Do-it-yourself short shifter

[LoungeLizard]

I did this to my old focus and didn't have the money for a real short shifter. I took off the shift knob, boot, and all the pieces that make up the interlock. If anyone else has ever taken apart the shock shofter you will see that about 6-7" down on the shaft there is plastic around the shifter. I cut the shifter with a hacksaw right where the plastic started, so it took off about 6-7" of the shifter, and then grinded about 2" of the plastic off so the shifter would fit properly. I re-attatched the shift boot with a new zip-tie and off I went. The stock shifter is already a "short-throw", so this makes it even shorter since the shaft isnt as long. I did this about a week ago but didn't post about it untill now because I wanted to make sure everything still worked, and it does.The shift knob only cost $10 at pepboys, so I think it was money well spent. You can't put it into reverse while you are driving, and the way the spacing is on the shifter you would have to move it WAY over to the right to put it into reverse from 5th. If I can find a digital camera I will post pics.

[superbird]

i think thats really risky.... stuck in 1 gear if u scew up....

[socalsilverRL]

The linkage on the bottom portion (the part of the shifter that is located below the ball&socket part) of the B&M shifter is about 1" longer than stock (making it a shorter throw). Shortening the top of the shaft will only make it harder to shift (less leverage)

[NoRemorse]

Originally Posted by socalsilverRL

The linkage on the bottom portion (the part of the shifter that is located below the ball&socket part) of the B&M shifter is about 1" longer than stock (making it a shorter throw). Shortening the top of the shaft will only make it harder to shift (less leverage)

well, actually, both make equally it harder (no such thing as a free lunch in engineering im afraid). Making one longer, or the other short does the exact same thing, just one lowers where the handle is (which may or may not be ok with you)

[LoungeLizard]

You can say what you want about it, but it dosen't take any more effort, and I haven't missed a shift since.

[vandy0419]

Also with the reverse lock out, cutting the top portion will make it a bitch to get into reverse if I'm not mistaken. It takes pulling it almost the whole way up for us just to get from the reverse engaged.

[NoRemorse]

Originally Posted by vandy0419

Also with the reverse lock out, cutting the top portion will make it a bitch to get into reverse if I'm not mistaken. It takes pulling it almost the whole way up for us just to get from the reverse engaged.

bingo.....

[LoungeLizard]

Putting it into reverse is a piece of cake. go all the way to the right and pull down. Every part of the reverse lockout is removed.

[NoRemorse]

Originally Posted by LoungeLizard

Putting it into reverse is a piece of cake. go all the way to the right and pull down. Every part of the reverse lockout is removed.

But i like the reverse lock out!

Seriously though, I think on out cars, that is the only thing keeping you from doing a 5-R shift. Most cars wont let you do it, but you can from any other gear, but I thought on our car, we got a lock out ring instead.

[WopOnTour]

Originally Posted by NoRemorse

But i like the reverse lock out!

Me too! It's a great driveway/shop door party gag to ask a smart-ass buddy/racer boi to move your car and he cant get it into R
(tell everyone to point and laugh)
Wop