Shifter Extending

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by flip47553, Dec 31, 2012.

  1. flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    I know it sounds crazy:jester:. I want to extend my shifter up about 3 inches or so. Only reason is to make shifting easier and more comfortable. Anybody ever extend a shifter for this reason without a body lift? Any tips? Can you install the 3700 shifter extension without a lift kit?
     
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  3. mcdonald58

    mcdonald58 New Member

    i think the best route to go is to get a hurst shifter.
     
  4. klinger86

    klinger86 Moderator

    Yes you can install the shifter extension without lifting your truck.
     
  5. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    I have done this for the same reason. It is much easier to shift. I ended up with a Hurst shifter. I got one for a F150. It bolts right in and is taller. If you want to do it on the cheap, I would get a stock shifter from an F150. The F150's used the same transmission as the Rangers. You have to watch the years though. They changed them a tiny bit. Just get a shifter that is close to the year of your truck.
     
  6. OP
    flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    F150 Shift Lever

    Do you know about how much longer the stocker is for the F150? Anybody know where to search for a stocker? Shift levers seem to be difficult to locate for a stock F150.
     
  7. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    junkyard?
     
  8. 03crewcab

    03crewcab Real Trucks Rattle

    You said they changed a bit, but what did? I'm interested on this mod since I plan on going to some JYs the next weekend.
     
  9. Shawn

    Shawn Cranky old man

    I can't remember for sure right now. I think it's the hieght of the casting on the transmission that the Hurst bolts onto. The fork on one is a 1/4 longer than the other. Look into the two different Hurst shifter for Rangers. That's it, Hurst's come with a spacer plate that is needed on certain years. I think 1996 is the cutoff date. If I get time I will see if I saved that info on one of my hard drives.
     
  10. 03crewcab

    03crewcab Real Trucks Rattle

    Cool. Thanks.
     
  11. OP
    flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    Done!!

    I decided just to extend my existing shifter. What an upgrade!!! Makes shifting real nice and easy.

    1) I found a piece of steel rod 5/8" OD x 6" long. (old 4-way lug wrench was the perfect diameter. Know it is a 3-way. lol)
    2) I removed my shifter knob and removed the shift boot. (Knob removed easily by heating with hair dryer, no beating it)
    3) I removed the shift lever.
    4) I cut the shift lever with a tubing cutter about 1/4" above the shift boot ring near the knob.
    5) I turned my drill press and grinder into a lathe and turned down about 3/4" on both ends of new rod to fit snugly into the shifter lever and into the splined piece.
    6) I then inserted the new rod into both pieces and tack welded them lightly. Tested fit on truck and then welded solid.
    7) A little grinding to smoothe out the weld and it was perfect.
    8) For the finish, I used a piece of heat shrink tubing to cover the shaft up to thew ball.

    Picture coming soon. Was really easy to do and was worth the effort.
     
  12. OP
    flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    Drawing

    What to do:
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2013
  13. OP
    flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    Drawing

    Where to cut and what to make. Length of new rod is whatever you want to extend (ie 4") plus 1.5". 5.5" total length in my application.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2013
  14. OP
    flip47553

    flip47553 Flip47553

    Picture

    Here is the final product.
     
  15. Fx4wannabe01

    Fx4wannabe01 New Member

    Nice execution solving your problem! Cleanly done too.

    Only thing I would say is paint the extension and I worry about the ball itself coming off. How do you have the fall itself secured?
     

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