Need help, and am wanting to hear peoples experiences or preferences on 71-74 4spd pistol grips for B-bodies (you e-body guys can chime in).

I'll soon be stuffing the engine/trans in my 71-4spd runner. Originally a bench seat car. Currently, my plans are to put the correct bucket seats, add a fold down arm rest and stick with the tall pistol grip.

I read this week that allot of people like the short version, as its more positive and a shorter throw.

Since its an easy switch, I'm thinking of buying all the correct new short shifter and ditching the tall grip for the short version, and order the correct hump for the change over. Car isn't numbers matching, and I prefer the no-console look.

Any advantages or disadvantages for the change over.

I actually prefer the E-body location in my 64 Savoy. My first shifter in the car was a 70 Runner tall pistol grip and it was fun for street driving but when I started racing I opted for the short throw E-body location. I like the position right next to my knee it just feels natural

Gus

My 71 was a bench seat 3 speed originally and I changed over to buckets and console, which is the short shifter. I wouldn't go back and really like it. So much more sporty and positive.

Is it safe to assume that you know that the 71 B body 4 speed bench stuff is all unique. So if you are short any parts, then going with the bucket seat/E body set-up would be the only real option because there isn't much available for the bench seat set-up. I don't think that even the boot for that set-up is available, is it?

And the fold down arm rest cars came with the same set-up that the bench seat cars did.

I think that the bucket seat/E body shifter set-up will be coming up through the floor right into the arm rest.

If you do decide to swap set-ups and have all the stuff from the bench seat set-up, it is probably worth a good bit of coin. Some of that stuff is nearly impossible to find.

I would go with the forward bench seat shifter if your using the buddy seat. 4-speeds and buddy sets rock! Your hand is always on the shifter and arm resting on the buddy seat. I would think the rear short shifter would interfere with the buddy seat.

T2R9, I'll not use the buddy seat if going to short shifter.

I'm doing the same to my 71RR. Bench 4-spd to bucket. I too like the no console look.

Actually Brewers has the correct repro boots, repro 71 pistol grip bench shifters , repro of the odd ball shifter dog bone plate, as well as assorted other repro pcs for the bench seat set up for 71 B...

That being said, I've done the 71 Bench seat set up as well as the rearward console location in several 71-2 B body builds, while the bench seat set up is cool, the pistol grip handle sits too close to the drivers leg, the throws are too long, kinda akin to driving a 10spd cement truck, the rearward/console set up is IMHO at the optimum location and height for shifting comfortably, either set up is nice, it's more a matter of personal preference

There's a complete setup for sale in the 71 up B body parts section,the console location has its pros but the bench setup has more visual/wow factor,you can help the through by using the MP shift rod levers or drilling your old ones.

I have all the bench seat stuff, so am good there. Just wondering about making the switch.

my 72 has the bench setup. i'm 6'3" with long arms so it works with me. shorter folks may have a problem. it is a long throw though.

clem

Whats this fit??? Whats it worth??? Not mine just wonder if the seller has it listed right.

I love the bench seat 4 speed shifters, the shorties shifters do have a much better feel.

I would love that setup in my car. don't know if seat covers are made for them.

clem

That looks like a Challenger bench seat.

Do you, or those that say they like the short shifter, have really long arms, because you'll be reaching low for the shifter? I drove an A body with an E body handle ... stock A body shifter location ... and that was what I had to do because I don't have really long arms. ... like the guy that posted above about it ...

If you want to shorten the throw then first you should drive the car with the stock shifter and see if it's really a problem for YOU, since you are the person actually doing the driving.

If you then feel maybe a shorter throw would be beneficial(???) then think about getting the 70 only B body shifter mechanism as it has longer levers and will shorten the throw.

Rear mounted short shifter location would be under the buddy seat.

You are probably correct , I'm pretty sure the B body seat like that is straight across and doesn't have a raised center like the one pictured.

Its listed on CL for 1k as a Challenger bench seat, its about 300 miles from me and I still might go look at it.

I need a seat setup for that for a mopar project and it might just fit the bill.

Seat is for sure a 70 challenger bench version. Would be nice in a 71/72 b-body, but the price is way too high. I bought a 69 GTS dart hood off a guy in Overland Park who had one just like that in his shed. He also had a red, R-code Hemi Challenger. It was a very nice car, but never saw it again after that. That was several years ago.