915 Gate Shift another solution

[Dcam49]

Hi guys,
After not being able to find the correct green rubber bands I came up with this solution. Sorry Won.
Benifit is that there is no load on the shifter when in 1st or 2nd.
Down side, it cost almost 5 bucks for the spring assortment, bolt, nylock nut and fender washers.
Materials: 1/4"x1 1/2" bolt, nylock nut, 2- 1/4"fender washers 1 1/2" outside diameter which is important so as keep the shift lever out of the 1-2 plane as much as possible but still not quite touch the lever itself when in the 3-4 plane (I think I got these at West Marine).

Here's how I did it.
1. First off the plate is tempered steel, I smoked a couple of bits before I figured I better untemper it, simple- just heat (map gas) the plate only where you want to drill the 1/4" hole until it's a dull glowing red, then let it cool down slowly on its own, no water.
2. Drill a 1/4" hole centered between the 2 rectangle spring retainer slots and about 1/4"-5/16" in from the shift lever box. Now hog out the hole so the bolt will lean outwards and forwards and backwards. The bolt has to lean quite a bit so things don't bind up. I didn't try it but drilling the hole out to 5/16" or so may do it too.
3. Find a suitable spring, picture shows the assortment box I picked up at Home Depot. I actually cut down the larger one in the picture, showing the leftovers afterwards next to it.
4. Assemble as in the picture, The spring needs to be pretty heavy duty and it will feel like alot of tension but once it's in it won't feel that stiff.
5. Notch out the rubber piece that sits under the plate.
6. Reassemble, it's done.
Note: I did remove the plate while it was in the car, if you do so BE VERY CAREFUL THAT IT ALL DOESN'T COME FLYING UP AND HIT YOU, IT'S UNDER ALOT OF SPRING TENSION.
1st picture- sorry it's blurry but you get the idea.

2nd pic- it has to lean over this far to not bind up.

3rd pic- notched rubber to clear the bolt head.

4th pic- in first gear no side load.

5th pic- parts is parts.

6th pic- up against the "gate"

It all fits under the boot too.

[Oh Haha]

Nice job and out of the box, too. How does it feel when shifting?

[BLEW911]

Looks like an ingenious idea. When shifting first to second, do you pull straight back or left and then back? Does the "device"still push right when past neurtral and in first gear?

Don

[Dcam49]

Blew911, Oh haha,
Thanks, when the shifter is in first, up in the forward left corner, the shifter itself is not even touching the spring loaded washer. When you pull down into second it pulls right past the large washers and forces the spring loaded assembly to the left and out of the way on the way by. I drove my Tacoma right after driving with this set-up and it felt very similar as far as side load and effort. Basicly, pull it into second like always, and it gives a bit of a nudge as you head into third.