RT4WD Short-Shift

another epic update. Cheers to all this Jubilee Bollox, ive have plenty of time to spare!

Today, i decided to make a Short shift box. Anyone whos driven the Shuttle (Walsh for example), Will know the gear stick and changing is rather special. The selection feels rather vague, and the shift throw is the same distance between a hotdog and a hallway.

So, I made this!

Stripped down the box to the bare chassis.
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Got the grinder out.
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And raised it approx 1"
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Next was to extend the arms.
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Next, to extend the stick.
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(Missing Picture Here, i used some Threaded bar to extended the pivot point. Welding Mild to Cast isnt ideal, so make sure you get those amps flowing to get both pieces REAL hot and welded together - Ive had mine snap once already - Not enough welding penetration)

Back together
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I noticed this cable was missing a Bush. This help with the slackness
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Also swapped this Bush.
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Comparison between Stock and my Modified one.
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Installed!
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Just had to cut this bracket off, The bit which sandwiches the Gear stick Gaiter, as the new Raised linkage was fouling the cone section (The top bit is the bit i cut off)
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Throw Before. (5.5" --> 9.5" = 4" Throw)

After (6" --> 8.5" = 2.5" Throw)

37% Throw Reduction!! And it feels Fapping AWESOME now! What i missed about driving a 2WD Hatch, was the Notchy feel the gear stick had going into gear, which the shuttle never had, Gearstick was very sloppy and lacked a sporty feel. Now however, WOW!! Should of done this AGES ago, IT nows feels excellent, Nice nothcy feel into gear, its epic to say the least!

:drivegear:

Comments

  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    that my good friend is an excellent write up. one mod i will definitely copy!
  • GizmoGizmo Wagonist
    Cheers bro!

    My welding skills are something i need to improve. But the idea and theory is there :top:
  • 503Wagon503Wagon moderator
    haha welding is tough. i'm learning that as i build sliders for my wagon. only gets better with practice.
  • driftin90driftin90 Senior Wagonist
    nick, you still have that welder? lets do this!
  • This is a really cool mod! Call me strange, but I actually LOVE the stock shifter feel in my RT. I've had several notchy short throw equipped civics before, and I always thought I was going to really hate the cable shifter... But it shift so smoothly, and I never have trouble getting mine into gear or shifting too slowly... It smoothly just slides right out of one gear and into the next one, the way it should. Now, I have test driven a few other RT's before, and some didn't shift as well as mine. In fact, one was simply aggravating to shift. I suppose mine is just in really good shape. I assume my bushings are fairly good and the cables are well-adjusted.

    Still, i would LOVE to try one of these out! One question, does it seem like you are "running out of shift boot?" What I mean is, since the whole assembly is now taller, I'm wondering if the top of the shift boot will "bottom out" on the top of the shifter assembly workings, like when you're in SL or reverse, when the boot is stretched the furthest down the shift lever.
  • driftin90driftin90 Senior Wagonist
    i can't wait! already got my spare shifter box torn down. dropping it off with a friend this week. might try going 1.25". Gizmo, your the man! i know jaker did something like this, but i read pictures better.
  • GizmoGizmo Wagonist
    I think 1" is the perfect spot. I think anymore and it will be too short.

    Would be awesome to somehow make it adjustable. But alot of work and effort.

    Driving this morning. Shifter feels great!
  • Great job!!
  • 3rd4ce3rd4ce Council Member
    ok guys im sorta lost ... :roll:
    i thought the whole short shifter meant just that shorter stem... :oops:
    like this :
    file.php?id=6529
  • GizmoGizmo Wagonist
    The idea of a short shift. Is to reduce the throw. So the shift stick can be brought up closer to the steering wheel. You basically extend the pivot from the ball joint to achieve this. On a 2wd car. It hangs below the floor pan. On a rt4wd. You can't do this as it will bottom out on the shifter box floor. So you need to raise the cage in order to do this.
  • moff3ttmoff3tt Band Wagon
    Since the forum change over seems to have missed my latest comment I will post it again.

    I know that I can just take off the console, shift boot and measure. However, I'm lazy and you already have the size and thread pitch I need for rod ends. That said what diameter eyelet and thread pitch did you use for your rod ends?
  • kylerwhokylerwho Wagonist
    since I weld for a living I will be doing this mod as soon as things are slow at work.
  • GizmoGizmo Wagonist
    moff3tt wrote: »
    Since the forum change over seems to have missed my latest comment I will post it again.

    I know that I can just take off the console, shift boot and measure. However, I'm lazy and you already have the size and thread pitch I need for rod ends. That said what diameter eyelet and thread pitch did you use for your rod ends?

    I didn't change the rod ends they are still the OEM ones. All i did was add some bushes i had lying around spare from the other shifter box.
  • civtec350civtec350 Wagonist
    i tried this a couple of days after reading this thread and it worked great. i cut and extended the shifter a little higher up than what is pictured, but it still works great. i had to go to the junkyard to get some bushings that were bad so i took them out of an 88-91 style prelude, and some extras from a 92-96 style prelude (same bushings). i regreased all of the bushings, and contact points with some energy suspension grease(whale sperm). shifts great, its still in a comfortable position. great write up.
  • moff3ttmoff3tt Band Wagon
    Gizmo wrote: »
    I didn't change the rod ends they are still the OEM ones. All i did was add some bushes i had lying around spare from the other shifter box.

    Ooh. My mistake. I guess I could grab some of those bushings for my shifter then since that feels to be the problem with mine.
  • klumklum Senior Wagonist
    not into short shifters but the mod is definitly dope and original! ha
  • greenteagodgreenteagod Moderator
    What's not to like about a short throw shifter. I get not liking a shortened shifter, they're nearly pointless. But one that has a shortened throw, Seems like nothing but good to me. Excellent mod.
  • DP_RT4WDDP_RT4WD New Wagonist
    Very nice write-up. I'm new to this board and it's nice to see such thorough threads. I'm looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences as well. :thumbup:
  • Can the photos be hosted again please?
  • Great DIY, just got mine made up!

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  • superhatchsuperhatch Moderator
    Was this ever reposted with pics?
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