Shift Lever Extensions

[HeavyHauler]

I was riding along today and noticed that every time I shift into 5th gear that I strech about a foot to get it in gear. I have pretty long legs and like to be comfortable so I set the seat back as far as it will go. Consequently, that puts my arm at a strain when I shift.



Does anyone know where I can get a shifter extension or anyone that could make a totally new shift lever several inches longer than the original? I think that it would be very functionable and it would also give the shifter more of a big rig look. The longer length would give the shifter a more exaggerated tilt which I think would make for easier shifts.



What do you think?

 

[pwknapp]

I picked up a pistol grip at a large truck stop for the 5spd and the transfer case. Took a 1/2"x 6" stainless bolt and drilled and tapped it to fit the shift lever. (8mm x 1. 25 I think) Heated the bolt and added a nice bend to it and locktite took care of the rest. For the transfer case lever I just screwed in a 1/2" bolt into the new handle and drilled and tapped to fit. Don't forget to add a jam nut.

 

[HeavyHauler]

That sounds like a good plan, too.



I was just sitting here thinking about how good a chrome shift lever would look. I wish I could find one or find someone to make me a solid lever - I really wanted to avoid screwing on another shaft and then attaching the knob to that. I may have to though if I really want to do this.



I'm really after a full replacement lever - preferably in chrome or stainless but I would take black in a heartbeat if I could find one that would work.



Thanks for the reply.

 

[bgilbert]

Eaton Fuller

How bout one of these?? Added at least 3-4" to my shifter lever. Bill

 

[Froadin]

What about getting a short shift setup? They cost a good amount, but it reduces how far you need to actually move the shifter.

I could stand a better shift knob though, never very fond of the stock one.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Re: Eaton Fuller

Originally posted by bgilbert

How bout one of these?? Added at least 3-4" to my shifter lever. Bill

Don't take this the wrong way but I think that would look kind of silly in a little Dodge compared to what that's supposed to go in. Seems kind of wannabe-ish to me. But to each his own. It would definitely extend the lever - but the hi/lo range switch serves no purpose and I don't have 13 gears - if I ever figure out a way to do this, I want it to look clean and factory-like.



Thanks for the replies.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

You do realize that a longer lever is going to make the throw alot longer right? I was messing around with some homemade shift knobs that I made out of stainless and one of them was a straight tall one like you may see on a ten or fifteen speed, this added a couple inches to the stick height and I didn't like it at all, it made the throw too long and things felt sloppy. When I put my stock ball back on I wound it all the way on so that it was lower than before and I really like the feel now. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bgilbert]

The E/F knob sure helps you find and feel the gears quicker. Since I don't use the clutch, it makes it easier to float gears. Some members that have done gone to this knob, have put the black- range selector flipper and the red OD split to use, one for exhaust brake on/off, the other for a 2 wheel low on/off. Or if you dont like the switches in the way, there are many variations of an Eaton Fuller knob, 5,6,7 speeds same size only no range selector/switch. Bill

 

[HeavyHauler]

Originally posted by Turbo Tim 1

You do realize that a longer lever is going to make the throw alot longer right? I was messing around with some homemade shift knobs that I made out of stainless and one of them was a straight tall one like you may see on a ten or fifteen speed, this added a couple inches to the stick height and I didn't like it at all, it made the throw too long and things felt sloppy. When I put my stock ball back on I wound it all the way on so that it was lower than before and I really like the feel now. Just my 2 cents.

This is a good point, Tim. I figured that it would make the throw longer which didn't really bother me in the beginning but now that I think about it - it might. My ideal setup would actually probably be a short shift setup with an extended lever. That would eliminate the long throws but it would still get the height up there so I wouldn't have to reach for it.

Originally posted by bgilbert

Or if you dont like the switches in the way, there are many variations of an Eaton Fuller knob, 5,6,7 speeds same size only no range selector/switch.

Hey now I hadn't thought of that - a five speed knob would make sense in my truck and it would also add to the length. I suppose that it might also add to the flare of the truck as well.



This is why I love this place - all of you guys are full of great suggestions. It sounds like you all know what I want better than I do.



Thanks again for the replies.



-HH

 

[Kalaehina]

I have Bob V. s E/F knob kit and it made shifting alot easier. Easier to hit the gears, seems like more control over stick.

 

[Kalaehina]

And before I got Bob's kit, I was planning on putting an E/F without the switches anyway, but when I found out that Bob's E/F switches can be used then I decided to go with that. Having the e-brake at my finger tips is very handy.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

How would one go about ordering one of them there purty E/F shift knobs?



I've always really wanted one... now that I have a truck to bolt one on... the time has come. :-laf



Matt

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

ordering e/f knobs

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset

How would one go about ordering one of them there purty E/F shift knobs?



I've always really wanted one... now that I have a truck to bolt one on... the time has come. :-laf



Matt

you can go to any local big rig dealer. (volvo, feightshaker, petercar, etc i priced a fuller super 10 knob that was around 40 bucks... . hope that helps...

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

matt i almost forgot... you'll have to build a bushing to make the fuller knob fit snug as the threads are different.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Thanks for the info.



I hate shopping at big-truck places... I'm like a kid in a candy shop with a $100 bill... . eyes bulging out of my head and drooling! :-laf



Plus I always get the: "What the heck are you gonna do with that!?"



Matt

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

lol. i know the feeling... when i got my fuller knob the guy asked what kind of tractor i had. i thought he was going to fall over laughing when i told him i was using it as a shift knob in a 3/4 ton dodge CTD... . oh well. i say to each his own...

 

[bgilbert]

Matt, if they want high dollar new, if you can find a big truck salvage yard, there cheaper. Local yard here, $15 for 10 speeds. $25 for 13 sp's. They had a ton of them in stock. As far as the threads go, they are NOT pipe threads, they are bolt threads. The E/F knob is 1/2". My getrag 5sp is 3/8", not sure what 2nd gens are. The info is there, in search mode, I remember, I could find everything on 2nd gen but no getrag E/F knob. What I found to be best adaptor sleeve/bushing, and trust me I was looking everywhere, go to Fastenal or other nut/bolt distrib, ask for Keysert* threaded inserts. 1/2" outside thread, inside whatever your shifter lever thread is, hopefully its not metric. Bill

 

[HoleshotHolset]

TD: Just tell the guy that you have a 'Dodge' tractor... that's a 359 Petercar at heart.



Bill - that's excellent info! Thank You! I don't really care how many speed transmission it used to control... so long as it has an electric switch/knob or two on it that I can use to control stuff in the future.



Thanks again,



Matt



On edit: I found a place that has the Keyserts... http://www.newmantools.com/key.htm - they're in Canada, eh? ... and Connecticut



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[Turbo Tim 1]

FYI, the ten speed will have one switch and the 13 speed will have two, they are air switches not electrical!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Crap. I thought some of them had electrical switches...



Matt