Best upgrade so far, installed tall shifter for under $30

[asifallasleep]

I have a 1974 '02 4speed. Today i bought a tall shift knob from autozone for $14.99. Found out top of shifting rod in car is too big for the standard shift knobs sold today. Went to hardware store next and took the new shifter. Explained the issue and spent about an hour in there trying to resolve it. Bought copper pipes in sizes 1/2", 3/4" and a cxc copper coupling 1/2" to 3/4".

Cut down 1/2" pipe and inserted into new shift knob. Inserted the other end of that pipe into the cxc copper coupling 1/2" to 3/4". Inserted the 3/4" pipe into the 3/4" end of the cxc copper coupling. One 3/4" was measured for the inside the other from the outside. Hence why they fit together.

It all just screwed together. Used black electrical tape on the exterior to give it a somewhat nice finish. Got into car and pushed the 3/4" pipe on top of shift rod.

That was it. The shifter now sits about 1 foot below the steering wheel. My shifts are so smooth and fast I couldn't imagine driving the car any other way. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't tried a really tall shifter to give it a try.

I increased the height of the shift rod by about 3 inches and the new knob was about 1 inch over the stock knob. Total additional height: 4".

cost breakdown including tax:

shift knob: $16.45

all copper pipes: $8.75

electric tape: $3.06

total: $28.26

[M3M3]

ummm...the shift knob is on backwards.

i guess this is the much sought after "long shift kit". ;-)

[asifallasleep]

(nt)

[bourkeco]

No its not......

[M3M3]

No its not......

yes, it was....

he edited the post and replaced the original pic which had it backwards. his (NT) post after mine was him acknowleging the ooops, but he edited that too....

[THE1ST3]

i guess this is the much sought after "long shift kit". ;-)

Marshall: You are a scream!

[nbristow01]

Yes it is times 2...but the shifter project is a good one

[pkbinplano]

Is this the look your after ? LOL

[nbristow01]

Danggg I don't have a sunroof model, Guess I can just cut a hole or angle the shifter to hang out the driver side window and shift left handed. Well then I will need a good helmet because those shifts into second and fourth will make the modified shift lever smack me in the forehead.

[asifallasleep]

I may adjust it a tad lower. Basically want to be able to shift gears with my back against my seat and not having to lean forward and reach down every time i shift gears.

[M3M3]

tilt the seat farther forward? seat back should be adjusted so that with arms outstretched in front of you, wrists touch the top of the steering wheel. if you can do this, you should be able to reach the shifter in the stock location.

or, get a short shifter. it reduces the throw so that 3rd/5th are not as far away.

[asifallasleep]

thanks for the suggestion. i know in it's current form the shifter looks like it belongs in a truck, lol, but the ease of reach and the proper distance for my legs are realised in this setup.

I'm fairly tall and have tried every seat adjustment possible and it's doesn't work for me in stock form.

if i get the seat just right for my arms, my legs are too cramped on the pedals, knees too high. lol. so it's been either legs perfect and arms not or vice versa.

also my head is not too far from the ceiling. it's a narrow, long car i believe best suited fit wise for the under 5'11" crowd. but i love driving it.

a short shifter is definitely in the plans if i get a 5 speed tranny. and you're right, that might address a good deal of the throw and reach problem.

[M3M3]

stock seat or recaro? a lower seat will also help your reach and headroom problem. i am just over 6ft and have no fit issues.

[esty]

asifallasleep...don't let these goons rib you into submission...it's your car...and should be like you like it...seat, shifter, etc

[jgerock]

stock seat or recaro? a lower seat will also help your reach and headroom problem. i am just over 6ft and have no fit issues.

Based on his newer pics, the seats look like Scat "Rally" series.