Well I just finished installing my Hurst shifter. It was a challenge to install, but it's definetly doable. I ended up grinding down the back end of the shifter a little bit to help it slip into place. The throw is VERY short...very impressive. It is a little notchy and does take some effort to get into gear but to me it feels great! I have however started having a rattling kind of scraping noise after the install...probably my fault. Two thumbs up for hurst and I highly recommend it!

 

Wow the grinding to get it installed, effort to get it into gear,and scraping noise all has me sold!

 

OK. I know I am going to be sorry I asked this, but what grinding, I did not grind a thing

 

I installed a Hurst shifter yesterday. I think that he is talking about cutting the end of the shifter mount off. It is a very tight fit too get the shifiter through the hole in the floor,I noticed that if the mount was about 1/8. in shorter(or the hole was 1/8 in. bigger) it would slide right into place. It took some patience but it can be installed without cutting it.

The only place the I drove mine was from my friends garage to my house but so far I like it.

 

rambo hit it right on the dot. I didn't mean to scare anyone with what I said about the grinding. The shifter has been installed many times without having to grind it, but I had a grinder available and barely grinded off anything to make it easier on me. If that scares you, then get a shop to install it for you.

 

I love using the Dremel, not scared to grind anything, especially if it makes install easier. Got a Hurst on order!

 

Great. Can I drive it when you're done?
(I've been thinking about getting one)

 

Yep, come on down any weekend, or I'll let you drive it in Tallahasee.

 

I hardly ever even drive it anymore, consider yourself lucky!

 

I just installed the Hurst shifter that uses the stock shifter ****. From lessons learned on here (thanks to those who installed before me :worship: ), I thought it was pretty easy.

1. No grinding necessary. Matter of fact, mine practically fell through the hole, which surprised the heck out of me.
2. This is much easier if you have a deep 10mm socket, a cordless screwdriver with socket attatchment, and about 9 inches of 1/4 drive extensions.
3. Watch out, there are some sharp pieces of shredded aluminum under there, that'll make install a PITA. I took my combo wrench and flattened them out a little, just what a 10mm combo wrench is for, right?
4. Instructions were pretty good, installed to the letter. Could use a few more pics.

Now for the driving impression:

If you want an easy to use shifter, this shifter is not for you!
If you want a quiter (while shifting) shifter, this shifter is not for you!
And if you want a shifter that looks better than stock, this shifter that uses the stock ball is not for you!

However, what I did want is a shifter that was a little taller than stock, keeps me from doing the dreaded 2-3 lockout, and has shorter throws, and this fits the bill. Not to mention I got if off ebay for $130, and I can still use my stock shift ****, which I like for some reason. The new rod now has the shift **** about 7/8" higher than before, which doesn't look as good with a slightly stretched out shift boot, but puts the shift **** exactly where I wanted it.

As far as driving noise, it's louder while shifting, with more of a "CLICK, CLICK" than a "snick, snick", but during cruise, no added vibration/noise that I can hear.

i.e. I like what it does for me, but not sure if I love it.

 

In case I scared anyone, the rattling noise that I was hearing was not due to the shifter install.

 

I think it's a great shifter. Notchy yes but I really like the fact that all I have to do is just push it forward from second and it finds third by itself. Why didn't you want the flat Hurst shifter?

 

Just don't like the way it looks, call me crazy. :scratch:

 

Dremel ??? . . . . . I ain't scared either . . .

 

Hatchman, sounds like you might just have to get used to the change.

 

I installed mine last night. I have a pic in my signature, and an entire folder in my gallery.

I feel the same as hatchman. Not for you if you want a smoother, easier glide between gears. But more for those who want solid stiff shifts.

I absolutely love mine. I have a vibration under heavy acceleration in 1st gear. Other than that, no complaints.

 

Yep, I'm sure I'll get used to it. Just surprised at how much stiffer it was. I'll let you try it out in Tallahassee in a few weeks, get your opinion.

The chrome shift bar and pool ball are growing on me. After seeing one in person, I might make the change, maybe with a black ball. Good thing they can swap out in about two minutes.

 

did you have to take the driveshaft out?

 

Negative, not at all. You can easily get around it. Taking out the drive shaft would make it easier, but totally not necessary. It would probably end up taking longer (for me, anyway), just because there would be more bolts to take out and put back in.

Having several socket extensions and a 10mm deep well socket is highly recommended, though.

 

Do you think it's the simple Hurst design or do you think you could install any shifter without taking out the drive shaft?