Hidden Shifter Ideas

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Anonymous

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I have been kicking around the idea of creating a "hidden shifter" for an automatic equipped mustang. I have a few ideas, here's one.

If you built a console, you could move the shifter from the stock location to another location. I have considered mounting the lever in the center of the console, but not on the floor pointing towards the ceiling, but in the short section between the floor and the bottom of the dash, with the selector lever pointing towards the rear seat. The stock opening in the tranny tunnel would serve as the mounting point for the pivot material, which would use the lower portion of a stock automatic gear selector to change the gear.

The "control end" of the shifter would be mounted in the short section between the bottom of the dash and the floor as I have stated before. I frame assembly would have to be fabricated that would support the shifter and any necessary loads imposed upon it while selecting different gears. This frame assembly could also be used to frame out the console which would be used to hide the tranny tunnel opening and this frame.

The shift lever could be constructed in a manner that would allow it to be small enough to be hidden behind a trap door in the short console section. The connections between the remote selector location and the normal location would be made using 3/8 rod and heim ends for adjustability and stability. The end near the remote selectors would be connected to a L or V bracket, which would have to be sized to allow for the correct travel of the rods between gears.

There are a few details to be worked out, but I thought I would start with these to see what some of you thought of the idea. I do not know how much pressure is required to move a standard shifter from PARK to another gear, nor the amount of travel required to move the linkage between these gears. These are items that would need to be figured out.

I will try to post a few basic drawings later if there is enough interest in this idea. 8)

Please let me know what you think about this idea.

Thanks.

Kurt.
 
Have you ver watched any European road rallye, the cars have their shifter coming out of the dash similar to what you describe.
It can be done.
 
Corvairs equipped with the Powerglide had a dash mounted lever. It was simply a cable operated thing. It doesn't take much effort to actually move the shift lever.
 
I think this is where my original idea came from, with one twist. I want the shifter to be hidden so the interior has a cleaner look. I realize that I can use the same basic principles they used for the Ralley cars, and then incorporate some manner of shortening the shifter or having a removable piece that allows the whole selector assembly to be "hidden" from view by a small door in the console.

Kurt. :)
 
Just a thought, early 60s Chrylser Valiants (with the 225? slant six) had a push-button auto transmission. I don't know how it worked but perhaps you could mount it under the dash or beneath/beside the driver's seat. But even if you mounted it in the dash, it would still look verrry cool! Parts might be a little scarce though.
 
The six cylinder Torqueflite (used in Aussie R-series and maybee some S-series Chrysler valiants came with optional Pushbutton auto). Since the gearbox and 225 slant six were just ticked top options, I am pretty sure there are some stock Plymouth Valiants or Fury's or whatever Stateside that have the hydralic actuators avaliable. I'd suggest (shriek) shoveing a Torqueflit auto behind your 'Stang. Sorry to swear!
 
Edsels had a push button auto, one of it's neat feature, but also one of it's problematic ones.

See Ya,
Mike
 
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