B&M Ripper 5-Speed install????????

[MustangMatt1966]

Hey guys, i just ordered a B&M Rpper 5-Speed short shifter for my t-5 trani. I was wondering if any of you knew a site that had a step by step install for this product. I have heard they are pretty easy to install and can be done in about a few hours of time. I know you all have wisdom beyond imagination and can come up with some answers for me. thanks again.

Matt

 

[gjz30075]

The shifter should come with instructions. Really straightforward and the only areas to worry about are the shifter stops. Put it in 2nd, run the stop screw up to it, back off a half turn and tighten the lock nut. Same for 3rd stop screw. Hope your trans is out of the car. Much easier that way. Or just lower the trans to give you clearance. Good luck.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

uggh oh, well what if the trans is in the car?????? will it be that big of a problem?

 

[gjz30075]

Remove the driveshaft and support the trans with a jack. Remove the trans crossmember bolts and slowly lower the trans. Be careful that the fan doesn't hit the radiator as the engine tilts up. It should give you enough working room to get it in.

I just installed a Hurst shifter in my T5 but the trans was out of the car. I can't see how it can be done easily in the car without the above procedure. Well worth the effort, though, because you'll like the shifting action of these aftermarket shifters.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

well damn....here i am ordering this thing thinking it will be easy to install with the trani in and bam it looks like it is going to be a whole lot more dificult than i thought it was going to be :-/

 

[MustangMatt1966]

bump...i thought there would be a lot more info on this..i know you guys out there have the answers for me

 

[VTStang66]

I installed my steeda tri-ax in the car; they're made to be installed with the tranny in the car I think. If you can get to the top of the trans (remove the console if you have one, shift boot, shift lever, etc.), you should be able to get the old shifter out and put the new one in. There are a few small bolts around the edge of the shifter; take those out, lift out the shifter, and put the new one in. Like gjz said, your shifter should come with pretty thorough instructions. Check the 5.0 forum too, this is more their thing than ours. Use the search function before you ask questions though, there have probably been 5 million threads on the subject. Good luck.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

thanks VT, thats just the answer i was hoping for, i figured they were able to be put in from the top....thanks so much, i am headed right over to the 5.0 forum...thanks

Matt

 

[Fostang]

Yeah they install from the top 4 13mm bolts.

Some rtv gasket the the new bolts.

If I remember right they are allen heads.

Maybe a good time to cut the tranny tunnel to the size now? no? In case it hast to come off again.

I use dynamat to seal it around. That way no road noise comes in nor does heat.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

alright, how would u go about cutting the tranny tunnel, i mean, like what tool???? so the shifter installs pretty easy correct? I seem to get myself into these projects that look like i can do them, and the always end up getting frustrated, stuck and have to take it to my mechanic to finish, i just dont want that to happen this time lol..thanks again

Matt

 

[MrBobMarley]

I used a sawzall dude. Really ends up being what you have available. I love my steeda tri-ax. I'll post a pics of the install if you want.

 

[Fostang]

The only down fall of a short throw shifter in classic is the stretching you do for the 3rd and 5th gear shift.

 

[MrBobMarley]

Really, you have to stretch? I'm not very tall at 6 foot, and the reach is just right.

 

[Fostang]

Really, you have to stretch? I'm not very tall at 6 foot, and the reach is just right.

67' thing?

my arm gets tired....agrressive driver maybe?

On long runs of shifting in traffic.


Mustang plus made that shifter that is easy to replicate and I've tried it out and it feels good.

 

[Strokedd66]

alright, how would u go about cutting the tranny tunnel, i mean, like what tool???? so the shifter installs pretty easy correct? I seem to get myself into these projects that look like i can do them, and the always end up getting frustrated, stuck and have to take it to my mechanic to finish, i just dont want that to happen this time lol..thanks again

Matt

Matt,

Cutting the tunnel so you can get to all the bolts is gunna leave you with one helluva hole that cannot be covered by your stock shifter boot. The 5.0 guys have it easy because their cars were built for T5's so they can often change these things out from inside the car. But not our old Stangs, the T5 shifter plate is a good 2" longer and 1" wider than the 4"x4" stock opening you have (By the time you finish enlarging the hole, there'll be nothing to screw your shifter boot to).

Better you to take the extra time to lower the trany the 1 - 2" inches to get to the bolts than to BUTCHER a perfectly good trany tunnel.

Just my $.02

 

[gjz30075]

What strokedd66 said is true. That is why I suggested lowering the trans. With the trans installed, it is tight against the trans tunnel floor. You only need to lower it about 3-4" to get the old shifter out and the new one in. Don't do something you can't undo.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

true, thing is i am not sure how to do all that, u think it would be a good idea to take to a shop to do all that or not?? i just dont want to get myself into something i cant do and have a car that is out of commision...

 

[VTStang66]

It's not hard to get the trans down a couple inches, just take the mount loose and lower it with a jack. The engine will tilt back, so as somebody else already said make sure the fan doesn't hit the radiator. You might have to take the fan off too but it's just 4 bolts. If you're going to have one of these cars you'll be a lot better off if you get in the habit of doing things like this yourself or you'll spend a fortune at the shop.

 

[MustangMatt1966]

ok, ur right, so just losten the crossmember the suports the trani, i dont have to unbolt it from the enging and drain all the fluid and such? it sounds simpl enough and u are right, i have to be a man and step up to the plate lol...k, so losten the bols on the crossmember of the trani and lower it a few inches to give me access to all the bolts on the shifter to get it out and replace it with the new one ..... i think i got it

 

[kslushy]

As a reference point, I have a b&m ripper shifter in my 89, and it shifts great; no complaints. My roommate is the biggest cheapskate ever, but he wanted a shifter in his LX as well (convinced him to get it), so he just bought the handle from Kona (Pro-50). For the $20 he paid for it, you may want to just try that and see how you like it before buying a whole shifter. It shifts quite well, but you do not get the shift stops like the full on shifter. Just something to think about.