I just finished fabricating a Ratfink style long-throw stick shifter for my Pinto Wagon. I haven't taken any photos yet, but the test drive today was fun as hell! Of course the obvious stares from passersby seems to have doubled and big rig truck drivers take notice. The process was fairly simple, if anyone wants to know, I'll post instructions or even make them. The one main issue is clearance of the steering wheel for the reverse gear, so bends have to be put on the rod at a couple key places. It took a lot of trial and error before I got it right, but the effect remains impressive!
Interesting... If you have a sunroof open you could have the knob waving around in the sun !
good idea !
I have also heard of cutting and retheading the shifter to get the shortest shifter throw.
Carry on Modding !
Dennis
Yeah, making a short throw shifter is something that the kids do to the newer four banger cars (i.e. Fast & Furious). Apparently it saves like a seriously insignificant amount of time during gear shifts (like less than 10ths of a second). The long throw I guess does the opposite, but the point I have with my long throw is the fact that I want to look as cool as possible at the red lights... the shift knob is at the same height as the steering wheel, so it looks almost like ape hangers on a bike when I'm putting it in 1st or 3rd gear. I'll get a photo soon.
Quote from: SageNip on October 20, 2004, 10:16:33 AM
Yeah, making a short throw shifter is something that the kids do to the newer four banger cars (i.e. Fast & Furious). Apparently it saves like a seriously insignificant amount of time during gear shifts (like less than 10ths of a second).
I am a "kid" and the only four banger car i own is my Pinto.
i was looking to install a short throw shifter only for the sole fact that the gears are closer and i don't have to move my arm as much.
Not all kids are doing it for unrealistic cut in time, some of us actually think things logically.
point is, don't say "the kids" and throw all of us into one stereotypical category... i mean, that's just rude. that's like if i were to say people of your age group drive old cars and such because they are afraid of new technology lol (see? just doesn't make sense :lol:)
Love to see picks of it! I laugh when I see pintos being tweeked to old styling customizations. Traditional style for a "untraditional" car as many would say. Too modern as they are newer then 69. But, I believe I hope to use many old building cues for my custom job and make it look more like a traditional rod. LOL>
Original post was 6 1/2 years ago, what ever happened to SageNip, he was quite comical at times
And don't ask why that's his member name! lol! :lol: