how to make your own short shifter

[DaviDawg]

parts needed:
1 shifter (yes, you already have one)

tools needed:
something to cut the shifter (power tools are best here)
welder or jb weld

1. remove your shifter
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00662.jpg
2. cut your shifter
i decided to remove 3 1/2 inches off the top and add 1 inch to the bottom
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00655.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00654.jpg
3. weld you shifter (remove paint from edges for better welds)
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00658.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00659.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00660.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00661.jpg
4. install your shifter
lol, too easy




before
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00662-1.jpg
after
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm254/davidawg/short%20shifter/DSC00661-1.jpg

[DaviDawg]

i know my welds are shitty! lol!

[fireguy]

looks like a degroted piece of crap lol, just kiddin man

[wifeszx2]

That looks terrible, I wouldn't put it in my car. Chances are under hard driving when really ripping through the gears it would break. It is not really a short shifter either, it's a shortened shifter, that's all. A true short shifter shortens the length of travel when shifting gears making it possible to switch gears quicker. An easier, quicker and safer way to shorten your shifter is to thread it all the way down, then just cut off the top 1.5", put the shift knob nack on and go.

[2000ZxT]

Dude. I just bought a short shifter for $13 on ebay.

[DaviDawg]

youre funny wifey. notice the extra 1 inch piece towrds the bottom of the shifter. that make it a short shifter. i rarely hear of welds breaking either. wifey is funny lol.

[tre2000zx2]

That looks terrible, I wouldn't put it in my car. Chances are under hard driving when really ripping through the gears it would break. It is not really a short shifter either, it's a shortened shifter, that's all. A true short shifter shortens the length of travel when shifting gears making it possible to switch gears quicker. An easier, quicker and safer way to shorten your shifter is to thread it all the way down, then just cut off the top 1.5", put the shift knob nack on and go.

if you notice he DID change the fulcrum point thus shortening the throw...

[DaviDawg]

thank you tre

[jdrzx2]

Creative, but I don't know if I'd use that...

[Twiggy2cents]

cmon guys he used an arc welder..if he would of ground down the welds and spray some paint on it you guys would like it...i did it to my car i used a mig tho and it looks cleaner...

and also i think it looks good...that weld is stronger than that hollow tube shifter

[DaviDawg]

why not? i put a shift knob and boot over it and its plenty strong for a shifter. youd never know it was a diy job with the knob and boot over it.

[DaviDawg]

you beat me to it.
btw thanks twiggy

[jdrzx2]

I wouldn't use it personaly, I'm in now way saying that the welds aren't strong. I'd rather just spend some money and get something shinny like the shifter I have in my car.

[Twiggy2cents]

...

[ZX2 Sleeper]

I wish i would known how to do this before i wasted my money on a shitty ebay one. Good job/write up!

[ImCrazy]

looks good dude to wifeszx2 you don't know much about how shifters work this is how you shorten throws lol by changing the point of leverage lol.

[1981gMachine]

I wouldn't use it personaly, I'm in now way saying that the welds aren't strong. I'd rather just spend some money and get something shinny like the shifter I have in my car.

Question is why? You don't see it so what's the point.


I like your mod. Maybe if time allows this weekend I'll put mine out and do the same. I already cut some off the top and bent it back more. Never thought of this thou. If I do I'll post pics just to add to this thread.

[ZX2 Sleeper]

after some thinking, i might just put my stock one back on, this stupid ebay one has a bit of play to it and its a little sketchy. Which way would it be better to bend it to? towards engine or towards trunk? Im a short guy so with this stupid ebay SS, i cant reach for shit!

[wifeszx2]

looks good dude to wifeszx2 you don't know much about how shifters work this is how you shorten throws lol by changing the point of leverage lol.

Obviously I do, because I explained it in my 1st reply. I had a short shifter in my ZX2. I've been tinkering with ZX2's since 99, Ive been on this site since it's beginning. My mistake, I didn't notice he shortened both ends at 1st. I still wouldn't use it, and I still don't like it, that's just my personal opinion. I remember how my stock shifter felt and how my short shiter felt. Agood short shifter, even a B&M or ZXTuner is alot tighter at the linkage. There is alot less play, better bushings and bearings in some cases depending on the shifter. Agreed, this mod when cleaned up and repainted would look better, maybe even perform a little better, but a real short shifter is still better.

[ImCrazy]

Obviously I do, because I explained it in my 1st reply. I had a short shifter in my ZX2. I've been tinkering with ZX2's since 99, Ive been on this site since it's beginning. My mistake, I didn't notice he shortened both ends at 1st. I still wouldn't use it, and I still don't like it, that's just my personal opinion.



No shit shirlock but you said it wasnt a short throw shifter which is it, if its welded good it should be just fine and if you don't wanna use it good for you. :shrug:

[1981gMachine]

after some thinking, i might just put my stock one back on, this stupid ebay one has a bit of play to it and its a little sketchy. Which way would it be better to bend it to? towards engine or towards trunk? Im a short guy so with this stupid ebay SS, i cant reach for shit!

Since i'm 6'1" and have to have the seat almost all the way back. I bent mine to the rear of the car. So 2nd gear is almost against the seat. But even being short you'd want to bend it towards the rear so you wouldn't have to reach as far forward.

2nd Gear
http://a643.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/88/l_e33c45f47578440f2684c495240fce02.jpg

[1981gMachine]

I don't see a how to. Could someone give me a quick idea on what I need to take off to get the shifter out. Obviously the through bolt that goes through the shifter. But what else, this way I wont have to dick around long getting it out. thanks

[wifeszx2]

That is a sweet shift knob, why a 13?

[wifeszx2]

No shit shirlock but you said it wasnt a short throw shifter which is it, if its welded good it should be just fine and if you don't wanna use it good for you. :shrug:

Why yes I did originally, and well, if you read my reply I admitted to my mistake. I didn't originally catch where he shortened both ends changing the fulcrum. Again, I apologize, and I still see some things haven't changed around here, even if the site is new. People still choose to curse, insult, etc. I won't use it because I don't have a MTX ZX2 anymore, and if I did, I just wouldn't.

[1981gMachine]

That is a sweet shift knob, why a 13?

everyone did an 8ball back in the day. 13 has always been one of my more fav numbers. Wore it in high school when I played baseball.

[wifeszx2]

Cool, it's good to see people stray from the ordinary and do their own thing.

[KnightJovian]

I did the same thing, except i put a piece of threaded metal down the middle of the hollow part, and welded it together... it puts much less stress on the welds... Just the simple things you can buy at home depot...

[1981gMachine]

How much needs to be added to the bottom to give it the same throw as a TWM? Or close to it. Like, what's too much?

[DaviDawg]

How much needs to be added to the bottom to give it the same throw as a TWM? Or close to it. Like, what's too much?

i scaled a twm from a picture on their site and it looks like an inch will do it.

[ImCrazy]

Why yes I did originally, and well, if you read my reply I admitted to my mistake. I didn't originally catch where he shortened both ends changing the fulcrum. Again, I apologize, and I still see some things haven't changed around here, even if the site is new. People still choose to curse, insult, etc. I won't use it because I don't have a MTX ZX2 anymore, and if I did, I just wouldn't.

you don't have to apologize to me, I also see that the site hasn't changed people still go out and make dumbass comments then get butt hurt when someone uses language too strong for them it wasn't a personal insult get over it man. I'm about the last person to flame people for no reason around here and cursing and insulting is a part of life as long as it isn't too personal i think its just fine to keep people in check. :shrug::violin:

No disrespect to ya buddy and im sorry if I came off a dick I just shoot straight and sometimes I'm a bit too straightforward and blunt for some :wiz:

-aaron.

[DaviDawg]

^ what he said

[wifeszx2]

you don't have to apologize to me, I also see that the site hasn't changed people still go out and make dumbass comments then get butt hurt when someone uses language too strong for them it wasn't a personal insult get over it man. I'm about the last person to flame people for no reason around here and cursing and insulting is a part of life as long as it isn't too personal i think its just fine to keep people in check. :shrug::violin:

No disrespect to ya buddy and im sorry if I came off a dick I just shoot straight and sometimes I'm a bit too straightforward and blunt for some :wiz:

-aaron.

Actually I was apologizing to the thread starter for my comments, since I failed to notice he shortened both ends. Yep, I made a dumb comment, but admitted I was wrong and yet you still felt the need to take a shot. What ever boost your ego man, I guess you are the Sheriff around here. Don't worry PARDNER, you dont have to "keep me in check". Speaking of, are you ADMIN or a MOD of some sort? The world's smallest violin playing just for me is a nice touch, you just don't know when to quit I guess. Next thing you know you'll be offering me some cheese to go with the wine? Your are not too straighforward for me, I am blunt too. I will not say I'm just like you, cuz we are not the same. I'm here to help, so far all youv'e shown me is you like to throw what ever weight you think you have around. We probably will not get along. Let's just end it here, don't reply to this and it's over, water under the bridge, then we can start over from scratch.

[ImCrazy]

Actually I was apologizing to the thread starter for my comments, since I failed to notice he shortened both ends. Yep, I made a dumb comment, but admitted I was wrong and yet you still felt the need to take a shot. What ever boost your ego man, I guess you are the Sheriff around here. Don't worry PARDNER, you dont have to "keep me in check". Speaking of, are you ADMIN or a MOD of some sort? The world's smallest violin playing just for me is a nice touch, you just don't know when to quit I guess. Next thing you know you'll be offering me some cheese to go with the wine? Your are not too straighforward for me, I am blunt too. I will not say I'm just like you, cuz we are not the same. I'm here to help, so far all youv'e shown me is you like to throw what ever weight you think you have around. We probably will not get along. Let's just end it here, don't reply to this and it's over, water under the bridge, then we can start over from scratch.

I really didn't mean to upset you dude. Don't take things so seriously. Oh and now that I notice your old S/N in your sig I wouldn't have said shit to you I didn't recognize you and through you were another n00b trying to come on and just talk shit sorry for the mixup.

[zxtuner98]

It could look better. More time to clean it up,so it lines up better and promotes better welds. A for effort man. It could be alot nicer, but the point is, you showed how you would go about making your own shifter.

[SloZx2]

Nice write-up....simple...it doesnt have to look good for us to understand and use it ourselves. Thanks again...once i get back to working on my zx2 i will do this then get my shit powdercoated and i wll post up some pics.

[JW_ZX2_98]

i am looking at pool balls so i can make a shifter like that and i was going to use a 13 ball. haha

[1981gMachine]

i am looking at pool balls so i can make a shifter like that and i was going to use a 13 ball. haha

Ha, I'm the 1st but you can be 2nd and join the club, lol.


As for the ST I will be doing mine after work today. If I can get it done in about an hour I'll have time to fire up the paint booth and Base/Clear it. If not I'll paint it tomorrow after I wake up.

[1981gMachine]

Ok, so after work today I took my shifter out and went to town. The end result is 40% shorter throws just by adding an inch to the bottom. I didn't section anymore off the top cuz I already cut 2in off the very top.

1st to 2nd use to be 5-1/4" now is 3-1/4" so if you do the math it's rounded to 40%. Technically 38.1% but 40 is a nice even number.

I did not insert a piece inside the hollow section. I trust my welds on a lot more important things other then shifters.

Pics of what I did:

1inch marked to be taken out
http://a362.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/50/l_71eb7ac276eb98bbb33dc8347a4b1b59.jpg

Chamfered the edges for good weld penetration
http://a832.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/18/l_c49af7e164339ac7c83f034b30c1a977.jpg

Mock up before wled
http://a392.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/46/l_41f88fe6b6beb041242eb644cde6ad0f.jpg

All welded
http://a13.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/32/l_a5c8e75f03a36329816f51549502bedc.jpg

Close up on a weld
http://a947.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/28/l_2f1584f3839dbc4ea455771b51f8fd22.jpg

Metal finished and ready for paint
http://a126.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/55/l_c827647548514c5f4d5888082ed198a5.jpg

Painted
http://a691.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/14/l_3bf9d108080e6916c99608c97aeecee2.jpg

Painted
http://a262.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/39/l_6036a19b8d3aa013a2a3cb15c0327ecd.jpg

[DaviDawg]

that is what im talking about!!!!!!!! awesome job!!!!!!!!!

[Twiggy2cents]

wow ...not gonna lie it looks good..but theres nothin different than the op's design thats proof that the only reason people dissed it is because it looked like crappy... function over form

[2KZX2]

Very nice. If it was me I would just buy a short throw shifter. If I tried that myself the shifter that I would make would make the first one look great. Besides if something goes wrong with the new shifter I would like to have something to go back to. I personally think that DaviDawg deserves some credit, yea he isn't the best welder/ fabricator, but he had a good idea, and went with it. On top of that he had the balls to post it on the forums, and share his idea. And of course someone went and did a better job (kudos to you 1981gMachine), but DaviDawg was the first.

[1981gMachine]

Very nice. If it was me I would just buy a short throw shifter. If I tried that myself the shifter that I would make would make the first one look great. Besides if something goes wrong with the new shifter I would like to have something to go back to. I personally think that DaviDawg deserves some credit, yea he isn't the best welder/ fabricator, but he had a good idea, and went with it. On top of that he had the balls to post it on the forums, and share his idea. And of course someone went and did a better job (kudos to you 1981gMachine), but DaviDawg was the first.

I'm not trying to steal his thunder. I did it for myself and to show it can look and work just as nice as the $140 ST. I spent 2hrs from start to finish from taking the shifter out to painting.

[00EscortZx2]

I was wondering how to do this!! I want my short throw to sit slower. +Rep!!

[wifeszx2]

Agreed, that shifter looks nice, still don't know if I could trust it. I would be afraid the welds would break when slamming into the gears. Threre us to be alot of weld on there, and you eliminated half of what was holding it together when you sanded it down. I don't know, it may hold up just fine, maybe I'm just a worry wort.

[2KZX2]

1981gMachine
I'm not trying to steal his thunder. I did it for myself and to show it can look and work just as nice as the $140 ST. I spent 2hrs from start to finish from taking the shifter out to painting.

Sorry I wasn't trying to downplay your work, I was just mad at all the people giving DaviDawg crap without trying this themselves. I really like how you did yours, and would be willing to buy one actually.
wifeszx2
Agreed, that shifter looks nice, still don't know if I could trust it. I would be afraid the welds would break when slamming into the gears. Threre us to be alot of weld on there, and you eliminated half of what was holding it together when you sanded it down. I don't know, it may hold up just fine, maybe I'm just a worry wort.


Maybe you do worry too much. I don't know about you, but I'm more concerned about my transmission fork breaking... again. I mean you really have to be shifting hard to break ether of these shifters. and i don't know where the B&M shifters are made, but if some Chinese factory worker is building these for a dollar a day (which I doubt is the case for B&M, but maybe a ebay shifter is more likely), I'd rather have ether of these shifters. but in a similar light there are some things that I can do to my car, but I pay someone else to do it, that way I know that it's done right.
Really it's all about where you draw the line with what you are comfortable with doing to your car, this apparently crossed your line, for others, it didn't. when you get down to it, it isn't that you are better or worse than anyone else in this thread. It is what you've been saying, this just isn't your style. And thats just fine.

[1981gMachine]

Agreed, that shifter looks nice, still don't know if I could trust it. I would be afraid the welds would break when slamming into the gears. Threre us to be alot of weld on there, and you eliminated half of what was holding it together when you sanded it down. I don't know, it may hold up just fine, maybe I'm just a worry wort.

You my friend don't know anything about welding so you should just stop before you get in too deep. I will put all the money you have that it will not ever break. I will take a 10lb sledge to it and all it will do is bend the shifter.

There is a difference in shifting quick and shifting like a retard. Since when does shifting quick involve 100lb's of force? Cuz no human will break a shifter.


Last note, slamming into gears will break everything else before the shifter would break.

[wifeszx2]

It is a good solution for those who really have to pinch pennies, but if you have the money to spare I would still get a TWM or B&M atleast. Back in my penny pinching days I would have done the same thing to my shifter if I would have thought of it.

[1981gMachine]

It is a good solution for those who really have to pinch pennies, but if you have the money to spare I would still get a TWM or B&M atleast. Back in my penny pinching days I would have done the same thing to my shifter if I would have thought of it.

You say this like we are poor. I have better things to spend my money on then this car.

[Twiggy2cents]

lol guys its an escort... if we all had "the money" we would be driving maybachs and austin martins..the whole point of this car is to be cheap

[ZX2guy19]

You say this like we are poor. I have better things to spend my money on then this car.

And some of us don't, hence why I have a TWM.

[1981gMachine]

Ok, this is a good thread but I think everyone needs to mind thier P's and Q's and only post if you have more input or questions. This is a cheap mod, you don't like don't post.

[wifeszx2]

I'm not saying everyone is poor, but like mentioned above, it is an Escort. I meant it like this. It's a good option for people who want a more expensive TWM, but can do this while gathering funds, waiting for the product to be in stock, waiting for it to ship, or just waiting for the time to install a short shifter they bought. I had a Keman intake while waiting on funds for a nicer looking higher priced cold air/short RAM intake. That's all I'm saying. True, I'm not a welder, but I've seen enough metal fabrication to know from experience that when most metal breaks . . . most of the time it breaks at the welds. It may not break, depending on how the driver treats it, another valid point. Some like it, some don't, it may last forever, it may not. I didn't like the way the 1st prototype looked, and I don't know if I'd trust it, those are just my opinions. I think the 2nd one looks great. There is also nothing wrong with trusting in a proven and know product like a TWM or B&M. If you saw the 1st prototype (in it's featured state) sitting on a shelf for $10 and a B&M sitting next to it for $50, you would probably buy the B&M. Now if the 2nd one was sitting on the shelf also for $20 next to a $60-$70 TWM, many people would probably buy it, including myself.

[corby_baby]

And some of us don't, hence why I have a TWM.

hince why i bought a twm from zx2guy lol

[wifeszx2]

Ok, this is a good thread but I think everyone needs to mind thier P's and Q's and only post if you have more input or questions. This is a cheap mod, you don't like don't post.

I agree, it is a good cheap mod. I do have a question. Can you let me know how it performs, and of course hold up?

[1981gMachine]

I agree, it is a good cheap mod. I do have a question. Can you let me know how it performs, and of course hold up?

As soon as I finish the car and get it on the road I'll write back with input.

[Twiggy2cents]

I agree, it is a good cheap mod. I do have a question. Can you let me know how it performs, and of course hold up?

i did this for my car a while ago (i.e. 5 months) and it hasnt broke yet...i did the same idea as the other two...CJW has done this before two if i remember right but i think it was for a friend

[DaviDawg]

as crappy as mine looks under the boot and knob, its still holding.

[Escort Pimp]

Wow no wonder people go through so many trannies. If you really think you would break welds due to your shifting you really need to re-evaluate what car your driving.

[wifeszx2]

he he, I use to drive mine like I stole it. I would rip through the gears when shifting, slamming it from one to the next. I wouldn't let off the gas, just press down the clutch, wind it up and pop her back out.

[ilarson007]

Now if only I could weld (and owned a welder, I suppose, lol).

[DaviDawg]

i bought my welder and for $150 and learned how to weld on one piece of advice. i was told while welding, hold and move along as the weld becomes a liquid. my welding has come a long ways since first trying.