I got a stiffer shifter for pennies!
6/7/05, 08:22 PM
#1
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: April 25, 2005
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
“If you fix your brand new Mustang with a couple of nails and a hose clamp…You just might be a redneck!” 
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
Steeda has some replacement bushings that tighten it up but by the time you ship just them, you've got $15./20 .
6/7/05, 09:17 PM
#3
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: March 19, 2005
Location: Santa Clara
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by LimeGT@June 7, 2005, 9:25 PM
“If you fix your brand new Mustang with a couple of nails and a hose clamp…You just might be a redneck!”
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
“If you fix your brand new Mustang with a couple of nails and a hose clamp…You just might be a redneck!”
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
(it's not that I don't believe you - I just have no idea what's going on as I've never owed a stick before and don't know much about cars anyway - althought I'm learning; just curious) 
6/8/05, 08:06 AM
#6
Bullitt Member
Join Date: April 19, 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
6/8/05, 04:40 PM
#7
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: April 25, 2005
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by ILikeBond@June 7, 2005, 11:20 PM
:scratch: I don't get it. How's that help? (it's not that I don't believe you - I just have no idea what's going on as I've never owed a stick before and don't know much about cars anyway - althought I'm learning; just curious)
:scratch: I don't get it. How's that help?
(it's not that I don't believe you - I just have no idea what's going on as I've never owed a stick before and don't know much about cars anyway - althought I'm learning; just curious) The steel rod part of the shifter that connects to the handle on top and to the shift mechanism on the bottom, is basically two pieces. Between the two pieces is the rubber insulator. It was probably designed to minimize vibration and noise and the make the shifter more comfortable. It also gives it a vague and floppy feel IMO. The little nails 'push' the two pieces together to form one, sort of. I haven't noticed any increase in vibration or noise and it is more accurate, even if just slightly. Very important for that 2-3 shift.
It's good to be curious, ask questions and you will learn.
6/11/05, 02:27 AM
#11
GT Member
Join Date: September 30, 2004
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it just me or is it almost impossible to miss the 2-3 shift anyway?
Its like 6" at the most!
I'm not the greatest driver in the world, but I'd have to say you would almost have to go out of your way to miss a shift with the stock 5 speed shifter.
Call me crazy but I like it just the way it is
Its like 6" at the most!
I'm not the greatest driver in the world, but I'd have to say you would almost have to go out of your way to miss a shift with the stock 5 speed shifter.
Call me crazy but I like it just the way it is
6/11/05, 05:31 AM
#12
Shelby GT350 Member
Join Date: May 17, 2005
Location: Chesapeake, VA
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by idobson@June 11, 2005, 3:30 AM
I'm not the greatest driver in the world, but I'd have to say you would almost have to go out of your way to miss a shift with the stock 5 speed shifter.
I'm not the greatest driver in the world, but I'd have to say you would almost have to go out of your way to miss a shift with the stock 5 speed shifter.
6/11/05, 01:54 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: April 23, 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Mongoose@June 10, 2005, 8:35 PM
I don't think I have ever see a rednecks fix over the heads of a city boy but I see its true. Rednecks ROLL ON.
I don't think I have ever see a rednecks fix over the heads of a city boy but I see its true. Rednecks ROLL ON.
6/11/05, 07:09 PM
#14
Bullitt Member
Join Date: March 8, 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Redfire1@June 11, 2005, 1:57 PM
I Rednecked my shifter too! I bought a Hurst T handle that fits late model Mustangs. The threads are just right for my Steeda Tri Ax. Then I used a combination of washers, jam nuts, and a piece of copper house plumbing to adapt the boot to the shift handle! Works fine, looks ok. Im in the process of buying a shift handle off FleaBay now. Will do a fancier job of fabricating and will get it rechromed. Then Ill have a nice chrome T handle and a chrome stick as well.
I Rednecked my shifter too! I bought a Hurst T handle that fits late model Mustangs. The threads are just right for my Steeda Tri Ax. Then I used a combination of washers, jam nuts, and a piece of copper house plumbing to adapt the boot to the shift handle! Works fine, looks ok. Im in the process of buying a shift handle off FleaBay now. Will do a fancier job of fabricating and will get it rechromed. Then Ill have a nice chrome T handle and a chrome stick as well.
.
6/11/05, 08:11 PM
#15
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: April 25, 2005
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by emperorjordan@June 10, 2005, 11:38 PM
so the clamp doesnt hold the nails in place, in just prevents them form comming UP and out? or does it actually strap them to the shift rod?
so the clamp doesnt hold the nails in place, in just prevents them form comming UP and out? or does it actually strap them to the shift rod?
6/27/05, 12:11 PM
#16
Originally posted by LimeGT@June 7, 2005, 8:25 PM
“If you fix your brand new Mustang with a couple of nails and a hose clamp…You just might be a redneck!”
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
“If you fix your brand new Mustang with a couple of nails and a hose clamp…You just might be a redneck!”
This mod is pretty backwoods, but it works!
First, let me say that one of these days I do plan on replacing my manual shifter, probably with a Hurst. Until then, I have found a very inexpensive way to remove a lot of the slop that is inherent to the Mustang shifter. It was very easy to do and I was very surprised at how much this changed the feel of the shifter, for the better.
Here’s what I did:
1.Detached shifter boot from shifter handle and unscrewed and removed shifter handle.
2.Removed shifter boot. At this point in the process it looked like photo #1. There is a rubber insulator between the two parts of the shifter handle. This is where a lot of the shifter “sloppiness” exists.
3.I drove two 5/8” long ribbed nails (shown in photo #2) into the insulator at approximately 5 and 7 o’clock. (A flat punch made this job much easier.) The nails needed to fit tight to work correctly. Photo #3 shows the nails inserted into the insulator.
4.I then placed a small hose clamp on the shifter and against the nails (shown in photo #4). This is just a little insurance to help keep the nails from working themselves loose.
5.Replaced the shifter boot and shifter handle.
This is far from being a replacement shifter, but it will hold me over until I afford the Hurst. The best part is the cost and the ease of installation. It cost almost nothing and took about 15 minutes to complete.
6/27/05, 03:55 PM
#17
Bullitt Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: April 25, 2005
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by davids2toys@June 27, 2005, 2:14 PM
Are there any tricks or problems in detaching/removing and replacing the boot? Thanks, Dave
Are there any tricks or problems in detaching/removing and replacing the boot? Thanks, Dave
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tj@steeda
2015 - 2023 MUSTANG
0
9/16/15 06:44 PM