys to slide shift sleeve inside the shift
cuff that goes to the transmission. Also, the longitudinal mount has a hex
(same size) that allows about 1" of forward / backward adjustment.
10. Cut the spacer cuff on the shift boot. Early models have a
white plastic one, later years have a black plastic one. Use the hacksaw
to cut it down by the same length that you cut the threading down by. 1"
removed from threading = 1" removed from the boot height spacer cuff.
11. Tighten it all back up and enjoy! You have now shortened the
shifter height and the throw by a considerable amount. You've also spent
$4 on a die rather than $200 on a short shifter.
MAKE SURE YOU USE THE DIE outside
of the car. I did mine with the shifter installed and OOPS be damned if I didn't
break that little shitty plastic thing. I actually thought that
there was metal inside of it and that it would hold. Yes, I too make
mistakes. If anybody wants to buy me a new one of those I'd be very
appreciative. It has a part number and everything.