Getrag shifter modification

[JZellers]

I've heard complaints in the past about the 1st gen shifters being harder to reach than they should, especially shifting into and out of 5th. I decided to try heating and bending mine to see if I could make it more comfortable and it was so much better that I decided to post a thread here to help those whose right arm is now a half inch longer due to reaching so far



Upon removing the lever I found that it was hollow, so I was hesitant to heat it but decided to try it anyway. I marked the bend areas above the level of the ash tray. Otherwise, the shifter would have hit the tray shifting into first, which would be a problem for those of us who regularly have accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. For each of the two bends, I heated about 2" of the lever - keeping heat on the outside of the bend area while creating the bend by hand. The whole job took less than 1 hour including the time to let the paint dry. I've attached a pic to show the results. For me. this mod was about as good as adding the Borgeson It made a big difference, so I hope this helps!

 

[KeithTaylor]

Looks great! I'm getting ready to down my truck for a trans rebuild, so I may do a little torch work on my shifter while it's out!

 

[TKingsbury]

Looks good. I too thought the shifter position was a joke, but I went a different route. I only bent the solid part that is in the trans. I didn't want to shorten the length of the handle by putting bends in it. Yes, mine interferes with the ashtray in 1st and 3rd, but you can have somthing plugged in because the ashtray can be about 1/2 way open in the upper shifter positions. I don't smoke, so the ahstray only has to accomodate plug-in stuff. Like you, I believe repositioning the handle was one of the best driveability mods that can be made.

Travis. .

 

[GGott]

Bought a shifter out of a '93 - it has the flat bar, two bolt, mounting plate. Cut the lower portion off, below the bend, and discarded it. Slid a piece of round stock into the cut end, and measured where to cut the straight shifter in the '91. Cut the straight shifter and slid the two pieces together. Removed the straight shifter and buzzed them together. The shifter is now 3/4" shorter and shifts with about the same effort. The screw on type '91 shifter still is able to keep the injection moulded rubber vibration dampener intact. A friend had heated his and bent it but it later cracked and broke... Clear as mud?... . Greg

 

[JLEONARD]

Maybe the shifter is in a different spot on the W and D trucks??... . I think mine is in just the right position actually... I would't want it any closer or lower... or maybe I just got used to it?

Jay

 

[1stgen4evr]

shifter mod

I like the looks of what was done. Sure looks profesional, but what I really want is a different cap that has the entire shift tower in a more rearward position. That is probably the most significant thing about the nv4500. Some one with plenty of time and money should offer a new cap that has such. It would allow a shorter stick which would in turn have the feel of a short throw.



Like Jay, I have gotten used to the shifter on the 93. I am sure that my long upper body and equally long arms make it easier for me. I have changed/bent shifters myself on other trucks but haven't gone to the trouble on this one. Probably shoud have as many hours as I spend in the truck.



James

 

[JZellers]

Thanks, guys. I was worried about it cracking and breaking too which is why I was extra careful while bending so that there were no creases. So far so good... It didn't occur to me that the shifter was going to be shorter when finished until Travis mentioned it. It's about 1/2" shorter now, but since it's also 2" closer it seems to make up for it, but you can tell it makes a little shorter throw. Incidentally, from the picture I posted it looks like the shifter is sitting on or very close to the seat, but it's an illusion - there's really 4 inches of space under there, as the intent was just to move the knob to the left, not the seat