Manual trannys in '65s, show me your shifters.

88 Fox GT · Aug 8, 2004

I want to see the shifters you guys are using with your manual transmission in your '65-'66 Mustangs. I am thinking about possibly doing the T-5 swap to mine. I want to know if I can use something similar to a PRO 5.0 shifter, or do I have to use the 2-ft long ugly "truck" shifter just so I can reach it? Are any of you using short shifters? Show me some pics. Thanks!

65straightsick · Aug 8, 2004

Mustangs plus has the restomod shifter that pulls the shift handle closer to the driver...I don't know of anybody that uses it but it looks pretty damn cool.

crushnut · Aug 8, 2004

Use a Pro 5.0 shifter with a MGW adjustable handle, ive heard this is the best and shifts awesome.

Ronstang · Aug 8, 2004

I took a standard 3 spd shifter from a 65 abd cut off the bottom and added a plange to mate to my Hurst Shifter in my T-5. It comes out in exactly the same location as it did when it was connected to the original 3 spd and it looks just like any other Mustang of the period....a real plus in my book.

one2gamble · Aug 8, 2004

im using a steeda handle right now, its not that big of a deal but I would rather it came back a little further

2bav8 · Aug 8, 2004

I'm using the stock shifter than came with my TKO tranny.

As for the lever, I'm using a 4 speed lever that NPD sells for the 5 speed trannies.

2bav8 · Aug 8, 2004

Here's a photo.

BobV · Aug 8, 2004

Most people find that the stock-style late-model shifter sticks are too much of a "reach" when a T5 is swapped into an early model car. I did a little research a while back and found these alternatives from Hurst:

5380015 - 8" up, 3" back, chrome steel, 3/8-16 thread
5380100 - 10" up, 4.75" back, chrome steel, 3/8-16 thread
5380178 - 8" up, 3" back, natural aluminum, 7/16-20 thread (GT350Clone)
5380179 - 10" up, 5.5" back, natural aluminum, 7/16-20 thread
5380201 - 9.5" up, 5.7" back, black aluminum, 7/16-20 thread
5384106 - 10" up, 5.5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5386643 - 7.5" up, 9.5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5387436 - 10" up, 5" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
5388009 - 10.5" up, 3" back, chrome, 3/8-16 thread
(Drawings & additional listings are on the Hurst link above)

I swapped in the 5380178 stick. Worked about perfect for me - 5th is a full arm's length, without bending/reaching, yet the shifter is far enough forward that I won't spill my Big Gulp in 4th gear. I stuck with an aluminum stick, since I already had a nice shifter ball with 7/16-20 threads. All the aluminum sticks are 7/16-20, while the steel are 3/8-16. The 5384106 stick is VERY popular for early cars with T5's also.

These looked like the best fits. I think most people will want 8" - 10" in height, and 3" - 7" of curve back. Hope this info helps!

Here's a pic of the 0178 stick in first gear:

88 Fox GT · Aug 8, 2004

So basically, I have to run a big, long, ugly shifter if I want a manual?

2bav8 · Aug 8, 2004

No, you don't have too.

I used to use the shifter lever from my T-5. Great for drag racing, but for street use its old having to lean forward for every shift

88 Fox GT · Aug 9, 2004

Yeah, that's basically what I was wondering. The stock shifter (short) is too far forward to shift, right? Like, you can't just sit back and shift, can you?

The reason I was wondering is because I think the straight up and short shifters look better, and are easier to grab the gears with. But, if I gotta lean forward. Bah, I dunno...

latamud · Aug 9, 2004

I thought of just making my own. Cutting some rod to length, bending it, and welding a mounting flange to it. I use the T-5 hurst shifter right now. The lean isn't that bad. The shifter ball broke so I'm shifting with a threaded tip and locked nut where the ball used to be. Quite uncomfortable. Yes, you have to lean with a short throw shifter. I think the Mustangs Plus shifter looks terrible. It is tacky and takes up a lot of space. But, funtion is there.

67coupestang · Aug 9, 2004

of course if you use a 94-95 bellhousing and t-5 the tranny will be towards you another inch or so... you hae to re do a hole for the shifter though

MrBobMarley · Aug 9, 2004

I'm not sure what shifter/handle this is, but I saw this on a stang on ebay a while back and fell in love. It's one of my favorite interior pics. Corbeau seats and all.

And here's my shifter, a steeda tri-ax short throw (best shifter ever) and steeda shift knob. I don't have a pic of it now, but right now it's just like this pic below with the shift boot minus the plastic bezel. I'm looking for a bullitt or steeda trim ring right now to install around the base of the shift boot.

Here it is naked.

As far as reach, it's perfect for me. I'm 6 foot, pretty average length arms and it's a full arm's length for fifth only. I love my setup now, only thing to make it more fun would be more supportive seats for cornering.

Luminox · Aug 9, 2004

I don't have a picture of it but I believe the Hurst handle in the above picture is the same one they sell on www.moderndriveline.com that I bought for my T-5. It's perfect length for me, it makes the throw a touch longer but it looks great and you don't have to contort yourself to shift .

88 Fox GT · Aug 9, 2004

MrBobMarley, that's what I'm looking for. See, personally, I think that your shifter looks much better than the other shifter you posted. Thank you for the pics.

gp001 · Aug 9, 2004

Keep in mind that you can also either a) modify and existing one to give you the curves you need, or b) make your own. When I did my 6 speed swap the short stich that came with it wouldn't work. So, I contacted Long Shifters to see what else they had, none of them would really work. I bought one that had the backward bend I needed but it angled to the wrong side. I heated it and slowly bent it to the angle I needed. If that won't work you can make one/have one made fairly easily. Especially if you are going to use a full shift boot like BobMarley has pictured in his second pic

302RWP · Aug 9, 2004

here is the restomod "speed shift" from mustangs plus, i dont use one but looks much easier than stock shifter. , it goes for $189.95 and fits T-5 and Tremec transmissions. http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...FMP&Product_Code=10450&Category_Code=shifters ,there is the link to the site if you're interested.

MrBobMarley · Aug 9, 2004

SpeedD65 not a problem at all, glad you liked em. I drove my bud's 97 gt and I really liked the setup of the console/shifter and the look was hard to beat.

302RWP, that's pretty cool looing. I bet it functions just as well, or at least it looks that way. Man, you'd be shifting with your arm bent at 90 degrees.

65straightsick · Aug 10, 2004

That would be the shifter I was talking about....thanks 302RWP, I couldn't find a pic of it installed. The interior makes it not look that great though...maybe a clean interior would do wonders.

Manual trannys in '65s, show me your shifters.

88 Fox GT

Active Member

65straightsick

New Member

crushnut

New Member

Ronstang

New Member

one2gamble

2bav8

2bav8

Attachments

BobV

88 Fox GT

Active Member

2bav8

88 Fox GT

Active Member

latamud

67coupestang

MrBobMarley

Luminox

New Member

88 Fox GT

Active Member

gp001

302RWP

New Member

Attachments

MrBobMarley

65straightsick

New Member

Similar threads

Manual trannys in '65s, show me your shifters.

Active Member

New Member

New Member

New Member

Attachments

Active Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Attachments

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency