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After I installed
my short-shift adapter I was happier with the shorter throws,
which removed about 1/2" to 1" off the gear throw by relocating
the cable linkages on the shifter. But that just wasn't enough. I've
long felt that my shifter was just too tall which contributes to the
movement that is required to select a gear.
You can see here that the stock shifter was 8" tall. I finally
decided to cut the shifter down about two inches. You can only cut
it 2 inches since there is a bend in the rod that would prevent proper
threading any lower. |
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To cut the shifter, you need a dremel or other cutting
tool. To rethread the shifter, you need a metric tap and die set (you
only need the dies though). The original threads are M10x1.5. However,
the metal rod is 13mm. Taking off more than 1mm of a metal at a time
is very difficult, especially by hand, so I recommend going through
all the die sizes one at a time: M13x1.5, M12x1.5, M11x1.5, M10x1.5.
I bought a tap and die set on sale at JC
Whitney but it only came with sizes M12x1.5 and M10x1.5. I ended
up starting with a 1/2" standard die just to get the thick metal
started then switched to the M12. I had to buy a M11x1.5 as going
from 12 to 10 proved to be extremely difficult. I checked Home Depot
and Sears and after searching the web, I found that Snap-On
has a fine selection of tools in every size you could need. |
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| Once you have all the tools, you're ready to go! First
you need to remove the shift boot and knob. These two are connected
by a chrome plastic collar. Grasp the boot firmly just under the chrome
ring and you should feel the collar. |
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| Pull firmly downward and the boot and collar should
separate from the shift knob. |
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| Unscrew the shift knob (lefty-loosey, righty-tighty).
Mine was not difficult and just needed a firm twist. Some people,
however, have said theirs was extremely tight and they needed a clamp
or vise grip to get it loose. |
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Since you'll be cutting metal, you should have something
to collect the shavings. You could use a plastic bag which I started
with (you'll see in some of the later pictures) but the bottom of
a plastic milk jug works much better.
If using a plastic bag, push the plastic bag down on the shifter so
that it pokes a hole in it. If using a plastic jug cut it down to
the bottom 2" then cut a small X in the center of the bottom.
Push the shifter through the hole you've created. |
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| Push the tray/bag pretty far down, past the bend in
the shifter, then tape around the hole to secure it and to seal the
hole so no shavings drop through. Now you're ready to start the real
work! |
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| Preparing the Shifter | Cutting
the Shifter |
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