pondering a short throw shifter Options

[Zimluura]

so at first i was thinking about getting the twm. but after searching for reviews it seems like:
a) the twm is more for looks than function, shortens the knob, so a shorter hand movement, but the same pivot point.
b) the twm 7th gen fits the 6gc and is actually more functional because of increased pivot height.
c) there are several off-brand kits on ebay for the 7th gen and many are supposed to be very good.

this one maybe:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Short-Shifter-TOYO...494&vxp=mtr

or maybe this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEGAN-SHORT-THROW-...daa&vxp=mtr

someone mentioned the purple spacers on a previous thread. but all the ebay links are gone now (as these will be soon too) but perhaps i can take a photo when/if i get one and post a more permanet review.

anyways, if anyone here can offer advice on which one to get i'd appreciate it.
looking mostly for a quicker shift. slightly lower might be sort of nice too (hand just feels a little high when i shift right now). really don't want to bump it into the handbrake.

thanks in advance

[trdproven]

all the short shifters are really the same, the concept REALLY is the shorter knob. 6th gen 7th gen don't matter they fit, some shorter throw than others. in terms of pivot, i cannot tell or distinguish if that exists or if there even is some noticeable advantage. the spacers are used to lift up the shifter assembly, so don't panic when you put the shorter knob next to the stock because they will look close in length but once you put it on, it will be shorter, tighter, crispier shifting.

[benzo]

i love my short throw.

it was off ebay for a eclipse i believe.

everyone who drives it also likes it..

i say do it if you can find it for cheap like i did

[Zimluura]

ok! ordered the 40 dollar one and will see how it goes. thanks for the advice.

[bruiseboy2]

I just got the same 40 dollar one. It went in very easily and feels great. The purple spacer one. Take the advice the information guide on this forum has, cut that small plastic piece under the boot instead of taking off the rocker panels. I know it seems kinda barbarian to just cut through your problems, but in this case it really does nothing for structural support and it just there to be annoying and in the way. good luck

[RabidTRD]

Let us know how it feels. I haven't liked any short shifters that I've felt on our cars yet. They all clunk and feel rattly to me. OEM feels so smooth and easy that idk if I want short throw. (besides, our throw isn't that big anyway. Try driving a 1980 corolla)

[mak5603]

Let us know how it feels. I haven't liked any short shifters that I've felt on our cars yet. They all clunk and feel rattly to me. OEM feels so smooth and easy that idk if I want short throw. (besides, our throw isn't that big anyway. Try driving a 1980 corolla)

Get the TRD quick shift kit, its so smooth. The reason you don't like the way any you have felt for our cars yet (and I am just assuming this, not based on knowledge) is that you are probably just trying cheap ones like Ebay and the 7th gen ones. I have a TRD on my 6th gen and a TWM on my alltrac, both kits are over $150.00, but I have NEVER regretted it, they both have performed extremely well for some time. I can't say the same for the people whose cars I have driven with Ebay short shifters.

Just my .02.

[Timmyface]

I have a 5th gen TWM in my car (for some reason the 7th wouldn't fit). It does change the throw quiet a lot, and the height dramatically. But, I think my assembly is a bit old and worn, but it's a little clunky for me too. It's hard to get in and out of certain gears at certain times.

[trdproven]

Let us know how it feels. I haven't liked any short shifters that I've felt on our cars yet. They all clunk and feel rattly to me. OEM feels so smooth and easy that idk if I want short throw. (besides, our throw isn't that big anyway. Try driving a 1980 corolla)

Get the TRD quick shift kit, its so smooth. The reason you don't like the way any you have felt for our cars yet (and I am just assuming this, not based on knowledge) is that you are probably just trying cheap ones like Ebay and the 7th gen ones. I have a TRD on my 6th gen and a TWM on my alltrac, both kits are over $150.00, but I have NEVER regretted it, they both have performed extremely well for some time. I can't say the same for the people whose cars I have driven with Ebay short shifters.

Just my .02.

its not that its ebay or 7th gen, they are just metal just like the TWM kits which are virtually the same. The difference is that the TRD quickshift's throw is not as low as the ones I mentioned. its all about upper and lower rod heights if you want to be specific. TRD one follows as close to OEM to maintain that feel. I would assume that they shortened upper rod height, and for lower rod height they either kept it as long or at least longer than the TWM/7th gen. while the shorter ones on ebay are just straight up shorter making it clunky. I have the 7th gen ones myself, I like how they are shorter and the clunky sound, but i agree, the TRD one probably is smoother due to OEM spec loyalty. I wouldnt mind trying out the trd but not at almost 300 dollars new.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Apr 16, 2012 - 8:02 PM

[mak5603]

Let us know how it feels. I haven't liked any short shifters that I've felt on our cars yet. They all clunk and feel rattly to me. OEM feels so smooth and easy that idk if I want short throw. (besides, our throw isn't that big anyway. Try driving a 1980 corolla)

Get the TRD quick shift kit, its so smooth. The reason you don't like the way any you have felt for our cars yet (and I am just assuming this, not based on knowledge) is that you are probably just trying cheap ones like Ebay and the 7th gen ones. I have a TRD on my 6th gen and a TWM on my alltrac, both kits are over $150.00, but I have NEVER regretted it, they both have performed extremely well for some time. I can't say the same for the people whose cars I have driven with Ebay short shifters.

Just my .02.

its not that its ebay or 7th gen, they are just metal just like the TWM kits which are virtually the same. The difference is that the TRD quickshift's throw is not as low as the ones I mentioned. its all about upper and lower rod heights if you want to be specific. TRD one follows as close to OEM to maintain that feel. I would assume that they shortened upper rod height, and for lower rod height they either kept it as long or at least longer than the TWM/7th gen. while the shorter ones on ebay are just straight up shorter making it clunky. I have the 7th gen ones myself, I like how they are shorter and the clunky sound, but i agree, the TRD one probably is smoother due to OEM spec loyalty. I wouldnt mind trying out the trd but not at almost 300 dollars new.

Yeah i got lucky and picked up one of the last ones before they were discontinued a few years ago. I think is was like $180 with the TRD shift knob. Great deal.

[trdproven]

whoah the other guy here just bought some from jp something and it was like 271 not shipped. I dont mind a TRD one if I can get a used one in decent condition.

[Zimluura]

wow, last month was busy. hoping to install this thing tomorrow. but i need some recomendations on what kind of greese to use.

i have some white lithium, would that be good? is there something better to use?

thanks in advance.

[lagos]

TRD is really the best one. I used to have a twm and it was too short. The trd is perfect.

[trdproven]

anyone want to sell me theirs? good price?

[Zimluura]

TRD is really the best one. I used to have a twm and it was too short. The trd is perfect.

Well, it looks like if i get one of the few remaining trd ones it'll cost 300 bucks or so. I already have a 40 dollar 7th gen one which i've been hearing mixed things about. I'll toss for the trd if this doesn't work out well. But does anyone know what kind of greese i should use when i install it?

This post has been edited by Zimluura: May 17, 2012 - 2:18 AM

[Zimluura]

got it installed, used white lithium after seeing it mentioned on the scion forums.

so far i like it allot: much shorter throws, and replacing the rubber bushings with metals ones makes the whole thing feel much more solid.

[dcolby10]

How much shorter is it than the stock short throw?

[Zimluura]

i think the stock one isn't a short throw. the throw on the shifter "feels" like half as much as the stock shifter's throw. no idea how it compares to the rare trd. i would guess that this a better buy than the twm shifter for the 6th gen, which leaves you with the stock (rubber) bushings, and about the same level of awesome as the twm for the 7th gen.

here's a photo album. i tried to get before and after shots in the exact same camera position (both in neutral).
photos for project

having the metal bushings on the bottom really makes it feel better to me. no more flex when i push the knob to one side or the other. the fulcrum is higher up now by maybe a half inch or so. it needs a little more force than before (lost leverage) but i don't dislike that. my hand doesn't rub the parking brake when i drive. when i pull up the parking brake with the button my knuckles touch the shifter a little, but the parking brake can go up just fine without the button.

[edit: grammar, context]

This post has been edited by Zimluura: May 20, 2012 - 1:24 PM