celica83_gts
05-10-2005, 09:09 PM
Well, instead of posting a question or problem, I'll break the ice with a how-to.
Here's a link to a writeup of a DIY short shifter I've built. http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4675 The pics are pretty self explanatory. This is a W58 shifter, I am not familiar with any others but the idea should be pretty universal. It's basically 2 shifter towers put together to raise the pivot point with an extension on the lower section of the lever.
My only warning on this is to make your extension STRONG. Crappy welding (like mine!) will NOT suffice, especially with hard shifts. Since I had one of these built by a skilled welder though, I've had many years of service from it.
This mod can raise the pivot as much as 1 inch, making the throws VERY short, but I found this to be insufficient leverage for comfortable driving, especially with cold gear oil. With a 1/2 inch raise on mine the throws are much shorter than stock and effort is not objectionable. The beauty of this though, is that you can make the throws to suit your own desires, instead of having a manufacturer decide for you!
Here's a link to a writeup of a DIY short shifter I've built. http://www.celica-gts.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4675 The pics are pretty self explanatory. This is a W58 shifter, I am not familiar with any others but the idea should be pretty universal. It's basically 2 shifter towers put together to raise the pivot point with an extension on the lower section of the lever.
My only warning on this is to make your extension STRONG. Crappy welding (like mine!) will NOT suffice, especially with hard shifts. Since I had one of these built by a skilled welder though, I've had many years of service from it.
This mod can raise the pivot as much as 1 inch, making the throws VERY short, but I found this to be insufficient leverage for comfortable driving, especially with cold gear oil. With a 1/2 inch raise on mine the throws are much shorter than stock and effort is not objectionable. The beauty of this though, is that you can make the throws to suit your own desires, instead of having a manufacturer decide for you!