I could have sworn i seen some autos with there shifters shortend I could be wrong mabe u cant do that but if u could and u have it done can u tell me how and mabe post a pic thanks
Cut the shaft down with a dremel, but don't cut the rod in the middle. That is what's pushed down when you press the button. With the shaft cut, trim the rod down about as much as it was sticking up when it was stock. When you take off the shifter, you will see what i'm talking about. To get the shifter off, use a flathead screwdriver and pry out the staple in the front.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Exactly. One of my favorite mod's I've ever done. Much better than having a huge dildo for a shift knob, haha. Here's a pic. I actually used a small pipe cutter and then left the YELLOW "engager" the stock size and then cut it how it was when stock.
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/494000-494999/494072_161_full.jpg">
After I cut it. I LOVE it and forget all the people that say, hey, if you want a real short shifter, drive a manual. IT JUST LOOK FING BETTER.
Hope I helped. Also, I didn't realize how thick the shifter actually is. The metal is pretty thick if you use a pipe cuter. I opted for the pipe cuter for an even, level cut. You should do it!
^^^Looks damn good Matt. I have yet to cut mine down, but I have a boot that goes over mine. Plus, when I rest my arm on the armrest, I can grab the shifter perfect at stock height. I dunno, might do this in the future.
No I'm just playing around. You want to know the easiest way to shorten your shifter? Go stare at a 400lbs fat chick while she's driving over speed bumps. That will shorten your shifter. you don't need a stinking dremel...
Thanks. I think I cut about an inch and a half. Just be careful, don't wanna cut too much off. Also, instead of cutting out another groove for the stock knob to "sit" in, I just drilled out the center of the knob and added some clear silicone on the inside and it's perfect. Hasn't budged. Glad ya like it.
I went a little different from everyone's suggestions on my old auto Z.
I cut the shifter column about 2" and then took out the yellow pushrod completely and replaced it with a metal rod (I can't remeber the diameter). On the metal rod, it fit through the shifter column and I cut a slit in it so it fit on the tab that is pushed down when you shift. I epoxyed a Razo shift ball on the metal rod. It actually worked as a small safety feature if anyone would steal the car because I just took the metal rod/ shifter with me when I left the car.
I also used a momo shift boot to cover up the whole mess so it kind of looked like a manual at first glance.
Now im waiting for the persoe that says "whats the point of making an auto shifter shorter?" then "why did you use a boot? to make it look like a five speed? why didnt you just buy a five speed?"
You guys all have the different style shifters, mine looks like an upside down L with the button on the side. Anyone done the shortening on one of these and know if it works?
Ok My first 3 cars were stick I know how to drive it. Then I sold all my cars and got a cavi I was looking around for a stick for 2 months couldnt find any, the reason why is cause I had to finance this one beleave me, I miss stick so much but I had no other choice. So now Im stuck wit this auto for 1 more year. As soon as Im done paying this sucker off then comes back the Five speed Xtreme my very first truck I had. Im just tryin different ways to make me happy with my car. AT LEAST ITS A 2.4=)
Best mod ever. One of the first things I did to my Cav actually. Now I have a Sunfire console in there, and with the boots on the Fire console, and the Fire shifter, it looks even hotter. Maybe I'll get some pics once I'm finished with the engine rebuild.
