Shift Lever Height, How Raise 1" ?

[piscator]

What's the best way to raise the height of the shift knob? I need an extra 1" - 1.5" in order to clear the driver seat.

My P-car is a 1978 911SC Targa and I don't want to destroy the original shift knob. The knob is on VERY tight and there are no set screws in evidence -- unless it's hiding under the shift pattern emblem.

Is the best bet to replace entire shift lever? If so, which shift lever will give me the additional height I need?

Thanks for your help!

piscator

[jwetering]

Sounds like a simple question, but it isn't.

1) getting the knob off - they are installed with a crush collar arrangement. They don't come off easily, if at all. I cut mine off back when I did the job. Note there are no threads on the shift lever.

2) Lengthening the lever...You would have to fabricate something. Maybe thread the existing lever, fab up threaded collar with an extension attached, and away you go. Depends on your level of skill, and what tools/materials you have available.

Now - maybe something exists that I don't know about...hopefully someone else will chime in.

[Oh Haha]

The 911 shifter is one of the areas I have done ALOT of experimenting to get it to fit me better.
I think the only shifter that will raise the height is possibly the Hargett setup and WEVO. Both are awesome but a bit pricey.
The factory short shifter and most others of that type don't do anything for the height.

I ended up added about 2inches to a Weltmiester short shifter lever. I think I used a section of conduit or it may have been a solar light stem. I was trying out several things from my junk box at the time.

The idea I used was to slip a section over the stock lever putting the knob closer to my hand. Some JB Weld to hold it in place and it worked great. I also cobbled up bits from a factory short shift kit and modified the lever in the shift tower.

My shifter throws are short and notchy, which I like. I even found a Probe shift knob which I fitted to the lever.

Sorry I got a bit rambly there. Bottm line is get creative IF remaining stock isn't a concern.

[Fishcop]

If you can stretch for what will be a worthwhile upgrade, the Wevo would be a very good choice.

[Charlie V]

When I purchased my car several years back, the PO installed a short shifter kit. He was a smaller man then me. I had a heck of a time shifting the car - just couldn't reach the shifter properly.

I tried the stock shifter and that felt like I was mixing cookie dough.

A buddy at work is the same height as I am. His short shifter gave him the same grief. His solution was to cut and weld a chuck of rod on the shifter. I figured there was nothing to lose. Can't remember if it was 2 or 3" added. A little ginding and sanding, a splash of black paint and it looked like new.

Best part - I can reach the shifter.

Yes, I did defeat the primary objective of a short shifter. But, it is a 915 we are shifting here. Not exactly a transmission wanting to be shifted quickly.

For me it works very well and I would not hesitate to do it again.

[john walker's workshop]

the amazing "long" shifter

[911pcars]

John's solution is good, but that means being able to remove the factory knob without destroying it. A failed attempt could destroy it. YMMV.

One option is to cut and splice an lever extension piece further away from the knob in order to minimize the effect of welding heat. Additional heat can be applied to recurve the lever to your liking. Wet shop cloths can minimize heat transfer to the knob end of the lever.

A short shifter also reduces the throw distance and thus interference with the seat (I suggest the factory version). However, the short shift lever is different (bottom end) which means cutting and splicing the orig. shift knob/lever assy. onto it.

Another option is to purchase a replacement factory knob, then install it onto your shift lever of choice (extended factory or short shifter), then recoup the cost by selling your orig. knob/shift lever assy. complete.

Sherwood

[piscator]

Thanks guys!!

Great information here. I had a feeling that fabricating something was the solution. JWalker's extension is what I had in mind and that link is a big help.

That shift knob, however, is the tightest 'press fit' I've ever encountered!!

piscator

[wildcat077]

My 89 was a screw on original shifter knob...
Read all kinds of posts about people cutting them off,removing the shift lever and smashing the original knob to bits in a vise.
I used a heat gun and after about 15 minutes of heating and twisting it came off... thankfully in one piece.I installed a Momo shifter knob and was able to add approx 1 to 1.5 inches to the lever by putting tape on the end of the lever to make it thicker and not pushing the new knob all the way down.
I tightened the crap out of the three set screws which i installed with 242 Loctite and it hasn't moved in over 2000 kms !
I really like the extension and the feel with the heavier knob,seems easier to shift

[john walker's workshop]

i used an old shift handle section and machined a slug that pressed into the extension about an inch, then slightly undersized the protruding end of the slug so it was a tap fit into the original handle. jb weld, and it's been fine for several years.

[piscator]

Wildcat, that's a good approach, but I'm inclined to fabricate an extension since it would give me greater flexibilty in adjusting the length.

Sherwood, good suggestion! I'm not sure where I'll 'make the splice' but starting with a 'sacrificial' lever and knob is probably a good idea. My knob is on so tight, it seems destruction would be inevitable once I start trying to remove it.

John, that really is a lovely 'kink'! Is that shift knob metal or plastic? The reflection in the picture makes it look like steel.

Am I correct that using your approach doesn't require removing the shift knob at all? That is, I simply cut the lever 3" below the knob to create the extension and then attach that to a second 'factory' lever, using the 'slug' to make the joint?

"Amazing"!

piscator