Pistol grip shifter build for a '57 Fork pickup restomod

[A.K. Boomer]

What if you put a quick couple disconnect at the base --- maybe knurled down there too - you could really whoop someone over the head with that thing, always have it with you in the vehicle, what's not to luv?

Edit; last resort of course...

[mattthemuppet]

thanks Willy, it felt like a more artistic/ craftsman project than what I usually do. Lots of attention to aesthetics and fit, and LOTS of time spent with the files to get it just so. I agree about Stepside's contribution, it's really what made it what it is. Wouldn't have looked anywhere near as good without his help. My friend actually joked that if he ever sells the truck he's taking the shifter with him

[A.K. Boomer]

It's just an honorable mention that's all not saying it will or won't but; yeah it can happen with extra weight regardless of the shifter's angle in fact total vert can get the job done due to the front end going through totally different motions then the rear, it's an abrupt angle change as the front is in virtual "free fall" then immediately stops whilst the rear is totally stable - that's all it takes - now consider the fact that these are heavily modded out cars with most likely stiffer suspension and in fact some almost unforgiving and yeah like I said it's a factor,,, most likely just for popping into neutral so no big whoop - bad case would be it makes a habit out of going past and clashing into another gear - it will never go into another gear or that would indeed be very rare - most likely just get immediately ejected and yeah again speak from experience as iv seen this happen on about three different vehicles of all different makes... one totally box stock just high miles and relaxed shifting detent's... so you would get in the habit of grabbing the shifter and supporting it over bumps lol can you imagine the self driving car guys having to deal with that? now throw in chewing some gum while putting on a turn signal lever ---- information overload lol...

[Willy]

Nice job Matt on the shifter and the well photographed documentation of the project.
We're all photo whores here as it does give a very graphic representation of all involved. Lots of carving on that chunk of aluminum I see, nice. Also nice to see Stepside's well executed contribution to the project.

I don't foresee any issue with the shifter contributing to accidental gear changes or popping into neutral, as it's weight will be mostly vertical. May have been an issue with more length or a greater bend in the rod, maybe.
It would really have to buck like a bronc for that to be a problem, at least. from my experience with the 5-spd T-5 Mustang transmission. Could be an issue with the rice grinder transmissions, not too much experience with them in that regard.
If it's popping out of or into gear hitting speed bumps etc., then you're friend has other issues that can only be corrected by changing the nut holding the steering wheel.

[mattthemuppet]

it's been considered and if it becomes a problem there are ways of dealing with it.

[A.K. Boomer]

Just bringing up stuff iv already witnessed that's all - heck stock vehicles/shifters with weak detent's iv seen do that, nothing the matter with using a little foresight to bring up all the contingencies...

[mattthemuppet]

thanks for the positive thoughts AK. As for self shifting, we'll see. There's theory and there's reality.

[A.K. Boomer]

If that's the short version id hate to see the long, still lots of mass hanging on the end, let us know if she finds neutral over speed bumps and pothole's or even attempts to get into another gear for you lol

[mattthemuppet]

oh hell no, I think it was a four speed where you had to stand up to reach 4th He replaced the engine and transmission with a 5.0 from a '89 Mustang GT as the original V8 had a blockage on the oil supply to one of the heads = trashed rockers and whatever that tube is that they ride on (sorry, not well up on OHV engines). The other head wasn't much better. When he added up all the parts needed to fix the one he had he could get a replacement engine and tranny for a few hundred more, netting fuel injection and a whole wide world of 5.0 V8 mods. The rear end is of a '90 Explorer (I think), so he has disks all round and a better choice of wheels, and he got a new drive shaft made up using the original and some exhaust pipe as a template.

It's going to be pretty fun when he finishes it, though he's temporarily distracted with tuning his new to him F150 Ecoboost V6

[sid pileski]

That tranny is obviously not the original. Even though the shaft is long, probably still a shorter throw that the original, and I’m sure slicker shifting!

[mattthemuppet]

installed The rest is a bit of a work in progress..

friend was happy to have it and I was happy to see it finished

[mattthemuppet]

winter isn't a thing here

[A.K. Boomer]

Wear gloves in the winter or you could end up stuck to it and frozen solid...

[Doozer]

Something about it makes me think
3 finger death punch ! ! !

-D

[mattthemuppet]

I'll take a pic of it when I go round this afternoon. The end result was after alot of "fitting", which is why the back is more rounded than the front, the top is well rounded and the cutouts are more angled up on the right side than the left. He wanted a shifter like the one he has in his delivery truck, which he can hold from the side (arm at 90deg) or rest his hand on top.