Short Height Shifter project
05-21-2008, 12:32 PM
#1
Short Height Shifter project
As most of you know; there are no aftermarket short height shifters available for the 5.5 gen. I really liked the idea/look of one on mine. I recently purchased a complete one from a guy parting out a 6sp for 40$. Since then i have modified the height of the spare one and tracked my progress. I wanted to retain the reverse lock-out and original threading for the ****. so...
As it looked minus the boot originally.
Removed lock-out sleeve, dowel pins and spring
Then i removed 1.75" from near bottom. I thought this was the most i could remove from this section while retaining enough area to weld
I chamfered the bottom of the threaded rod and top of lever end to ease the weld too.
As it looked minus the boot originally.
Removed lock-out sleeve, dowel pins and spring
Then i removed 1.75" from near bottom. I thought this was the most i could remove from this section while retaining enough area to weld
I chamfered the bottom of the threaded rod and top of lever end to ease the weld too.
05-21-2008, 12:32 PM
#2
Then weld and grinding...
sorry about the bad pics, i'm new to the camera/settings
This pic shows the difference in height compared to the lock-out sleeve, which i haven't modified yet. **** should sit 1.75 inches lower.
I haven't installed it yet, i have to finish the lock-out sleeve, once thats done i'll install it and post some more pics. Feel free to comment, offer useful advice. (cameras or shifter
)
sorry about the bad pics, i'm new to the camera/settings
This pic shows the difference in height compared to the lock-out sleeve, which i haven't modified yet. **** should sit 1.75 inches lower.
I haven't installed it yet, i have to finish the lock-out sleeve, once thats done i'll install it and post some more pics. Feel free to comment, offer useful advice. (cameras or shifter
)
Last edited by majesticmaxima; 05-22-2008 at 06:07 PM.
05-21-2008, 12:46 PM
#4
As for the bushings, which ones are you referring to? Linkage, Housing?
05-21-2008, 02:33 PM
#5
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No making the actual shifter shorter will reduce the throws, it just increases total effort to make the throw, which is always a normal tradeoff with short throw shifters in general.
You should do the free underhood STS while you're at it, it's completely free and accomplishes the same thing as those STS kits that you'll spend 100+ bucks for.
Here's the DIY thread, i wrote a large howto-review on one of the last pages
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=free+sts
I've been seriously considering shortening my shifter like you did on yours... 2" seems like a pretty big difference.
You should do the free underhood STS while you're at it, it's completely free and accomplishes the same thing as those STS kits that you'll spend 100+ bucks for.
Here's the DIY thread, i wrote a large howto-review on one of the last pages
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=free+sts
I've been seriously considering shortening my shifter like you did on yours... 2" seems like a pretty big difference.
05-21-2008, 06:16 PM
#8
No making the actual shifter shorter will reduce the throws, it just increases total effort to make the throw, which is always a normal tradeoff with short throw shifters in general.
You should do the free underhood STS while you're at it, it's completely free and accomplishes the same thing as those STS kits that you'll spend 100+ bucks for.
Here's the DIY thread, i wrote a large howto-review on one of the last pages
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=free+sts
I've been seriously considering shortening my shifter like you did on yours... 2" seems like a pretty big difference.
You should do the free underhood STS while you're at it, it's completely free and accomplishes the same thing as those STS kits that you'll spend 100+ bucks for.
Here's the DIY thread, i wrote a large howto-review on one of the last pages
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=free+sts
I've been seriously considering shortening my shifter like you did on yours... 2" seems like a pretty big difference.
All i was really interested in was aesthetics. Its kinda trucker style..lol but i probably will do the free STS. Thanks for the write up.
05-21-2008, 06:30 PM
#9
05-22-2008, 06:15 PM
#13
Thank you for the useful comment.
I guess i'm one of few people to ever modify something for looks.
Will do.. Not sure how good your TIG welding is, it required short welds so the shaft didnt get too hot, so i had to quench it often. nevertheless only took 30 minutes or so. If it works out well i was gonna remove the original and do the same to it.
05-22-2008, 11:09 PM
#17
but wont the cut they made... do just that... the 1.75 cut made is 1.75 inches less to throw, isnt that a shorter shift made though ??
05-22-2008, 11:43 PM
#18
05-23-2008, 12:22 AM
#19
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05-23-2008, 01:40 AM
#20
Anyhow, what it "should be" is what it is, for me. If other people were interested, there will be info about it for the future as it seems it was a common mod 5.5 owners wanted
Last edited by majesticmaxima; 05-23-2008 at 01:43 AM.
05-23-2008, 03:07 AM
#21
a cosmetic mod is a cosmetic mod
and
a performance mod is a performance mod
it is a mod that im interested in....a PERFORMANCE mod to go along with my STS and ES bushings
05-23-2008, 06:44 AM
#23
Lowering your car is horrible for your suspension geometry 
The 2k2 shifter does sit ridiculously high and this is a good mod IMO. Nothing wrong with people wanting their car to look better.
The 2k2 shifter does sit ridiculously high and this is a good mod IMO. Nothing wrong with people wanting their car to look better.
05-23-2008, 09:23 AM
#24
i agree with this though.. the idea of a short shifter is to be a performance mod not necessarily a cosmetic mod. sure the look is nice but it should be done mostly for the performance aspect of it all...
05-23-2008, 11:29 AM
#27
Another member, hct67, did something similar a few years ago, but he cut off the threaded section, re-threaded the top part of the shaft, and screwed the shift **** back in. He did use the Watkins STS as well, though.
Either way, cool stuff.
Either way, cool stuff.
05-23-2008, 11:36 AM
#28
This means nothing though, the OP is entitled to performing this mod SOLELY for aesthetic reasons if he wants to...it SHOULD be done for whatever reason he wants.
05-23-2008, 01:38 PM
#29
it is a mod that im interested in....a PERFORMANCE mod to go along with my STS and ES bushings
05-23-2008, 04:07 PM
#30
I just started the plastic piece today... I'll post pics tomorrow
I believe you have a 00-01 style which is a lot different than mine. Even if i were to cut the threaded section, the lower half is tapered.
Thanks, although i intend on keeping the reverse lock-out so this didnt seem the way for me. I think i can remove more by sectioning the shaft.
Thanks, although i intend on keeping the reverse lock-out so this didnt seem the way for me. I think i can remove more by sectioning the shaft.
05-24-2008, 03:22 PM
#32
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Last edited by Yayomax; 05-24-2008 at 03:25 PM.
05-24-2008, 08:44 PM
#36
05-24-2008, 08:46 PM
#37
05-24-2008, 09:25 PM
#38
I am from the 6th Gen forum and Im watching this for us 6th Gen 6 speed guys. Nice work so far!!! I'll post a thread in my forum since I believe this applies to 6th Gen Maximas as well. To make shifting easier, you have get weighted shift *****. I got the factory shift **** (and handbrake handle) from an 06 Mitsubishi Evo MR:
Last edited by DeusExMaxima; 05-24-2008 at 09:34 PM.
