Yeah...I did it...I am guilty...Welded the shifter plate in the wrong position on the driveshaft tunnel. The shifter doesnt shift into 1st gear....Been like that for years but I usually leave her in Drive anyways and cruise.

I want to extend the shifting linkage (the retaining lock and bolt are already at maximum)

I need to extend that with another rod. I can go about this one of two ways...I can cut the existing linkage and weld in and 2" length of filler rod. Followed through with smoothing it out and placing a cylinder over the entire weld job to strengthen the area. I was thinking the cylinder could be pre-drilled and tapped and have three allen insert set screws locking down on the whole linkage.

The second option is probably overkill...but cutting the linkage like the first option...then setting the linkage up on my drill press and drilling the center and tapping it to about 10/24 thread...essentially making it look like this

======---- =======---- =======

Each of the " = " signs being the linkage while the " - " is the 10/24 stud and threading them into each other. Tack weld each joint and call it a day.

Pete , cut it and make a sleeve that slides over the 2 pieces and weld it back together, you can stick something between the 2 pieces if it will make you feel warm and fuzzy but it's not needed.

Depends whether you want it to look pretty or not. I extended my kickdown linkage and used a couple of bolts, tapered the joins and welded them up using a couple of V blocks to ensure alignment. After grinding it's hard to see it's not original



Otherwise just use the sleeve