Question for you guys with "ball" style shift knobs...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
Question for you guys with "ball" style shift *****...
I just installed a new B&M short throw shifter. I also purchased a HURST shift **** (ball style). When I put the HURST **** on, it sits WAY too high, i've seen a few photos around where the shift ball sits pretty low, maybe a few inches above the radio bezel, how do you get it to do that? I think it looks really bad with the ball sitting so high.
Did you guys cut the shifter and re-weld it or is there a shifter out that that is really low?
Here is a picture, see how low the ball sits? Mine is about 3-4" higher, and it looks terrible!
Here is an idea on how mine looks, and I hate it!
Did you guys cut the shifter and re-weld it or is there a shifter out that that is really low?
Here is a picture, see how low the ball sits? Mine is about 3-4" higher, and it looks terrible!
Here is an idea on how mine looks, and I hate it!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
That first shot sure looks like the shifter was shortened and rethreaded. Unfortunately, having a traditional short-shifter with a "lever arm" that short would make shifting a "pumping iron" experience. The other factor is how deeply the shift **** is threaded. The version you see in my avatar is threaded as deeply as possible and is shown threaded onto an unshortened BPP shifter.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
I ended up just making my own. A friend of mine has the same MGW shifter I do with one of their ***** and it feels too high. I ended up making my own **** and threading it all the way up to within about .25" from the top. That got it down where I wanted it. Kinda hard to shift, but ya get used to it 
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
You can easily cut off 3/4" from the 9/16-18" lever threads to lower a ****. Measure, use masking tape to protect the threads, cut evenly with a fine tooth hack saw, dress the threads and attach the ****.
Some have cut even more of the lever and re-threaded the lever. You need the correct die, a fine tooth hacksaw (or air tool), cutting oil, masking tape, patience and some DIY confidence.
Removing to much might look better, but it also might add to the shifting effort.
Some have cut even more of the lever and re-threaded the lever. You need the correct die, a fine tooth hacksaw (or air tool), cutting oil, masking tape, patience and some DIY confidence.
Removing to much might look better, but it also might add to the shifting effort.
Last edited by hotwheels57; May 12, 2009 at 02:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
I want to use my B&M shifter still, but I just want it to sit like 1-1.5" lower.
The Hurst ball is threaded as deep as you can possibly go.
My question is, would it be easier to cut 1-1.5" off the top of the shifter (where its threaded) and re-thread it or cut 1-1.5" off the middle and re-weld it?
The Hurst ball is threaded as deep as you can possibly go.
My question is, would it be easier to cut 1-1.5" off the top of the shifter (where its threaded) and re-thread it or cut 1-1.5" off the middle and re-weld it?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
If you're planning on doing the modification yourself, it depends on your skill level, tools and confidence.
Mine is a B&M "Sport" with the HURST **** and no modifications to the lever...
Mine is a B&M "Sport" with the HURST **** and no modifications to the lever...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
I have access to pretty much any tool I need, I just want to know what will be easier/better to do, cut out a 1" piece from the center of the shifter and weld it together or cut 1" off the top and re-thread if necessary?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
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From: Loxahatchee Florida
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
I have a machine shop and TIG welder etc. MUCH easier to run the die down as far as it can go, leave it there, cut the excess length off the top, deburr the end, then chase the threads by unwinding the die back to the top. A little blue (removable) Locktite on the threads then screw on the ball. Done!
What die do I need to use? What is the thread for the stock shifter?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Does this look too tall? This is standard length Hurst shifter.
You make it much shorter, with the already shorter throw, and shifting effort will increase significantly.
You make it much shorter, with the already shorter throw, and shifting effort will increase significantly.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; May 15, 2009 at 04:46 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 15
From: Loxahatchee Florida
Make sure you know what you want before you start cutting. My cut down Kirban in the 2000 is way harder to shift than the un-modified Hurst in my 99. But, it's exactly what I wanted.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
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From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I want to use my B&M shifter still, but I just want it to sit like 1-1.5" lower.
The Hurst ball is threaded as deep as you can possibly go.
My question is, would it be easier to cut 1-1.5" off the top of the shifter (where its threaded) and re-thread it or cut 1-1.5" off the middle and re-weld it?
The Hurst ball is threaded as deep as you can possibly go.
My question is, would it be easier to cut 1-1.5" off the top of the shifter (where its threaded) and re-thread it or cut 1-1.5" off the middle and re-weld it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: Pgh PA
My buddy had a hurst shifter (I think) and he cut it down so it basically sat in the shift boot, and it was pretty hard to shift, I dont want mine to sit that low, but a lot lower than the last picture posted, it looks too awkward to me, and needs to be an inch or so lower.
I am going to thread the shaft as far down as I possibly can, and then cut off what I want from the top.
I am going to thread the shaft as far down as I possibly can, and then cut off what I want from the top.