DIY short shifter - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

b-juggles · 09-07-2002, 00:14

Hey all,

well i stoppped thinking about it and actually did it. forget spending big $$$$ on short shifters an stuff cos I made me a short shifter for $3.89. (the cost of a hacksaw blade and some loctite automotive superglue). took all of 20mins to do!!!

I cut about 1.5" off the top of the shifter, then gutted the gear knob to accomdate the aluminium shaft. let it dry and there you have it!!!!

looks heaps better, and feels much better too. the throw has been reduced big time!!!

now i just got to save for that gear skull gear knob with red led eyes and it will be sweet!!!!!

only problem is that i have to move the back of my seat up cos its too hard to reach into first from my 'relaxed' driving postion!

hot_eb

Futura97 · 09-07-2002, 00:28

I did the same to my XF. I bought a new knob for it, but it became really friggen big with it on. So i got out a hacksaw and chopped it. I have never regretted doing it.

b-juggles · 09-07-2002, 00:31

how long have you had it on xf_xr6?

does the superglue shit itself after a while and the knob fall off?

Futura97 · 09-07-2002, 00:42

nah the knob i bought has three little screws aound the base, so you just screw it on real tight. But actually, now that i think about it, there is 2 different parts to it. There was the base that sits on the lever, then the knob that sits on the base. The base has the three little screws to secure it.

But when i cut it, the lever is a little fatter so the base didn't fit over properly. To fix this i got the hammer out and bashed the base on. Thats the ONLY thing i regret doing. Its damn impossible to get it off again.

Bass Crazy · 09-07-2002, 01:55

I did a similar thing to my EA shifter.
I cut 2.5" off the middle section of the shifter so that the original fitting at the top can be kept. I then gave it an aluminum mig wielding session. This also meant that the bend in the shifter could be kept, which means its still comfortable.

Like you said, shifting kiks ass now, its soo much quicker, and when cruising, I can shift gears without taking my arm off the center console :)

C YAAA

Thanatos · 09-08-2002, 16:14

I did the same as Bass Crazy (though, I only took 2" out), and it's one of the best things i've ever done!!! It gives the car a whole 'sports car' feel when changing gears...

Dave