Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2377182
09/26/17 02:36 PM
09/26/17 02:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,637 fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,637
fredericksburg,va
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One problem overlooked is engine-trans movement. Cable takes that completely out of the equation. The factory's system puts the trans rod level with the lever on the trans so when the engine "lifts or rotates" it still stays on plane. Now if you connected to an existing floor system and got the ratio right I'll be close but a whole lot of work. Just buy a longer morse cable from a boat shop, they can have them made to any length. They might have one in stock the size you need. You don't think these shifter company's made some special cable for their shifters do you? I like the old Winter type where the cable goes in back of trans to a bell crank that goes around to the trans lever One other thing, the cable loops around on the floor then goes through the floor at the back to hook up to trans. Not on top of trans, the reason people have burned cables. A longer cable helps in that loop on the floor,less resistance. And the ends off the regular morse cables do fit the TA cables, I've done it, they have better ball ends.
Last edited by cudaman1969; 09/26/17 02:46 PM.
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2377186
09/26/17 02:41 PM
09/26/17 02:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,531 So. Burlington, Vt.
fast68plymouth
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,531
So. Burlington, Vt.
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My looped around cable worked flawlessly for 20 years.
68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123 Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: fast68plymouth]
#2377332
09/26/17 08:59 PM
09/26/17 08:59 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,200 Oregon
AndyF
OP
I Win
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OP
I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,200
Oregon
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My looped around cable worked flawlessly for 20 years. I understand that point but I'm trying to do something different with the car. I'm using my own designs rather than existing parts where I can. I can't redesign everything so I have to pick my battles carefully. Using a shifter rod seems like a design trick that I can pull off. I'm also toying with the idea of building my own shifter. I think I can use one handle from a Lenco and build my own gate mechanism. Then when somebody walks up to the car it will look like the car has a single speed Lenco in it.
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2377363
09/26/17 09:44 PM
09/26/17 09:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760 Canada
CTD5.9
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
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I'm also toying with the idea of building my own shifter. I think I can use one handle from a Lenco and build my own gate mechanism. Then when somebody walks up to the car it will look like the car has a single speed Lenco in it.
I built my own, it was based off a cable but it wasn't that bad to build. My gate mechanism was similar to the winters design...a plate with notches. I only did it because a ton of the shifter designs kind of suck for downshifting...something I need to do a lot in my mud truck. If I can cobble together something that works, you will be able to create a masterpiece.
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2377592
09/27/17 10:29 AM
09/27/17 10:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,637 fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,637
fredericksburg,va
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Years ago I made a reverse mode shifter with my stock Duster column. Removed the detent and ground the slot level from drive to second. In reverse pattern this was 1-2, pull into low, feeling the detent on trans, laying my palm on the shifter lever, just push & down for 2 then pull & down for 3. Very easy to back to neutral. Simple and worked super, still have the column.
Last edited by cudaman1969; 09/27/17 10:31 AM.
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2381992
10/04/17 06:54 PM
10/04/17 06:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,804 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,804
Wichita
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The Slapstick in the E-bodies were a great design.
I've been using the Hurst quarter stick with a cable after wrapping the cable with a heat resistant sleeve but would love rod shifted trans.
'63 Dodge 330
11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs.
9.92 @ 135mph with a 350 shot of nitrous and 93 octane pump. 1.43 60 ft. 3,750 lbs.
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: AndyF]
#2382689
10/05/17 09:56 PM
10/05/17 09:56 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,131 Thigh-Gap Junction
@#$%&*!
New user name, Same old jerk!
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New user name, Same old jerk!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,131
Thigh-Gap Junction
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Take a file to some of the factory rods used here and there and you'll see they're hardened for strength. Just something to keep in mind. A replacement for the cable system on the Cheetah shifter might be a popular product. It might easily be adapted to other Brands, makes and models as well. They have the cable coming out the rear though, where it should be. I've never taken a Slapstick apart but I might be able to look it up in a service manual. I think it was a similar design to what I'm building.
I think the rod design will work okay, just need to get the alignment in the ballpark. The factory used rods for throttle pressure as well as shifting on most everything. Lots of rods and bell cranks and other monkey motion in a column shifter!
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Re: Cheetah shifter convert to rod shift?
[Re: @#$%&*!]
#2383447
10/07/17 03:39 PM
10/07/17 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,200 Oregon
AndyF
OP
I Win
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OP
I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,200
Oregon
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Take a file to some of the factory rods used here and there and you'll see they're hardened for strength. Just something to keep in mind. A replacement for the cable system on the Cheetah shifter might be a popular product. It might easily be adapted to other Brands, makes and models as well. They have the cable coming out the rear though, where it should be. I've never taken a Slapstick apart but I might be able to look it up in a service manual. I think it was a similar design to what I'm building.
I think the rod design will work okay, just need to get the alignment in the ballpark. The factory used rods for throttle pressure as well as shifting on most everything. Lots of rods and bell cranks and other monkey motion in a column shifter! Yeah I might be able to sell a few "u fab it" kits for guys with Mopar race cars. Probably not many street guys want to do this since the shifter ends up on the floor behind the stock location. This works just fine for me since on the Duster I've moved the seat back so I wanted the shifter moved back also. We'll see once it is all done if it makes any sense to sell a kit. I can reproduce the bent tubing easy enough and the rod ends and all of that stuff is right off the shelf. The custom shifter mount is a little tricky to reproduce......
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