[C2] Offset shifter handle?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
Offset shifter handle?
Before I pull my center console apart, I thought I'd post to see if anyone has come up with any solutions that offset the shifter handle to the center of the car. The combination of shifter location, steering wheel, and the absurdly high brake pedal in these cars means that with the shifter in reverse, 1st, or 2nd, I have a very tight squeeze lifting my (admittedly huge) leg between the steering wheel and shift ****. Being able to offset the shift lever even an inch towards the center of the car would be huge win in the comfort and ergonomics department.
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
Race Director
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You can make a steel spacer and use longer bolts to move the shift lever to the right.
You can make a steel spacer and use longer bolts to move the shift lever to the right.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Middle TN by way of KY, OH, VA, IL, CA, FL, NY, SC, HI
How close is your shifter stick when in it's in the right-most gears (4th or 5th - don't recall your tranny choice). In other words, is there much room left to push it over there?
Last edited by Easy Rhino; Feb 9, 2020 at 03:15 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 157
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From: Oh
Hurst actually sells replacement handles in different configurations/ offsets. maybe you can find something here.
https://www.shifterdoc.com/productca...owProductLDesc
https://www.shifterdoc.com/productca...owProductLDesc
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Hurst does sell a Competition Plus offset shifter for Mopars, but it's tall, requiring some serious machine work. It does have a 3.9" offset. Part # 5384084, $175.00 
Dennis
Dennis
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,099
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From: Allison Park, PA
Before I pull my center console apart, I thought I'd post to see if anyone has come up with any solutions that offset the shifter handle to the center of the car. The combination of shifter location, steering wheel, and the absurdly high brake pedal in these cars means that with the shifter in reverse, 1st, or 2nd, I have a very tight squeeze lifting my (admittedly huge) leg between the steering wheel and shift ****. Being able to offset the shift lever even an inch towards the center of the car would be huge win in the comfort and ergonomics department.
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
By "Hurst handle" you mean the one that doesn't use the reverse lock out "T"? If so, it's the same one I used for my T5 conversion. I will tell you that the bottom part of the shifter is "billet" - it's solid! I wanted a stock appearing shifter, but wanted it slightly shorter (think Miata) than the stock shifter. So, I clamped the end plate in my vise and cut a "shoulder" in the round base and drilled holes to mount the shifter to my "L" bracket for the T5. Then, I cut the end plate off. You could do something similar . . . but using a spacer block to move your shifter to the side.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Before I pull my center console apart, I thought I'd post to see if anyone has come up with any solutions that offset the shifter handle to the center of the car. The combination of shifter location, steering wheel, and the absurdly high brake pedal in these cars means that with the shifter in reverse, 1st, or 2nd, I have a very tight squeeze lifting my (admittedly huge) leg between the steering wheel and shift ****. Being able to offset the shift lever even an inch towards the center of the car would be huge win in the comfort and ergonomics department.
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
My initial thought was to cut the Hurst handle (I have a Hurst competition plus) just above the two mounting bolts, then weld in a piece of metal 1 - 1.5" wide. Then grind it down, smooth everything up, make it pretty, then send it out for a brushed aluminum powder coating so that it would match the spokes on the steering wheel.
Interested in any input....this is a classic example of big guy in a little car
This is also a good time to decide if you want to change the forward/back angle of the shifter handle too.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
Hurst actually sells replacement handles in different configurations/ offsets. maybe you can find something here.
https://www.shifterdoc.com/productca...owProductLDesc
https://www.shifterdoc.com/productca...owProductLDesc
I actually ordered one that was bent to the right. I still need to offset the whole handle more.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,403
From: Redacted
That's similar to what I did several years ago. I cut the handle about an inch above the mounting holes, welded a horizontal steel piece to the "stub", towards the right/passenger side, and then welded the vertical stick piece to the horizontal piece, offsetting the stick to the right by an inch and a half. It all hid under the shifter boot, so the modification was invisible.
This is also a good time to decide if you want to change the forward/back angle of the shifter handle too.
This is also a good time to decide if you want to change the forward/back angle of the shifter handle too.