Short shifter installation

[djet820]

I just got a short shifter from a friend. I've heard it's really easy to install it yourself but I don't really know that much about cars. Should I just take it to a shop or could I do this myself? if I can, could somebody give me some tips

[danegod]

i thought all you had to do was take off the cover over your shifter, unhook the cables and install it then hook everything back up. what kind of car do you have?

[Bee18c]

Originally posted by danegod
i thought all you had to do was take off the cover over your shifter, unhook the cables and install it then hook everything back up. what kind of car do you have?

It is a little more complicated than that.

1. Jack up the car
2. Remove Catalic Converter
3. Unbolt the shift linkage from the shifter.
4. install and bolt everything back up.

This swap is very easy, and if you have money go get some prothane mount for the shifter. Also since you own a G2, that I have many years experience on, you must remove the Heatshield from the Catalic Converter. Or else everything you shift you will be hitting it.

[stu]

I did it a little while ago, it's surprisingly easy, if I didn't have school I'd help you do it.

[exciv2000]

you can do it without removing the cat... I did.

[djet820]

I don't have a jack, only jack I have is so I can change the tires. But now that i'm looking at the short shifter...it doesn't seem that much shorter but I could be wrong...

[danegod]

its amazing what you can do with a little imagination. i used my trunck jack, and my spare tire, to rotate my tires once. cause i dont have any jack stands

[Bee18c]

Originally posted by exciv2000
you can do it without removing the cat... I did.

On a G2 the shifter is right under the cat, so yes you do have to remove it along with the heatshield.

[stu]

The shifter is not really shorter in over all length. It's the position of the ball on the shifter that is different. Notice how it is much higher up on the short shifter? Actually, you won't be able to tell until you have the factory one out, but you will be able to see it then. The throw is much shorter and feels much better once you get used to it.

[djet820]

Originally posted by stu
The shifter is not really shorter in over all length. It's the position of the ball on the shifter that is different. Notice how it is much higher up on the short shifter? Actually, you won't be able to tell until you have the factory one out, but you will be able to see it then. The throw is much shorter and feels much better once you get used to it.

That's what I thought but i'm still learning about cars and was skeptical. But now there's a problem cause I jsut installed it (and you don't have to remove the cat if you know how to maneuver hehe). Since the ball is higher, the point where it's supposed to connect to the shift linkage is rubbing hard against the heat shield. So the shift linkage won't even fit. I was wondering if I'd be able to take off the heatshield or did I do something wrong?

[stu]

Bee18c already said that you must remove the heat shield. I did and it works and fits just fine.

[95GSRB18C]

sometimes you have to cut one side of the hanger that holds your exhaust up so it hangs a little lower and gives you more room because the bottom part is actually longer.

[David]

dont use the sizzor jack, its unsafe, and a pain in the ass to use. Get a floorJack and jackstands. The limit of the factory jack is an oil change, and even at that you are pushing it.

[stu]

The hanger on the exhaust won't matter in this case Brian, the heat shield is bolted right to the car and this is what is rubbing on the shifter, he just has to remove it. You won't notice any differences, well excpet being able to drive, but that's all.