Cheap Azz Retro Shifter for T5

funnelcake · Jul 30, 2011

Shocked & dismayed @ the thought of paying $70+ bucks for just a shifter handle? Given I chose to kick the 64.5 Project off while my wife was pregnant (maybe I should call this the "20-min @ a time" Project since that's the average duration of my work efforts these days), being frugal will be one of the keys in keeping things moving along.

So, I picked up a used Fox shifter handle for $15 bucks (came w/ the lower boot - bonus since the one that came w/ the trans. has seen way better days), proceeded w/ a little chop, grind, & thread activity; viola, a Cheap Azz alternative that should look/ be just about right (I expect the boot to cover the all-thread coupler). Still need to finish cutting/ threading, etc.

Breakdown:
-Used T5 Shifter Handle - $15
-12x1.75 Metric Die - $4.50
-6" 1/2"-13 Bolt - $1.79
-1/2" All-Thread Couplers - $2.19
-Picking metal shavings out of foot due to grinding in flip-flops - $Priceless
-Hurst White 5-spd. Shifter Knob - $29.99

You need the shifter knob either way so I figure I saved at least $50 bucks:

View attachment 179585

Funnel

robbz28 · Jul 30, 2011

That looks about the right bend and length...there is a guy on here that has another cheap method, you just need an old 3 speed shifter handle and modify it.

mustangmutt · Jul 31, 2011

+1 on what Rob said. Take an old 3 spd handle and grind flats on it, drill holes and wallah. Sometimes you just gotta work with what you have. I would use a grade 8 bolt if you're planning on banging the gears hard. But that might cost over $2.00.

Rmoore45 · Jul 31, 2011

It looks good, but I don't think the shifter boot will cover the coupler. I have the hurst shifter boot and it barely covers the up the 2 mounting holes. I made my shifter out of a snapper lawnmower shifter, cut it and bent it where its 8" tall and 3" back, welded on a 3/8-16 bolt and painted it the same color as my car. Its temporary until I buy an actual hurst shifter stick.

funnelcake · Aug 1, 2011

Yep - I still need to cut the threads down on both the shifter & bolt to expose as little as possible @ both ends of the coupler. I'm reasonably confident I can find a boot "tall" enough.

Heh - If I ever hammer a shift hard enough to bend a Grade-5 1/2" bolt something else is wrong! Besides most Grade-8's have a gold zinc finish to help distinguish them; I figure a bit of Flitz & elbow grease will get my lowly Grade-5 silver zinc pretty close to chrome. And yes, it would have cost twice as much!

BTW: Anyone have any experience with the tubular (appearing anyway) T5 conversion crossmembers on GreedBay, etc.? From respective pictures I've seen they look solid enough & run half price vs. the "name" brands.

Thanks...Funnel

Rmoore45 · Aug 1, 2011

I don't know about the greedbay crossmembers but I found a cheaper solution than buying a $100+ crossmember, I used the stock c-4 crossmember. I cut out the center section (the flat part where the trans mounts) and spun it 180. Then I put the 2 pieces that mount to the car in place and mounted the piece that I cut out to the trans, it with a little grinding on one side it fit perfectly. On the other side I had to add about a 1/2" of metal. Fabrication took a couple hours and it works perfectly, also its a custom crossmember so it fits perfectly.

gjz30075 · Aug 3, 2011

I like it! But what's the metric die for? I'm guessing the shifter ball?

funnelcake · Aug 3, 2011

Thanks, yep - shifter knob. 1/2-13 thread is really close to 12x1.75 but the die was under $5-bucks; even I'm not that cheap!

Funnel

robbz28 · Aug 3, 2011

Wouldnt it have been cheaper to get a piece of thick walled tubing (1/2" or whatever diameter it would need to be) and just weld it down low on the shifter instead of cutting grinding tapping, dying all that stuff...then all you would have had to run a die on would have been the end where the shifter ball goes....just a thought.

Cheap Azz Retro Shifter for T5

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