BD short-shift kit for 6-speed

[ntenna]

Just put mine on. WHOO-HOO! Big improvement, gates are clean, get 5th everytime easy, up or down. New Venture should be shipping them this way.....

 

[krabman]

Seems like I read about quite a few people that say they have a hard time on the 4th to 5th change. On mine the 2nd to 3rd is the one that doesnt want to go.

 

[Duck]

Just finished with mine also. Shifts like a dream now. It really does feel like more than the 20% or 30% they claim.



My feet need to catch up with my arm now. I find myself settled into gear, and my clutch/gas feet are still waiting like they used to!

 

[FM]

I have the same problem Krabman, 2nd to 3rd. I have the BD on the way but I don't think it will help the 2/3 shift. Feels like gear speed the syncros can't accomodate. Still I'm looking forward to the short shift.

 

[krabman]

Mine makes the shift just fine as long as I shift it just the way it wants but otherwise I have to bang it in. All the other gears will synch over a pretty wide range of operating conditions. The short shift did nothing to change that but its still a nice little bomb.

 

[Bill Littlefield]

What is it?

Can someone explain what a "Short Shift" kit is in a little more detail?



Thanks

 

[ntenna]

It's a revised shift pivot arm with about a 1" shift tower riser which combine to drop the shift throw by 20%. You get a bit more clearance for that cup smoothie, too



As Krabman says, "It's a nice little bomb!"

 

[Tomscreek]

hmmmmmm, mine shifts smooth in all gears all the time. The shorter throw and more room would be nice, not sure it's worth $200. though.

 

[ntenna]

Understand the $$ issue, but I will say that the quality of the kit that BD has put together is pretty impressive. Considering what that pivot looks like, I'm not sure they could sell it much cheaper and still keep that kind of work in it.....



John H.

 

[Duck]

I think the price is slightly high. I hesitated at $200, but wouldn't have if it were $150. It's worth every penny of that when I'm speed shifting in the 3-5 range.



Worth $200? Pretty close. I can say I'd rather spend $200 on this than $450 on an airbox setup.

 

[Tomscreek]

Let me clarify my above post where I said I'm not sure it's worth $200. It looks like a very quality item and I'm sure it's WORTH $200. "worth" is relative. I meant that I don't think I want to spend $200. on it.

 

[bighammer]

I took measurements before and after and it's a 30% reduction in throw.

 

[Fireman]

Tomscreek,



It's your money suit yourself, but I am not dissapointed. Just got back from a little trip towing my fiver and I have to agree with ntenna, it's a sweet little bomb.



Fireman

 

[wsteffes]

Just recieved and installed 6 sp short shift kit I ordered through Geno's when the TDR group purchase was on.

One problem- someone forgot to tell me that I needed to drill out the holes on the metal backing on the rubber isolator.

Not a big problem but I had it all gunked up with gasket compound and in place when I discovered the metal bushings wouldn't fit through it.

My truck is a real early model 03 HO 2500.



When I went to align the shift label I had a thought.



Went and found my old Hurst T shift handle that I've saved from my 69 Dodge 440 six pack. Yep it would work!

Had to cut off about 1 3/4 inchs on the shift lever to get the right diameter for the T handle, a little filing to get a real tight fit.

Now I got a shorter short shift kit.



Bill

 

[rossiride]

what a group deal? would someone bring me up to speed on that or did i already miss out? my trucks on order but i'd buy the kit now if i got a little better deal on it.



'03 slt quad 2500 HO 4X4 lwb ..... 2 weeks on order..... waiting and waiting:{

'91 w250 4X4 ... ... 265,000 miles and still humming like it's new

 

[FM]

I posted this yesterday in another thread. At the time I couldn't find this one. Pretty much the same experience as you Bill.



Recieved mine Tuesday. Installed Friday, went like this: removed shift tower and laid it out on a bench and switched the parts just like the directions said. Put silicone on both sides of the spacer and put it on the trans, just like the directions said. Put the isolator on the spacer, just like the directions said. Put silicone on the bottom of the shift tower and put it on the isolator, just like the directions said. Put the first bushing in the shift tower, just like the directions said, and down to the metal plate on the isolator where it bottomed out, NOT like the directions said. So I called BD and explained the situation which was new to whom I was talking. He said he'd call me back in 1/2 hr. I started cleaning up all the fresh silicone and finished so 2 hrs later when I hadn't heard anything I said the hell with it and drilled my isolator and dry fit everything only to find the bushings that came with the shift kit are too short. So I called BD back and spoke with the first guy who connected me with the second guy who said "use the factory bushings". Only problem was that since I drilled the isolator they would now do no good. So now I need either a new isolator or longer bushings. By the way, they told me they have revised the kit by drilling the spacer for the bolt dia. and reusing the factory bushings. If I have to spring for a new isolator I expect BD to send me the revised spacer. BD is going to get back to me next week.



Those bushings need to be the correct length. They limit the compression allowed to be placed on the composit shift tower and the rubber component of the isolator. My concern is that if the bolts are torqued to spec, or even close, with the short bushings that sometime down the road that composite shift tower is going to break up and wind up in the trans.



So what do yall think? Am I getting my shorts in a wad over nothing?

Fred

 

[Duck]

They must have fixed this recently, as I didn't have any troubles at all with my kit (purchased Mid-April).



Went in pretty smooth, once I got my head on straight about applying the silicone to the areas that make contact



I even had to adjust the little shift pattern diagram on the knob, that went better than expected too. I was worried about tearing something, but that stuff's pretty plyable.

 

[rmcnamee]

Just placed my order using their website, but it didn't ask for my credit card. I wonder if they're going to call me to confirm the order, then ship it.



Ryan

 

[rmcnamee]

Just got mine installed today and what a difference. It shifts awesome now! Just a hint to all of those who haven't done the install yet. There is a thin metal bracket attached to the front left hand bolt of the shift tower. Attached to this bracket is a plastic eletrical loom and a rubber hose. After installing the spacer, the bracket no longer reaches the mounting hole on the shift tower. If you pull up on the bracket, it will reach to the mounting hole, however, this will allow the eletrical loom and rubber hose to rub againt the metal edge of the hole in the floor where the shift tower comes through. To alleviate this problem, pull up on the bracket, disconnect the plastic ring that is used to attached the electrical loom and rubber hose to the bracket and reattach it using the lower hole on the bracket. Reinstall the bracket as it was before and the electrical conduit and rubber hose should no longer be touching the metal edge of the hole in the floor.



All in all, a very easy mod that only took about an hour to complete with basic hand tools.



Ryan

 

[ntenna]

An extra hint on this install; use the good (I mean reallly good, like $12 a tube) anerobic silicone/RTV. Unless you want that synthetic lube to seep out... ...



JH