I know many of you have looked for alternatives to the A4 shift handle on the F-body and for those of you who have looked, you know there isnt much selection out there. Well, I found an A4 shift **** by a company called Ichibahn. They primarily make ***** for manual transmission cars, but they have a line of ***** called the "Cruz" line that is a regular shift **** with a button on top. They are all leather and polished aluminum, and the leather can be bought in many colors. I chose to go with black. Heres a picture of it installed on my car:

<img src="http://www.metalreviewcentre.com/images/PDRM0352.jpg" alt=" - " />

I realize my car is filthy dirty, but its been in winter storage for the past few months and the last few months I was driving it, I slacked on cleaning it. I assure you, once its resurrected this spring, the inside will look much better.

I know some of you probably won't like this, but I personally think the **** works very well inside my car.

Installation was very simple. It installs just like a regular manual transmission shift ****.

1. On the back of the A4 shift handle (facing the radio) is a metal staple that must be removed to get the handle off. Just pry it off with a butter knife or small screwdriver.

2. Firmly pull straight up to get the handle off.

3. The Ichibahn **** comes with 3 different size rubber sleeves that slip over the shaft of the shift linkage to assure a tight fit. For whatever reason, the top of this rubber sleeve is not open to allow the button to push through, so I just took scissors and cut the very top of the rubber sleeve.

4. Slip the rubber sleeve that best fits (only one will fit) the shift linkage. Make sure you push it far enough down to clear the moving button.

5. The bottom of the **** has a metal ring that screws off. Unscrew the ring and slip it over the shift linkage.

6. Underneath where the ring was, will be 3 small allen screws that can be loosened or tightened with an included allen wrech. Loosen all 3 of them just barely enough so that they are as loose as possible without actually coming off.

7. Slip the **** over the rubber sleeve onto the shift linkage. Do not make the same mistake I did, and push the **** all the way down on the shift linkage. Doing this will cause the button to be partially pressed in, and this will prevent the key from coming out of the ignition.

8. Once you have the **** over the sleeve enough that the button will go down, and release enough so that its not holding the button down. Use the allen wrench to tighten the 3 allen screws so that the handle is tight on the shift linkage.

9. Take the ring that you originally put on, and pull it up to the bottom of the shift **** and screw it back on, so that it covers the 3 allen screws.

Voila! I think it looks nice, and it fits very comfortably in your hand. The button on top is made of metal, and not silver plastic, and has a very strong spring under it, so you can actually rest your hand on top of the **** without accidently pushing the button in and allowing the shifter to move.

If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask.

Oh, I bought this from a place called www.driverfx.com You can get these ***** at many places, including Crutchfield. Theyre usually around $70 each, but if you search, you can probably find them cheaper.

 

I think it looks <img border="0" alt="[pimp]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_pimp.gif" /> personally!

 

I like it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> I'm looking for a chrome T-handle like the B&M one (for TH400s, I think). Like the T-handle used in the one-off T/A show car GM Design did last summer (the one with the shaker scoop). <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

If I can find a handle like that for a 4L60E, then I'd be first in line to buy one <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

Anyway, nice shifter! <img border="0" alt="[chug]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" />

-Bradster <img border="0" alt="[driving]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_driving3.gif" />

<small>[ March 14, 2003, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: Raven99 ]</small>

 

I put a T-Handle off of a T/A on my Z28. I like it much better!

 

Constrictor 98 TA, I like it. I have one thats very similar to that one. I see you live in Chic. Hgts. I live in Sauk Village which is right next door. Maybe I'll see you around at some of the shows or something.

 

Cool mod <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
I need that start button <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Did you make a write up for that?

 

I like it,looks good.

I noticed your heater is on maximum heat,a little cold there in Chicago is it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Tudds:
<strong> Cool mod <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
I need that start button <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Did you make a write up for that? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I was thinking about doing that start button thing, too. Is there a write up anywhere?

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NightHawk:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Tudds:
<strong> Cool mod <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
I need that start button <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Did you make a write up for that? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I was thinking about doing that start button thing, too. Is there a write up anywhere? </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I know bomax would be mad if I didn't plug his site http://www.ls1camaro.net there is a write-up for the push-button start there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

I like the push button start also. Thanks for the link <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cool AirZ28:
<strong> Constrictor 98 TA, I like it. I have one thats very similar to that one. I see you live in Chic. Hgts. I live in Sauk Village which is right next door. Maybe I'll see you around at some of the shows or something. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, right down the street from ya. I am tentatively going to have a couple F-body guys over at my house on Wednesday May 21st for my unveiling of my car with the heads/cam in, so if you're gonna be around, you can stop by. Hell, anyone is welcome if you're in the area.

And thanks everyone for the compliments. Yeah, it gets cold in Chicago pretty early. The car hasnt been on the street since Dec 12th, so the heater is in that position from before then! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Yes, the engine start button is a great mod. Some people call it rice, but I don't think so. The S2000 button works great for this mod and I have gotten alot of compliments from people getting into my car.