Seems like a really good deal ... a new Barton shifter for only $235 shipped?

I already have their shifter bracket installed, and if I'm not mistaken, to install the Barton shifter all the work is done from above, right?

Meaning I won't have to get under the car ?


BTW, the price is at americanmuscle.com after their forum discount coupon code

 

You still have to get under there and loosen the bolts for the bracket so that you can pull the trans towards the driver's side in order to get the right rear bolt off and on. It's a pain by yourself also. I got the other three in and then pulled it over with one hand and did the bolt with the other. Make sure you install the dust boot corectly as well. If you don't then the shifter action will get caught trying to get into reverse. It's fun transfering the cap that goes on the bottom of the shaft that fits into the trans. It has grease on it and is made of plastic. That just pops back on though once you get it off. I bought mine used on Ebay for $219 shipped. Good deal though from AM. It's worth it. I love mine. I just need the bracket now. Do you have the regular bracket or the two-post one?

 

I have the regular bracket and it's helped a bunch, but after recently sitting in a '12 GT that had the Barton shifter and going through the gears, I really liked the shorter throws and more positive engagements of the Barton ...

So are you saying you were able to undo and reinstall that bolt without getting under the car?

 

I think you still need to get under the car. I was ready to choose a Barton until I researched the MGW. Hopefully Santa will bring me one this year.

 

The Barton Shifter is definitely a great item. At such an affordable price point, you can't really get a better short shifter for your Mustang!

Please let me know if you have any questions or need some assistance in the near future! Our Mustang Experts are here Monday-Friday from 9AM-9PM EST and Saturdays from 9AM-5:30PM EST. If you want to hit them up, their number is 866.727.1266. I can also have one of them call you directly.

-Dan

 

I know I want it, I know it's a great price, but I really don't want to have to get under the car for the install.

Are there any short cuts so that I can get that bottom-right bolt out/in without getting under the car at all?

 

Every install video that I watched looks like you have to go under the car. I havent seen anyway to get to that 4th bolt without going under and loosening the lower bracket to drop it down.

The plastic pivot cup is fun to take off as well, it takes a decent amount of force to "pop" it off.

For $235, I say go for it. The short throw is well worth it. Nothing like some forum peer pressure.

 

I need that to push me off the fence, lol

 

Well, I went ahead and ordered it.

I'll figure something out hopefully ... I really don't want to have to get under the car but we'll see ... I have a good floor jack and 2 jack stands if I really have to.

 

You definitely need to get under car and remove the bracket to get to all the bolts.

 

<cue R. Lee Ermey>

You're gonna go under that car, Mister, until you LIKE going under that car!
We're gonna put your BUNK under that car!

 

LOL.

I've been there before, and I've done things on this car already that I didn't think I'd ever do (install the shocks/struts/springs and remove/reinstall the bumper cover)

 

All you've gotta do is remove the two 10mm nuts holding the shifter bracket and let the shifter box drop down. That will give you enough room to remove the rear most bolts from the shifter.

Or do what some have done, and use a die-grinder to remove just enough metal to remove the bolts without dropping the shifter box.

 

Faster but then again most of us I think would rather not cut into sheet metal in any way. Yes Gabe, you have to get under there unless you grind that corner down.

 

Just tried to remove the old shifter and there's absolutely no way I can remove that bottom-right bolt without removing the shifter bracket under the car.
Ran over to the very-nearby Autozone, bought an extension I'll need for that, also bought some more white lithium grease for the shifter ball that goes into the lower assembly, and will get back to it tomorrow

Gonna be interesting if I have to take the Barton bracket apart in order to remove it since I already have it installed under there ...

Oh, and there's no way I'm gonna grind any metal there ... that area is exposed to the elements and I don't want rust to eat away at that metal

 

what I did and other LS2GTO.com folks did with the GMM Rip Shifter (because it had the same issue, had to drop stuff) was to drill a small hole right above the bolt. That way you can easily access the bolt.

 

That's a great idea but this bolt is only half-hidden by the metal that's about 1/4" above it, so drilling a hole wouldn't work since it would mess up the cut-out for the shifter boot.

I took a pic but left the camera in the car ...

 

Thank you Ford for another great idea, God forbid you might've designed the access hole so that all 4 bolts could easily be removed from above without having to get under the effin car!!

 

cut it you wuss.

 

Well, you still gotta get under there if you wanna install the bracket. But I agree, I guess Ford couldn't imagine there could possibly be room for improvements over their stock shifter? Lol, when my MGW comes in maybe I'll take a road trip over the the ford plant and chuck my stock shift through there design departments window.

Lmao!