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

[88 Fox GT]

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]

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]

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

 

[Ronstang]

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]

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]

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]

Here's a photo.

 

[BobV]

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]

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

 

[2bav8]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.