When I wanted to install a gear shifter for my new auto box I spent ages trying to find out what was available without a great deal of success. I've therefore created this page with a few facts and figures to help others.
Probably
the most common aftermarket shifters are those from B & M and although their
web site shows all the different models they don't give any dimensions.
This is OK if you can go and check them out in a store but not if, like me, your
buying mail order.
Shifter
Mechanisms
There are three types of shifter
actions or internal mechanism designs. The Ratchet and Gate designs are found in
the B&M top line shifters. The Detent design is a less expensive mechanism
designed for economical positive shifts. Both Ratchet and Gate mechanisms are
ideally suited for racing and street/strip applications.
Ratchet
Moving the stick "ratchets" it to the next
gear only eliminating over shifting. The stick returns to the original upright
position readying it for your next shift.
Gate
The mechanism in a gate shifter utilizes a plate with
stepped notches that act as stops from gear to gear. Some gates are mechanical,
some are driver controlled.
Detent
A detent mechanism has a spring loaded tab for each
gear. This low cost mechanism is designed for positive shifts, but not for
racing.
Most B&M shifters include a neutral safety switch and backup light switch as well as a reverse lock out to prevent accidental engagement of reverse even in hard shifting conditions (see chart for exceptions). All are operated by a cable from the shifter to the transmission. This allows for quick and easy installation and virtually unlimited shifter mounting positions in the vehicle. B&M offers two types of shifter installations - console and universal.
Console
Installations
A console installation replaces the factory console
shifter with a B&M unit that fits within the confines of the vehicle's stock
shifter enclosure or console.
Universal
Installations
These shifters are used when the vehicle does not have
a factory provided console or perhaps the vehicle originally came with a
steering column mounted shifter.
I'd
never heard of this range before but they appear well known in the States amongst
the hot-rod crowd. Unlike the B & M shifters they use a direct
connection system which, although really strong and positive in its shifts, make
installation a lot more complicated.
Being mounted to the top of the
transmission mine interfered with the transfersbox lever. However, this
design did allow for the lever to come up through the
original consul hole. I even retained the original rubber boot. I
have a number of complaints, or at least my wife has, with the lock out
design. To shift gear you have to press a button in the knob and move the
lever at the same time. Ladies watch those finger nails! I've also
found that this has been a real pain when shifting from 1st to reverse quickly.
This shifter requires a separate kit to give you an indication as to what gear
your in.