Potential Very Cheap DIY Short Shifter *UPDATED* Options

[Coomer]

Hey guys,
Over the weekend I installed a custom short shifter in my fourth gen. GT-S. Total cost was $29.94 shipped and insured(and that includes a new shift knob too), and all it required was a couple hours of custom work...no welding or anything like that either.

Basically, I used a '00+ Eclipse/Lancer/EVO Short Shifter, which is readily available for cheap on eBay.

After taking the shifter assembly out of my car, disassembling it, and cutting it apart(which took over an hour because the '88's assembly is solid, thick steel and I had no good tools available to cut it...the sixth gen's is plastic.), I put the Mitsubishi short shifter in, did more cutting, placed it in the car, and bolted it in(with longer bolts from a hardware store) with tons of bushings and washers to elevate the assembly and prevent the shift linkage cable from hitting the floor of the car.

It wasn't too hard of a process(and the really hard part was cutting the metal, which would be very easy on the sixth gen. because it's plastic), and I think the short shifter will work perfectly in a sixth gen. as well.

If you guys are interested, tonight I can take apart my stock sixth gen. shifter(I have a TRD Quickshifter which I love), and see if the Mitsubishi short shifter will fit in it. If so, I could write up a detailed how-to for you guys. Let me know if you're interested.

[C3L1CA]

Sounds interesting

[thedevilmaycrie]

very interested bro call me tonight if you need help

-DMC

[Coomer]

very interested bro call me tonight if you need help

-DMC
[right][snapback]210553[/snapback][/right]

Alright Bryan...The only thing I may need help on is getting someone to test this if it looks like the short shifter will fit...though I can be almost 100% positive tonight if it'll fit or if it won't.

I'll let you guys know.

Oh yeah, The total cost was actually closer to $34.00. I forgot that I had to buy four extended bolts, four nylon bushings, and I used 21 stainless steel washers.

[thedevilmaycrie]

and you said you mechanically retarded ... lmao

-DMC

[Batman722]

I am interested in this

[Coomer]

and you said you mechanically retarded ... lmao

-DMC
[right][snapback]210564[/snapback][/right]

It's true! I can do the basic stuff like a short shifter, but I could never do the mechanical part of an engine swap or replace my own clutch or something like that.

[turboinduction]

very interested bro call me tonight if you need help

-DMC
[right][snapback]210553[/snapback][/right]

Alright Bryan...The only thing I may need help on is getting someone to test this if it looks like the short shifter will fit...though I can be almost 100% positive tonight if it'll fit or if it won't.

I'll let you guys know.

Oh yeah, The total cost was actually closer to $34.00. I forgot that I had to buy four extended bolts, four nylon bushings, and I used 21 stainless steel washers.
[right][snapback]210556[/snapback][/right]

damn chris, 34 bucks NOW! your breaking the bank here . Let me know if you get this finished

-Ti

[WannabeGT4]

and you said you mechanically retarded ... lmao

-DMC
[right][snapback]210564[/snapback][/right]

It's true! I can do the basic stuff like a short shifter, but I could never do the mechanical part of an engine swap or replace my own clutch or something like that.
[right][snapback]210574[/snapback][/right]

When you get down to it it's just nuts and bolts... and a little confidence. A manual is also a must. If you can fabricate your own short shifter for a 4th gen celi from a shifter for an 00+ eclipse you need to give yourself more credit.

[Coomer]

Ugh...doesn't look like I can get around to this tonight...I've been studying for a while, and I've still got more to do before my test tomorrow.

But tomorrow night I'll do it for sure.

[eclipse_04a]

any update? i could go for a $40 short shifter....

[Digndoug]

Yeah def let us know, I would love to do this... and am up for a lil more modding.

This post has been edited by Digndoug: Nov 26, 2004 - 12:25 AM

[macavely]

this is why this site is so great..

and yea Coomer find out for us.. cause if it can be done i'll be doing this mod as ASAP

[Akimbo]

blue94celi lol. how cute. im ryanst204

[Coomer]

Doh! I forgot...good thing you guys bumped this back up.

I'll check soon.

[Digndoug]

bump...

[urbandork]

[/quote]
...The only thing I may need help on is getting someone to test this if it looks like the short shifter will fit...
[right][snapback]210556[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

i wouldnt mind testing it out. Let me know about the details first tho.

This post has been edited by urbandork: Nov 27, 2004 - 1:47 AM

[orvillescelica]

Nice job Commer! let us know if the assembly will work. A $40 short shifter will be a must for everyone if it works out right.

[forkee]

yea im definitely still interested, any luck?

[Coomer]

Hopefully today I can find time to work on this...I've been working on a school project most of the break though.

[urbandork]

take ur time work before pleasure

[Digndoug]

Bump....

[CheesyLobster]

oooOOOOooo,
I can't wait!

[Digndoug]

anything yet commer???

[Coomer]

anything yet commer???
[right][snapback]213800[/snapback][/right]

Not yet...still finishing up my research paper for engineering physics...then I'm off to the store for some coffee and Pepsi to keep me up, then I have to do two math assignments, one physics problem, and three extra credit article summaries for my economics class...then bed.

But hopefully tomorrow I'll get around to it after my econ. final.

[importceli]

ohhh man i cant wait hahah! im so excited x-mas here we come baby

[orvillescelica]

im excited too!

but no rush Coomer, remember to get some sleep after that final!

[Digndoug]

I hear ya. Im getting into my last week of classes, and then exams soon, but then again.. i havnt been able to work on anything.

[eclipse_04a]

yeah, school sucks, but it is more important than a cheap short shifter....i havent had much time for my car between school and work, but then again, i dont have any money either, so i guess it doesnt matter a whole lot that i dont have time.

[Digndoug]

BUMP, just so it dosnt get lost..

[eclipse_04a]

hmm...if i had money id try it, i have all the time in the world, lol. guess ill just stick to snowboarding, since all i pay is the gas to get there.

[Coomer]

Sigh...I'll get to this at some point. Lately I've been doing schoolwork and attempting to get my GT-S working, but Toyota made such a big mistake with that car it's ridiculous.

[946thGenGT]

Sigh...I'll get to this at some point. Lately I've been doing schoolwork and attempting to get my GT-S working, but Toyota made such a big mistake with that car it's ridiculous.
[right][snapback]215934[/snapback][/right]

As another owner of a 4th Gen GT-S I'm curious to know what the big mistake was?

This post has been edited by 946thGenGT: Dec 2, 2004 - 4:33 PM

[Coomer]

Sigh...I'll get to this at some point. Lately I've been doing schoolwork and attempting to get my GT-S working, but Toyota made such a big mistake with that car it's ridiculous.
[right][snapback]215934[/snapback][/right]

As another owner of a 4th Gen GT-S I'm curious to know what the big mistake was?
[right][snapback]215949[/snapback][/right]

The starter wires...lots of GT-S owners experience problems with them. They're too small and over time build up resistance, to the point where sometimes the car won't start, but if you wait a few minutes, it will sometimes start. That's a major, major problem, and I don't understand why Toyota never realized this and recalled the GT-S models.

Also, the starter wires touch the block, and accessing them to replace them at the starter itself is not easy. To even get the starter out, the exhaust has to be removed. And that I can't do myself, so I'm stuck taking my car to Toyota most likely to get this done.

[importceli]

/\ damn that sucks...btw hows the short shifter goin

[Digndoug]

COOMER, why cant you remove the exhaust?? I thought ya were pretty handy with cars..

[Coomer]

COOMER, why cant you remove the exhaust?? I thought ya were pretty handy with cars..
[right][snapback]216065[/snapback][/right]

No air tools...

[946thGenGT]

Sigh...I'll get to this at some point. Lately I've been doing schoolwork and attempting to get my GT-S working, but Toyota made such a big mistake with that car it's ridiculous.
[right][snapback]215934[/snapback][/right]

As another owner of a 4th Gen GT-S I'm curious to know what the big mistake was?
[right][snapback]215949[/snapback][/right]

The starter wires...lots of GT-S owners experience problems with them. They're too small and over time build up resistance, to the point where sometimes the car won't start, but if you wait a few minutes, it will sometimes start. That's a major, major problem, and I don't understand why Toyota never realized this and recalled the GT-S models.

Also, the starter wires touch the block, and accessing them to replace them at the starter itself is not easy. To even get the starter out, the exhaust has to be removed. And that I can't do myself, so I'm stuck taking my car to Toyota most likely to get this done.
[right][snapback]215966[/snapback][/right]

Oh... that. Yeah, that's the main reason I parked the car. I got sick of it not starting on me 50% of the time. I'm sure it's a cheap fix but I was too lazy to do it so I just bought a new car instead. =P

[Digndoug]

COOMER, why cant you remove the exhaust?? I thought ya were pretty handy with cars..
[right][snapback]216065[/snapback][/right]

No air tools...
[right][snapback]216070[/snapback][/right]

HaHa No air tools.. I would say seems like a good reason, but i have only used air tools once.. an have replaced/removed many exhauust an other crap. But im sure i was lucky after tourqin them bitches for 30 mins at a time.. lol

By the way, (the reason for my post) What kind of air tools did you have an how good were they? Iv been looking to get some, but dont know any one that has any to get feedback.

[Digndoug]

BUMP!

[importceli]

bump bump, this one is DEF not gettin lost.

[Dickster223]

I cant wait any longer for this to get back on top.

[Digndoug]

Hey coomer, where u find out about this working in the 4th gen?? Could u post the link, maybe il give it a try so i can stop buggin ya. Thanks

This post has been edited by Digndoug: Dec 15, 2004 - 2:36 PM

[Coomer]

Hey coomer, where u find out about this working in the 4th gen?? Could u post the link, maybe il give it a try so i can stop buggin ya. Thanks
[right][snapback]221839[/snapback][/right]

Well, it's not the same as working on the fourth gen's shifter. It's a way different setup. Tonight I'll see if I can somehow get the second pin out of the shifter assembly and see if it works.

[Coomer]

So I was working on this for a bit last night, but I couldn't find something the right size to punch that second pin out with. I'll look more tonight and see what I can get figured out.

[eclipse_04a]

do you have pics of your progress? cuz i have no idea what your talking about for pins and such...

oh, and on the topic of shifters, how do i get the shift knob and boot off on our cars? i know how to get the trim for the bottom up, but thats it.....

[Digndoug]

do you have pics of your progress? cuz i have no idea what your talking about for pins and such...

oh, and on the topic of shifters, how do i get the shift knob and boot off on our cars? i know how to get the trim for the bottom up, but thats it.....
[right][snapback]222395[/snapback][/right]

HaHa sorry for laughing. The shift know comes off just by un-screwing it, then just slip off the boot.

[eclipse_04a]

thats what i figured....but never tried. ive never had a manual car before....im still learning some thing....thats what these forums are for....and for coomer to find cheap mods for us

[Coomer]

Oh, I was telling Digndoug last night, I was working on it, and I'm almost certain that it will work. I'm going to pull out the shifter from my GT-S when I can find some daylight and see if it'll fit and measure some things. So not quite yet, but progress is being made.

[Digndoug]

[importceli]

w00t w00t go baby go, im down for a short shifter.

[Digndoug]

Coomer u get any farther on this?

[rlan214]

hope this thing works cuz stock shifter ish tooo high

[thedevilmaycrie]

hey coomer if can i get dibs on th prototype?

-DMC

[Digndoug]

hey coomer if can i get dibs on th prototype?

-DMC
[right][snapback]224619[/snapback][/right]

Its not any dif they what u buy on e-bay for $28. He was mentioning u u just need to change bolts and add washers.

[DSRT-FX]

hey hey,
coomer hows the short shifter going? still busy are you? damnz this is the longest tread running i've seen here lol

[Coomer]

Yeah, sigh...maybe tonight I can get to it.

[Digndoug]

Damn an I got all excited..

[eclipse_04a]

bumpity bump...havent been around for a while and looking for the answers....

[Digndoug]

2 day bump..

[Coomer]

If it stops snowing, maybe I can do it today. It's still freezing and my garage is filled with cars though.

[Coomer]

OK,
I just tested this out, and I'm almost completely positive that it'll work. I didn't want to take out my TRD Quickshifter though, so I'm not sure how short the throw will be. I know it will be shorter than stock though, and the lever is also quite a bit shorter.

Someone should order this and put it in their car and see how it improves shifting.

That's the exact one I ordered, and it's constructed well and comes with a shift knob that screws on and off.

[Digndoug]

Well, I just ordered it, well bought it, and will tear mine apart and instal when it get here, thank commer for spend you time figureing thi out for us, and if it dont work im gunna track u down an kick ur arse..




j/k

[Coomer]

Well, I just ordered it, well bought it, and will tear mine apart and instal when it get here, thank commer for spend you time figureing thi out for us, and if it dont work im gunna track u down an kick ur arse..   




j/k
[right][snapback]231694[/snapback][/right]

If it doesn't work you can sell it to a fourth gen. guy, or a EVO/Eclipse/Lancer owner.

[Dickster223]

Did it fit?

[Coomer]

Did it fit?
[right][snapback]233451[/snapback][/right]

Digndoug ordered the short shifter and will be test fitting it in his car.

[Digndoug]

Did it fit?
[right][snapback]233451[/snapback][/right]

Digndoug ordered the short shifter and will be test fitting it in his car.
[right][snapback]233463[/snapback][/right]

Well Ik havnt got it yet, and the ups tracking says it wont be here till the 18th, Which kinda sucks, becuase that means i wont be ablke to pull apart my shifter assemble till that weekend cause thats when classes start. But il tyr to do it once i get it and let ya'll know.

[politicsareevil]

I know this hasnt totally been tested yet, but when it is installed on your celica, please give us a step by step (or as best you can given any time constraints you have) on how to put this in I need one of these big time. I cannot as well as most of us cannot stand our yard stick long throw.


Thanks,



Matt

[Digndoug]

Ok Ok. here it is, It dosnt work..

[politicsareevil]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Dammit I wish there were a way to fit a cheap short throw.


Thanks guys,


Peace,

Matt

[Digndoug]

Ok I was just kidding. I got it in today, the stupidist time i coudla did it, but wanted to let people know soon as posbile if it would work.

Good news: It works. I havnt driving my car aroun yet, cause the batt died on me. So Im not sure how it feels, but it feels nice in mny car just sitting there.

Bad news: It took a while but i think they all do. The "How to" Is pretty much the same instructions as coomers shifter install in how to's. But you have to pop to pins to pull the old ****er out of the plastic assemble. Then to have the other one fit in, The two plastic knobs that sit on the two ends need to be pulled and added to the new lancer one. This is were the problem is, Your going to have to take it to a granding wheel or dremle it. I had a wheel so it work for me. There too big so they will need to be shaved down to properly fit. (that was the biggist problem i ran into) Then re-install it into the shifter then to have it fit in right, ytou need to get 4 new bolts, and washers. I used i think 9 washers on each bolt underneth to raise it. One thing is, I need to fix is, i could get one bolt in right, i think i screwed them all in on an angle or somthing. Im not sure. but its still in an dosnt hit anything.

Over all, I think its worth it if u really want a shorter shifter. I personally never thought out shift was that bad, compared to all other cars iv driving with stock shifters. I probley wouldnt do it againl, becuase i have a feeling somthing might go wrong when i go out driving tomorrow. Overal cost was $27.95 for shifter then another $10 at the hard ware store for bolts and washers. soo ended up being $37.95

If u have any more questions pm me, il try to help the best i can.

[Coomer]

Can you take pictures of exactly what needed grinding? Are you talking about the plastic end caps on the ball ends of the shifter?

Also, the bolts should have gone in fairly easily...I hope you didn't cross thread them, as that wouldn't be safe probably.

[Digndoug]

Can you take pictures of exactly what needed grinding? Are you talking about the plastic end caps on the ball ends of the shifter?

Also, the bolts should have gone in fairly easily...I hope you didn't cross thread them, as that wouldn't be safe probably.
[right][snapback]235471[/snapback][/right]

My cameras being tarded, il try using my buddies camera tomorrow. The peaces that needign grinding down are the balls that connect to teh shift linkage.

ALso I hope i didnt cross thread too. I dont think i did, but seems like i some how got the bolts going in odd. Tomorrow if i get time before class i will pull them back out and try again.

[Digndoug]

Ok, More good news, Just went out for atest drive in the snow, and it seems like i would say 60% shorter, and sits about 2-1/2 inchs lower then stock. Its still a little stiff and dosnt like reside in the middle of netrual. Like u have to know where ur gears are, and u need to use a lot more force to put into gear.

Il try and get some pics up in a lil when i find my camera, which will show what u have to cut and un-bolt and the final look, maybe commer can help make it a nice how-to, cause in know its hard enough for people to understand what i type let alone follow my instructioins.

[Vibe]

What about Honda short shifters? Those are like 10 bucks Also I am a lil confused is it a good idea to do this or too much work?

[Digndoug]

Ok Commer, if u wanna fix these, or somehow make an how-to for these, here are some pics with what needs to be done, after following your how-to for ur shifter install.

Also somew things that were not to clear in the first how-to.
The pin underneth needs to be undone slide to eathier sides to drop the linkage off.


Also another pin, this needs to be pulled out for the other shifter linkage.


First, once u have the whole plastgic shifte assemble out, theres a cap on the one end, that jsut needs to be pried off. Take a flat head and go from side to side and pop it off


Then on the other side, the pin inside, just take some small/big enough to go inside and hit the pin then hammer it out, i used an allen key cause it was right next to me.


As you can see comparing the balls, one is biger then the other. The right/bigger one, is the new shifter. Your going to need to grind it down and still keep it in a ball form to fit in the plastic caps that your taking off the stock shifter.


Once that is done, then place it back in your plastic assemble. then reverse to put back togeather and it.
When your putting the shifter assemble back in, ur going to need 4 new bolts, I went to the hard ware store and got 1.25 pitch bolts that were about 1 inch longer that worked, and used 9 washers underneth then oneon top of the assemble.

once u have those bolt them in and then ur done.
Heres some quick picks i took of it in, I lost my boot, not sure when or where, but im makeing a new consol, once the weather warms up.

[Digndoug]

What about Honda short shifters? Those are like 10 bucks    Also I am a lil confused is it a good idea to do this or too much work?
[right][snapback]235592[/snapback][/right]

A HONDA will NOT Work. Also now that I just went for a drive, its a good idea, just make sure u have enough time patiance and grinder of some sort , a dremle with the right bits will work.

[Vibe]

Is there anyway you can get the measurments of the ball after its grinded? So I can take it somewhere and have it cut to the right size before I have to pull out my stock one? Thanks, I plan on doing this soon, also do you reccomond taking out the entire plastic peice or is there an easyer way of doing it?

[Digndoug]

Is there anyway you can get the measurments of the ball after its grinded? So I can take it somewhere and have it cut to the right size before I have to pull out my stock one? Thanks, I plan on doing this soon, also do you reccomond taking out the entire plastic peice or is there an easyer way of doing it?
[right][snapback]235606[/snapback][/right]

Theres no exact demensions. I wopuld sugest going to home-depot and finding a cheap dremle of the sort, my buddie got a black and decker one for $20, and then just get a sander bit and metal bristle bit. if you look closly theres only a slight bit of a dif so it dosnt fit. I just kept grinding it all the way around till it fit.

And about removing it, yes your going to want to remove it, its already a pain working on what u have to while its in there, and wil be to hard leaving it in.

[Coomer]

Good info. I'll see if I can work on a how-to at some point.

So is the throw a huge difference from stock? Is it too hard to shift gears on a daily basis?

[Digndoug]

Good info. I'll see if I can work on a how-to at some point.

So is the throw a huge difference from stock? Is it too hard to shift gears on a daily basis?
[right][snapback]235694[/snapback][/right]

I would say the throw is probley reduced around 60%, so yeah a good amount, i noticed when i went on a back road earlier, i was saying in higher rpms when i was shifting.. so I think its def nicer. I wouldnt say its to hard to shift for nomr driving but it is stiff. Its a lil stiffer then my brothers civic short shifter. Im not sure if its because i put grease alla round the ball and its gumming up from the cold or what. but im hoping some more driving will loosing it up, it already felt a lil looser when driving it home this morn compared to last night, so we'll see.

But to most I am def glad I did it. and worth the money

[Dickster223]

So are you saying buy one or just save and get the real deal?

[LatinKraze]

Too bad i dont have a grinder or dremel. Will any dremel work? I guess what im asking is, Will my cheap dremel be able to handle such grinding or is the metal maleable enought to file into shape?

[Digndoug]

Too bad i dont have a grinder or dremel. Will any dremel work? I guess what im asking is, Will my cheap  dremel be able to handle such grinding or is the metal maleable enought to file into shape?
[right][snapback]236268[/snapback][/right]

yeah it should, just get a nice bit, and make sure u keep it round. u might even be able to use a metal file.


I would say its worth it, cause I dont think any shifter is worth $170

[Rjb23]

Why not just use a shor shifter from a 7th gen?

[Digndoug]

Why not just use a shor shifter from a 7th gen?
[right][snapback]236329[/snapback][/right]

Dont think they will work, and they are also just as expensive.

[Rjb23]

Nah you can get the same type of shifter as the lancer, eclipse one for $30 off of ebay. I figure it would be easier to get it to fit since it is for a celica. I just ordered one I'll let you know how it fits.

[Digndoug]

Nah you can get the same type of shifter as the lancer, eclipse one for $30 off of ebay. I figure it would be easier to get it to fit since it is for a celica. I just ordered one I'll let you know how it fits.
[right][snapback]236446[/snapback][/right]

well, the only onces I found were already $47 shipped, thats more then i paid total. But it also seems it comes with some washers/spacers that might work. good luck with it.

[Vibe]

Awesome idea about the 7thgen shifter, let us know if its easyer cause I don't have a dremel =(

[Rjb23]

Yea they are $47 shipped but it already has new bolts and spacers so I thought it may work better and easier than the other one.

[Digndoug]

Yea they are $47 shipped but it already has new bolts and spacers so I thought it may work better and easier than the other one.
[right][snapback]236635[/snapback][/right]

Keep in mind the bolts an spacers might not wokr, also for the rear ones, your going to need somthing slimer, cause there going to make the consol bend out a lil.

[Vibe]

Any news? (bump)

[Coomer]

Any news? (bump)
[right][snapback]239110[/snapback][/right]

On what? Doug confirmed that it works fine.

[Digndoug]

Any news? (bump)
[right][snapback]239110[/snapback][/right]

On what? Doug confirmed that it works fine.
[right][snapback]239239[/snapback][/right]

Yes it works great, a lil stiff, but i think its because i put bearing grease and the cold is making it hard to shift. The other day when itw asnt freezing out, more like 40 degrees, I was shifting perfect, and very niceley, Im very glad i did it, and def for the price.

[Vibe]

Okay is there gonna be a how to soon? And what about the guy trying the 7th gen shifter?

[Digndoug]

Okay is there gonna be a how to soon? And what about the guy trying the 7th gen shifter?
[right][snapback]239284[/snapback][/right]

I pasicly wrote a how-to if u read back some. I was hoping maybe coomer, when he gets time, could make it look better and put it into the how-to's

[politicsareevil]

Wasnt somebody gonna jump on here and let us know about whether or not the 7th gen shifter works on ours?????

[Digndoug]

Wasnt somebody gonna jump on here and let us know about whether or not the 7th gen shifter works on ours?????
[right][snapback]241999[/snapback][/right]

try to pm rjb23 .. he's the one doing the 7th gen. but the lancer/evo one works perfect.