Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? : MGB & GT Forum : MG Experience Forums : The MG Experience

Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #21
Starbuck Monte johnjulio Greensboro, North Carolina, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Toaster" 1974 MG MGB "The B" 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 "Shitfire"	Posted: February 20, 2012 07:50PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 3,340

Agree with many that much more than 1-1.25 inches becomes problematic.
I ground mine down, bought a tap and die set, threaded it and then cut off 1.25"
Shifting feels much more crisp.
Did that on the 74 shifter and I'll also be doing that with the 67 shifter as well.
With my time and expenses having a machine shop do it would have been about the same price but now I also have a tap and die set and the knowledge on how to do it myself.
Better deal that way if you ask me.
smiling smiley

"...They say that a man with two restoration projects is a poor man...I now have three...WTF was I thinking!?!?!?!?!?!?!" UPDATE---I now have four projects!

1967 MGB-GT, 1974 MGB Roadster, 1995 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1, 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500, 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible (Wifey's)

My 1974 MGB restoration at: http://mgbproject.blogspot.com/
My 1979 Spitfire restoration at: http://spitfire1500project.blogspot.com/
My 1967 MGB-GT restoration at: http://mgbgtproject.blogspot.com/

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #22
gerrynj gerry brinkman nj, USA	Posted: February 20, 2012 07:52PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 217

I shortened mine - 3-synchro - wish I had left it alone. Makes shifting really stiff and not
enough leverage. When I get the Chance will swap it out for a standard lever
Gerry

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #23
Starbuck Monte johnjulio Greensboro, North Carolina, USA 1967 MG MGB GT "Toaster" 1974 MG MGB "The B" 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500 "Shitfire"	Posted: February 20, 2012 07:57PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 3,340

In reply to # 1990240 by gerrynj I shortened mine - 3-synchro - wish I had left it alone. Makes shifting really stiff and not
enough leverage. When I get the Chance will swap it out for a standard lever
Gerry

I like my 4-synchro but haven't tried the 3-synchro shortened yet. How much did you shorten it Gerry?

"...They say that a man with two restoration projects is a poor man...I now have three...WTF was I thinking!?!?!?!?!?!?!" UPDATE---I now have four projects!

1967 MGB-GT, 1974 MGB Roadster, 1995 Chevrolet Corvette LT-1, 1979 Triumph Spitfire 1500, 2010 Mini Cooper Convertible (Wifey's)

My 1974 MGB restoration at: http://mgbproject.blogspot.com/
My 1979 Spitfire restoration at: http://spitfire1500project.blogspot.com/
My 1967 MGB-GT restoration at: http://mgbgtproject.blogspot.com/

Sponsored Links. You can hide this ad & support this site by upgrading to a Gold Membership ~ click here for more info.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #24
gerrynj gerry brinkman nj, USA	Posted: February 20, 2012 08:05PM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 217

I like my 4-synchro but haven't tried the 3-synchro shortened yet. How much did you shorten it Gerry?

Not sure -but I drove a 1992 Miata - and thought - Uummm, my MGB would look cool with a short shifter
Wrong - maybe the 4-synchro is different, but the 3-synchro does need a very hefty shift
Gerry

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #25
kaduku Dakine Bruddah San Francisco Bay Area, USA 1971 MG MGB "Kaduku"	Posted: February 20, 2012 08:45PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 685

In reply to # 1990232 by GeeMoo About an inch feels about perfect. For some reason the original height felt like I was driving a bus. Maybe it's because I'm not really tall so I felt like I was reaching up to the shifter. Don't forget to run a nut or the die down before you cut the top off so that the first threads get cleaned up after the chop.

Wow that is beatiful. 1 inch off is perfect!!!!!!!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/20/2012 08:49PM by kaduku.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #26
kaduku Dakine Bruddah San Francisco Bay Area, USA 1971 MG MGB "Kaduku"	Posted: February 20, 2012 08:47PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 685

In reply to # 1990240 by gerrynj I shortened mine - 3-synchro - wish I had left it alone. Makes shifting really stiff and not
enough leverage. When I get the Chance will swap it out for a standard lever
Gerry

Yes, my old 2 inch shortened one felt really weird when shifting. Changed it back within 2 days.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #27
oldredsel Rick Crosby South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, USA 1959 Ford Country Sedan "Edsel Villager Station Wagon" 1969 MG MGB GT "Emma" 1997 Dodge Neon 2003 Chevrolet S10 2011 Subaru Forester	Posted: February 20, 2012 09:07PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,821

If anyone wants to shorten their shift lever, but are reluctant to cut their only lever, pm me.

I have a bunch of both 3 and 4 speed synchro levers in the barn (but NO 3 speed OD levers). And yes, I know this should be in the trader section. When I dig them out, I'll take pics and do that, but consider this an IPO. winking smiley

$25 includes US shipping.

Cheers,

Rick

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2012 09:55AM by oldredsel.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #28
trmgb todd martinez littleton,co, USA 1975 MG MGB MkIII 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4WD	Posted: February 20, 2012 09:55PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,142

i cut mine down, i think it feels and looks great.with my arm on the armrest i dont have to "reach" for the shift knob, its right there sorry no pic ,maybe tomarrow

72 engine, hif carbs, black od, rest of car stock

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? ADDED PIC #29
Bill MacTavish Clayton, Ont., Canada	Posted: February 21, 2012 09:50AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,544

OK, I new somewhere along the line someone would ask why. smiling smiley

I had to go look for the picture before I put up the reason. I got a draught beer tap handle to use
for a shift knob. It's Alexander Keith's India Pail Ale (If you can get it, try it!) and it almost
matches the car colour. It's just that it's about 2 inches, or more, taller/longer than the orignal
shift knob and although I've been driving it like this for about 2 years now, it feels a little strange
at that lenght. The knob itself is very nice in the hand though.

I'm looking around for a used shift lever so in case I want to go back to original, it'll be the 'right'
height again.

I attached a picture of the knob. (The interior is neater now cool smiley

)

Thanks for all the replies.

"Remember, for every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch."

Bill MacTavish
Clayton, Ontario
'70 BRG Roadster 'Monty'
'69 Roadster parts car

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2012 09:57AM by Bill MacTavish.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #30
Bill MacTavish Clayton, Ont., Canada	Posted: February 21, 2012 10:01AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,544

I added a picture further down, but here it is, just in case. The knob I want to use
is about 2" taller than the standard knob. I'm just trying to get the overall feel
back close to 'normal'.

To answer a couple of issues, I do have a tap and die set, I don't have a grinder. eye rolling smiley

yet.
Besides, I'm not sure I'd trust myself to get it ground down to the right diameter. I'd probably
slip and have some big gouge out of one side or something.

Thanks again for the help. I'll find a lever and decide then which way to go.

"Remember, for every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch."

Bill MacTavish
Clayton, Ontario
'70 BRG Roadster 'Monty'
'69 Roadster parts car

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #31
ErnieY Ernie Y Nr Cahors, France 1970 MG MGB 1976 MG MGB GT 1978 MG MGB	Posted: February 21, 2012 02:31PM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 3,073

An IPA gear knob, now I've seen it all, no doubt though somewhere somebody is missing one of those from their collection moon

There really is no accounting for taste is there confused smiley

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #32
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: February 21, 2012 02:54PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,333

My shifter is being shortened at a machine shop right this moment - anxious to try it out tomorrow.

QUESTION!! how far into the space for the shift lever is the little brass spring-tension plunger suppose to protrude? think I just wasted money on those new bits; cant replace that from up top can you? confused smiley

Of course a new nylon bushing's going in there.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #33
kaduku Dakine Bruddah San Francisco Bay Area, USA 1971 MG MGB "Kaduku"	Posted: February 21, 2012 03:06PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 685

In reply to # 1990914 by forestghost07 My shifter is being shortened at a machine shop right this moment - anxious to try it out tomorrow.

QUESTION!! how far into the space for the shift lever is the little brass spring-tension plunger suppose to protrude? think I just wasted money on those new bits; cant replace that from up top can you? confused smiley

Of course a new nylon bushing's going in there.

Marco,
Sorry, can't answer your question, but I am asking how much are you shortening your shifter?

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #34
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: February 21, 2012 03:23PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,333

[

Marco,
Sorry, can't answer your question, but I am asking how much are you shortening your shifter?
[/quote]

1 1/4" thats it thats enough. Mid shaft so the boot hides the weld. Seems to be so much thread on my shifter that when I screwed a new leather knob all the way on the emblem got poked out angry smiley

So it looks like I'll have some adjustment if 1 1/4" was too much meat off.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2012 03:41PM by forestghost07.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #35
kaduku Dakine Bruddah San Francisco Bay Area, USA 1971 MG MGB "Kaduku"	Posted: February 21, 2012 05:38PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 685

In reply to # 1990952 by forestghost07
1 1/4" thats it thats enough. Mid shaft so the boot hides the weld. Seems to be so much thread on my shifter that when I screwed a new leather knob all the way on the emblem got poked out angry smiley

So it looks like I'll have some adjustment if 1 1/4" was too much meat off.

I think you are going to be very happy with it! Of course, you will post a pic.

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #36
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: February 21, 2012 10:27PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,333

In reply to # 1991052 by kaduku

In reply to # 1990952 by forestghost07
1 1/4" thats it thats enough. Mid shaft so the boot hides the weld. Seems to be so much thread on my shifter that when I screwed a new leather knob all the way on the emblem got poked out angry smiley

So it looks like I'll have some adjustment if 1 1/4" was too much meat off.

I think you are going to be very happy with it! Of course, you will post a pic.

For you ... yesh, hehe moon

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #37
Bill MacTavish Clayton, Ont., Canada	Posted: February 22, 2012 07:40AM Registered: 9 years ago Posts: 1,544

It's a good Canadian beer! smileys with beer

And for the record, I purchased it from a draught equipment supplier. He happened to pop
into the local pub when we were there, so I asked if he had a spare.

"Remember, for every mile of road, there are two miles of ditch."

Bill MacTavish
Clayton, Ontario
'70 BRG Roadster 'Monty'
'69 Roadster parts car

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #38
forestghost07 Marco Sinai Florida, USA 1972 MG MGB GT "Viajero" 1999 Chevrolet Blazer "Works For Gas"	Posted: February 24, 2012 02:41PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 2,333

For Kaduku and anyone else interested - here's my shifter shortened 1 1/8" at mid-shaft. I also cut off 1/2" excess thread so the knob won't poke the emblem right out again. I'm using 2 boots (leather over rubber) for a little more heat and noise insulation.

I had the console out to get behind the radio console to tidy up wiring and swap blower switch (yeah I reached it that way). Replaced the nylon shifter bushing and greased everything with the clingiest stuff I know of (see pic).

It's delightful to shift now thumbs up smiley

dosen't feel like driving a bus no more haha smiling smiley

My machinist friend charged me a 6 pack of Heiney's smileys with beer

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #39
kaduku Dakine Bruddah San Francisco Bay Area, USA 1971 MG MGB "Kaduku"	Posted: February 24, 2012 04:01PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 685

Marco,
Looks perfect! You're interior is really looking sharp man!

Thanks for the pics!

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Re: Anyone ever shortened the shift lever? #40
The old NZMGBs Paul WIERINGA Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand	Posted: February 25, 2012 10:48PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 456

When I put Toyota boxes in a couple of my B’s I joined the bottom Toyota bit to a reshaped and threaded piece of steel to come out the tunnel hole/gaiter in the right place and take the MG knobs.
I don’t think I shorted the overall length though – perhaps I should. It would be nice to have them chromed too.
Paul ;-)

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