HOW TO: Shorten Stock Shifter

[Atticaz]

NOTE: This does NOT shorten your throw by much. You will need a Short Shifter Plate for that.

But, if you are fond of not spending a ridiculous amount on a shifter, not feeling like a truck driver, are somewhat happy with your stock shifter and just want it a bit lower, this thread is for you.

Disclaimer: I will not be held responsible for messed up shifters. Do this at your own risk.


I got fed up with “overpriced” short shifters and “shotty” knock-offs (Ralco RZ) and chose to jump on the grenade.

The thread pattern of the stock thread pattern is 10mm x 1.25.

Step 1: Ace Hardware Trip!!



Step 2: Next, remove your shift knob and boot.

**This next step is optional. It really depends if you want to go a little bit beyond that point.**

***Also, you will want to protect the ball joint, by covering it, to ensure that no metal shavings fall into the area.***

Step 3: Using vise grips, clamp down on the spot welded washer, to the side of one of the two weld locations. This can be determined by looking underneath. Mine was the from and back. Should be the same with all.



Step 4: Start to bend upward and downward until you hear a little snap. That would be the weld breaking. Do the same with the other side and remove the washer.



Step 5: Place 10mm x 1.25 die on the threading and screw it down until it stops. Of course, be careful not to cross-thread. It should just screw on smoothly.



Step 6: With a wrench (I used a large crescent wrench for leverage) start cranking it down to start cutting new threads. Be sure to go slow; a little at a time, backing it off a bit, from time to time, to break off the metal shavings.



Step 7: Determine how much you want to shorten, within reason, and cut the excess threading off. I used damp paper towels to catch all the metal saw dust.
*** If you choose not to unintall the shifter, as I did, TAKE YOUR TIME. You DO NOT want to mess up the threading or your interior.***



Here is how much I chose to remove.





Step 8: Replace the console/shift boot and shift knob.





BEFORE:


AFTER: This pic does not do it justice. The angle it off. It sits a bit lower than it looks.

[blackms3_71]

All this did was shorting the shift knob but it really doesnt make it a short shifter

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by blackms3_71 All this did was shorting the shift knob but it really doesnt make it a short shifter

That is all the TWM does. The throw is shorter. Plus, I have a SSP installed. My main reason for doing this is because I wanted to keep my TWM leather boot and not have such an ultra high stick shift. Oh and FUCK paying $275 for shifters that fail and are designed wrong (Cobb).

Also, I named this thread "shorten stock shifter". Not make stock shifter short throw.

Plus, the way our shifters are designed, there is not way to lengthen the pivot point to make it a true short shifter. Therefore, aftermarket shifters for our cars, themselves, are not really short shifters.

[Atticaz]

All in all, I am happy with the fact that I get to keep my stock shifter and not feel like a truck driver. I have a SSP. That is my short shifter.

[blackms3_71]

Originally Posted by Atticaz All in all, I am happy with the fact that I get to keep my stock shifter and not feel like a truck driver. I have a SSP. That is my short shifter.

Well very nice glad it worked out well!

[p057]

Originally Posted by Atticaz and not have such an ultra high stick shift.

go drive the previous gen GTI. jesus christ talk about ultra high stick shifts :/


I've been considering doing this for a while, looks a lot better.

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by p057 go drive the previous gen GTI. jesus christ talk about ultra high stick shifts :/ I've been considering doing this for a while, looks a lot better.

Yeah. Those are pretty tall. My previous car, Protege5 was tall as shizzle too.

[ABOSWORTH]

Nice job! Might have to look into this as I'm not feeling spending a ton of money for an aftermarket shifter.

[macdiesel]

Originally Posted by Atticaz Yeah. Those are pretty tall. My previous car, Protege5 was tall as shizzle too.

The svt focus had a pretty high tractor shifter in there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[macdiesel]

Did you take the shifter down to the washer? Looks good. Might notice the shortened length with a different knob.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by macdiesel Did you take the shifter down to the washer? Looks good. Might notice the shortened length with a different knob. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I threaded down to where the washer was, if that's what you mean. That's about a far as you can go with the thread tool. If i get a different knob or drill deeper into the stock knob, it would be lower. I am happy with how it sits, now.

I don't feel like a truck driver and I still get enough leverage to have a smooth shift. I also have my SSP almost maxed out to shorten the throw.

Originally Posted by Johnasaurus I like it, I use a short shifter plate also. this will just lower the profile of the shifter in the cab of the car. this was never meant to make it a short shifter.

Hence the title "Shorten Stock Shifter".

[Johnasaurus]

i was agreeing with your earlier post.

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by Johnasaurus i was agreeing with your earlier post.

I know. I just said that so that others don't think this will actually shorten the throw a significant amount. I added a note in the beginning. I should have done that in the first place.

[pwdunmore]

Originally Posted by Atticaz I know. I just said that so that others don't think this will actually shorten the throw a significant amount. I added a note in the beginning. I should have done that in the first place.

You're right, if people remember how geometry works you effectly shortend the distance the lever moves. Thus it will take more force to move the lever but I doubt its noticable.

Good idea though!

[Johnasaurus]

I like it, I use a short shifter plate also. this will just lower the profile of the shifter in the cab of the car. this was never meant to make it a short shifter.

[CaseyBueno]

This is rad! I'm kinda nervous to do something permanent like that to my whip, but it looks like a good option. Asthetically, i like it a lot. I had a short shift kit in my old '04 v6 accord. Fucking loved it.

[anavrinIV]

For cleaner threads use a die handle and cutting oil, this will keep the die flat and the oil will decrease the friction and clean up the cuts. Also if you put a 10x1.25 nut below the point where you're cutting you can unthread it after you cut the shifter to length and straighten out any threads that were bent or moved when cutting.

Personally I don't like how low the stock shift knob is, I put an extender on mine and love it.

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by anavrinIV For cleaner threads use a die handle and cutting oil, this will keep the die flat and the oil will decrease the friction and clean up the cuts. Also if you put a 10x1.25 nut below the point where you're cutting you can unthread it after you cut the shifter to length and straighten out any threads that were bent or moved when cutting. Personally I don't like how low the stock shift knob is, I put an extender on mine and love it.

Yeah I totally forgot the oil. But, it is out of sight and works. I managed to cut so straight that the thread stayed perfect. Great idea on the nut to do that. I will remember it for any other threading projects.

[chapdawg]

how well would the shift boot stay up?

[Atticaz]

Originally Posted by chapdawg how well would the shift boot stay up?

It didn't stay up too well. But I am going to dremel two slots and add a retaining ring clip, like the TWM and Ralco shifter use.



For now I am using tape on the underside to hold it up. Works good for now and is out of sight. But Summertime in AZ will melt that crap. The retaining ring clip is the way to go.