I have a 2000 SE w/ manual transmission...i want to shorten the shifter...and suggestions on compatible kits, or how to go about doing this on my own would be appreciated
I am 5'7"-ish, and I also find that the shifter length is about right. If it were too much shorter, I would have to lean forward to shift.
Before you committ to cutting anything, I would suggest that you practice driving by grabbing the "shaft" portion of the stick just to see if you are comfortable making the (likely) further reach.
Couldn't you just get a Body Lift and leave out the extension :p
Posted by: Anonymous
Re: Manual transmission - 02/07/0307:22 AM
the reach won't be a problem...really want to find a way to make the throws shorter...i'm guessing i'd need some sort of kit for this, but haven't been able to find one...thanks for the info guys
Originally posted by KJ_dragon: I would suggest that you practice driving by grabbing the "shaft" portion of the stick just to see if you are comfortable making the (likely) further reach.
Am I the only one that thinks that sounds a little funny?
I found the original manual shifter to be too tall and combined with the 'circus tent' shift boot to be downright, what were they thinking, ugly. The upper part of the shifter is a vibration damper - there is rubber bonded to the inside of the 'fat' tube and then bonded to a rod inside. Getting the damper off is a royal PITA while in the vehicle. Removing the shifter from the transmission and working in the shop would be my choice next time. When finished the remaining shifter is shorter and IIRC about the right diameter for 10x1.25mm threads. I found the resulting location a bit too low and far away for me. So I made an offset that raised the new shift knob and moved it twards me to provide good shifting action. Without the damper, some noise and vibration will come thru the shaft. A medium to heavy shift knob will reduce it to modest levels.
Originally posted by DaveDatsun: I found the original manual shifter to be too tall and combined with the 'circus tent' shift boot to be downright, what were they thinking, ugly.
I remember reading an auto magazine's review of the Xterra back when the 2000's first came out, and the guy said the 5-speed shifter was so tall that it "would look right at home in a Czechoslovakian bus." That struck me as pretty funny even though I've never actually seen a Czechoslovakian bus.
Originally posted by DaveDatsun: I found the original manual shifter to be too tall and combined with the 'circus tent' shift boot to be downright, what were they thinking, ugly.
One of the first things I did was cut the tent, and lowered it, showing more shaft. More pleasing to the eye IMO. Then installed a larger diameter universal fit shift knob with a tilt head, (lost about 1" of height) Simple and easy.
Originally posted by xcanuk: [QUOTE]One of the first things I did was cut the tent, and lowered it, showing more shaft. More pleasing to the eye IMO. Then installed a larger diameter universal fit shift knob with a tilt head, (lost about 1" of height) Simple and easy.
Got pics? I actually like the tent all the way to the knob but would be interested in seeing what your mod looks like.