1952-59 Ford T-5 short throw shiftier installation

I posted this on the main board but Jeff ask me to post it here also along with how I installed the quadrant to use a cable controlled clutch, I will be posting this within the next couple of weeks, I am replacing the original plastic Mustang quadrant and cable with a Summit aluminum quadrant and adjustable cable which the original is not, I have to figure that part out but I will take photo's as I go.

T-5 Short shiftier installation.

I received a PM this morning asking me if I ever installed the short throw shiftier in the wagon and I did and have really enjoyed how much better it works, I was under the impression that it would almost install itself and took a little longer than I thought.

This is the replacement shiftier and ***orted parts.







When I talked to the members that had done this conversion I kept hearing the kit I used is just as good as the higher priced pieces and from what I have experienced they were correct, it shifts flawlessly and it is a big improvement, there is absolutely no rattles or shaking when cruising at highway speeds in 5th gear.

It didn't just fall in place, the first thing I notice is when I cut the floor for the shiftier when we were building the car the opening was adequate but to remove the shiftier the hole had to be bigger and I had to resort to using tin snips to remove more metal, I also had to cut the carpet more than the shiftier boot would cover, Damn the torpedoes full speed ahead I would worry about that later!

I measured the throw before I removed the original shiftier from the transmission and the throw was almost 13 inches from 1st. to 2nd.





After removing the original piece



I test fitted the new part and discovered two of the bolt holes must have been drilled off center, I just stepped up one size with the drill bit and relieved all 4 holes, everything fit as it should, I then tried to bolt my old Hurst shiftier handle to the new piece, that;s when I discovered the cheaper shiftier being made off shore the holes were spaced different that the original Mustang shiftier which I had modified my shift handle to fit.

I ended up cutting the bottom of the shiftier off and fabricating a new piece and re-drilled
it to match the threaded part of the new piece.



This is in first gear now.



Living with the new shiftier for a few months and it now has a 7 1/2" throw Brenda doesn't have to lean over to put the car in 5th gear anymore, so we both are happy with the conversion. HRP

 

I'm ***uming you're using something other than the stock Mustang tail section. My shifter is almost under the seat.

 

No sir, I am using the same transmission & engine that was in the Mustang I removed it from, In the last photo it shows with the seat as far back as it will go, I'm tall. with the seat moved forward the shiftier arm misses the seat by about two inches. HRP

 

I added a link to this thread on the "Sticky FAQ" on Page 6, Thanks HRP.

 

Is the short throw from Summit too or ebay?

 

I guess it's possible the trans sits further back when mounted behind a y block. That's what I'm running.

 

That could be possible, where their is a will there is a way, I used a old Hurst shiftier stick and modified it to move the actual mount on the stick forward.

Summit has a stick that would possibly help with the shiftier being further back. HRP

Information here

 

I ordered mine from Amazon, my wife had built up a lot of buyers points from amazon.

You really need to know what year your transmission is, they are available through Summit, Jegs or ebay. HRP

 

That's the lever I used. It puts the knob in a comfortable position, but it's just about under the seat.

 

i recently changed the extension housing on my t5 box because of the same problem you are having.....
what the new extension housing does is move the shifter a full 10 inches forward and the difference is like nite and day,at the same time also installed the short throw shift.....the car is still in pieces so have not run it yet...
the company i bought it all from is malwood automotive it is an aussie made kit no chinese **** but it is not cheap at about $1600.00. i did see on an american site almost the same thing a lot cheaper but cannot remember who it was.

 

It also looks like you reinforced the firewall with a piece of steel, maybe angle iron?

 

Good eye and your right I did, when I removed the cable from the mustang I noticed the firewall in that car had a reinforcement piece so I just used a piece of angle iron. HRP