Shifter Help

[Horseplay]

So I need to get a shift lever/arm/stick (choose your favorite!) for my 65 with a T-5 trans. I do not have anything presently on hand to give me an idea of desired length or shape. I suppose I will mock something up with some rod I have laying around but wondered if anyone here has experience and preference enough to offer a recommendation.

Looking at the MDL and other parts sites I see offerings for both 8" and 10" Hurst pieces with both stating they are good fits for my car. 2" in length difference sure tells me that someone is lying! Then Rich at MTF has a arm that his site states corrects the problem when making those longer reach shifts. This tells me maybe there isn't a "stock" one that really fits.

Help!

 

[6t6red]

So I need to get a shift lever/arm/stick (choose your favorite!) for my 65 with a T-5 trans. I do not have anything presently on hand to give me an idea of desired length or shape. I suppose I will mock something up with some rod I have laying around but wondered if anyone here has experience and preference enough to offer a recommendation.

Looking at the MDL and other parts sites I see offerings for both 8" and 10" Hurst pieces with both stating they are good fits for my car. 2" in length difference sure tells me that someone is lying! Then Rich at MTF has a arm that his site states corrects the problem when making those longer reach shifts. This tells me maybe there isn't a "stock" one that really fits.

Help!

I purchased the stock looking lever that is made for a t5. No reaching problems. Got mine from NPD.

 

[coupster]

I fabbed one up using the old 4 speed stick with a the bottom portion of the T-5 shifter welded onto it. With some careful measuring, it is a great fit, and feels really comfortable. I had both shifter handles laying around. The stock rubber shifter boot is a tight fit though, but it does work.

In the document, you will see 2 lines on the second photo. The green dotted line was my first cut. It was too tall. The second red line is where I trimmed the shifter after discovering it was too tall. Use the red dashed line as an approximation, and check the fit before welding. Good luck!

 

[RyanG85]

I plan on cutting the Hurst shifter handle from my 3 speed I took out and welding the T5 end like Coupster did.

 

[kb3]

Terry, tomorrow I will take a pic of the one we used. It's a Hurst unit from MDL. I can get the part number too. It fits well and have no problem reaching shifts.

 

[monkeystash]

I went with the Hurst 538-4106. Seems to be a popular option, at least in my research. I like it and it has a comfortable throw.

 

[Horseplay]

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys. I finished up modifying the seat rails to get the Fiero seats just right to my liking in the car and have the interior gutted for final work on a number of items so not in a real position to test things right now. I'd like to keep the seats out until I get the new upholstery on them. Waste a lot of time putting stuff in and out and the clock is ticking!

Ken, I hoping you come back and say you have a 10" Hurst as well. That is the way I am leaning. I would love to have something that just bolts in that I do not have to modify. All this parts tweaking is just eating up my available build time.

 

[BobV]

Copying a 10 year old post I made....

http://www.hurst-shifters.com/stick-diagrams-shifter-assembly-diagrams-transmission-id-charts/

Most people find that the stock-style late-model shifter sticks are too much of a "reach" when a T5 is swapped into an early model car. I did a little research a while back and found several alternatives from Hurst. These looked like the best fits. I think most people will want 8" - 10" in height, and 3" - 7" of curve back.

5380015 - 8" up, 3" back, chrome steel, 3/8-16 thread
5380100 - 10" up, 4.75" back, chrome steel, 3/8-16 thread
5380178 - 8" up, 3" back, natural aluminum, 7/16-20 thread (GT350Clone)
5380179 - 10" up, 5.5" back, natural aluminum, 7/16-20 thread
5380201 - 9.5" up, 5.7" back, black aluminum, 7/16-20 thread
5384106 - 10" up, 5.5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5386643 - 7.5" up, 9.5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5387436 - 10" up, 5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5388009 - 10.5" up, 3" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
(Drawings & additional listings are on the Hurst link above)

I swapped in the 5380178 stick. Worked about perfect for me - 5th is a full arm's length, without bending/reaching, yet the shifter is far enough forward that I won't spill my Big Gulp in 4th gear. I went with an aluminum stick, since I already had a nice shifter ball with 7/16-20 threads. All the aluminum sticks are 7/16-20, while the steel are 3/8-16.

 

[Horseplay]

Thanks, Bob. I found that thread when doing a search this morning!

The one overriding thing that no one can really validate specifically is the "fit" of everything including the driver. Different seat heights, physical body dimensions (height, arm length) desired arm position all play a role. A guy with a two inch longer arm will find a set-up less than optimum as opposed to a driver with a shorter appendage. Yeah, , pulling you into this.

Think I will order up a Hurst 5384106 stick and see how it fits.

 

[BobV]

Yep, the 4106 stick is probably the closest positioning to what a stock Vintage Mustang stick would be.

 

[Horseplay]

Also the longest, which would give more opportunity to modify should I decide it necessary.

 

[kb3]

Terry. The 4106 is the one we are using.

 

[msell66]

Don't forget to factor in the dimension of the phone book you normally sit on!

 

[blue65coupe]

If I could have a 10" I would.

 

[Grabber70Mach]

If I could have a 10" I would.

That doesn't surprise me any.

From infinity and beyond.

Never argue with a Moron, they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[Horseplay]

Got in late last night from Utah. Found this waiting for me. E-Bay deal. Came with a retro looking white 4-speed ball. I like it. I will put the seat back in today to see how it all fits together and feels.