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Advice and data provided on these pages is without warranty, expressed or implied.
Many of the modifications explained here may not be legal in your area, please check
local laws and ordinances before attempting. Always wear safety equipment.
| Created By: |
Chris Rhoades |
Category: |
Budget Mods
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| Date Posted: |
02-14-02 |
Views: |
5621 |
| Title: |
Short Throw Shifter |
| Article: |
Feel free to print this page out for help while performing this mod
This project begins with the shifter already removed from the car. This involves removing the center console, shift knob, and radio fascia. Steps required to do this can be found in a Haynes (or similar) manual.
Tools required are:
A Dremel tool or other high-speed cutting tool. Mine happens to be a Craftsman (made by Dremel, but Craftsman has a better warranty).
Fiberglass cutting wheels (pictured below, brand is unimportant)
A drill with assorted drill bits
A file (optional depending on your skills with the Dremel)
Eye protection and ear protection (Safety first!)
Looking at the stock shifter mechanism you will see that the front (the side that faces forward when installed in the vehicle) has a slope on it. First thing you have to do is remove that slope. In the picture below you will see that I have 'purkled' th e area, this is only for illustration purposes.
 
There are no points for neatness here folks
Just get it out. ;o)
Next we move to the side and do the same type of removal
Then the rear corner gets a similar treatment
In that last picture you should be able to see the shift rod. You should also be able to see 2 holes in the bottom portion of that rod. The top one is the original hole. The bottom one was a preexisting smaller hole that will have to be enlarged with t he drill and a 3/8" bit. This will be the hole that the shift linkage will bolt to during the reinstallation.
*** The next part is optional and will require the use of a new shift knob or some major re-threading of the hardened steel shift rod. I opted to cut about 1 ½" off of the shift rod and replace the factory shift boot and knob with aftermarket piec es
Yes, you heard me correctly, AFTERMARKET replacements for the knob and boot. You can use almost any shift knob that you can find, so long as it has set screws to hold it in place. I chose the Isotta Drake in dark gray with carbon fiber accents. I got mine from NOPI for 45 bucks. The boot was also from NOPI, 30 bucks. Below you can see pictures of my completed installation.
Shifting is shortened a good bit, but its not super short. Also, this mod only shortens the front-to-rear shift distance. Side-to-side distance is not affected.
There is a mod to change the side-to-side throw distance, but Im saving that for next time.
Please direct any questions, comments, or concerns to me. chris@stormowners.com |
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