T/A A4 Shifter Boot/Knob Mod Write-Up!
#61
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OK.. just updating this thread with a little bit better picture, as promised. My door panels are off because I still need to drill out the rivets on my window motors on both doors, but you should get the idea of how well everything came together, on this MBA adapter mod on my 4L60E trans / shifter.. (notice how it looks like an aftermarket short throw M6 shifter):
#65
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I used the Grand Am boot and shift handle - FYI, the same boot was used on Malibus, Impalas, and Monte Carlos...came in both graphite and ebony
Something else, I cut mine down 1.25" and my stock TA handle would hit the front edge of the console upper. Id have to force it into park and even then, my key wouldnt come out of the ignition. The Grand Am **** is just a hair above the console and allows it fully into park
Something else, I cut mine down 1.25" and my stock TA handle would hit the front edge of the console upper. Id have to force it into park and even then, my key wouldnt come out of the ignition. The Grand Am **** is just a hair above the console and allows it fully into park
#66
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I did this mod and also used a Dremel with a Heavy Duty Cut off wheel and took 1.3125" off the top. I was not brave enough to cut up the one in my car so I bought a shifter from my local Fbody Salvage guy (STS95T/A). I should have searched for this thread first as i would have seen the posts from (1QUIKWS6) and (officermartinez),and would've had a much easier time. Mine looks like a major hack job compared to theirs but I couldn't be happier with the end results....
If you do this mod and keep the stock shifter **** make sure you measure the plastic plunger carefully as mine was a little longer than the stock one. You will probably need to replicate the diameter and the notches on the top of the plunger just like the part you cut off or it may not fit up in the shifter **** all the way. If the plastic plunger is not able to retract up all the way up then you wont be able to take your key out of the ignition because of the safety switch in the shifter that keeps you from shifting out of park without the key turned on and keeps the key in if the car is not all the way in park and the lockout button is not fully retracted. I found this out the hard way and ended up taking a torch lighter to heat up the plastic to scrape off the excess with some pliers, and enlarge the notches with a flat head screwdriver. Even though it took me 3 hours and I burned my finger with melted plastic it is one of my favorite mods to date.
If you do this mod and keep the stock shifter **** make sure you measure the plastic plunger carefully as mine was a little longer than the stock one. You will probably need to replicate the diameter and the notches on the top of the plunger just like the part you cut off or it may not fit up in the shifter **** all the way. If the plastic plunger is not able to retract up all the way up then you wont be able to take your key out of the ignition because of the safety switch in the shifter that keeps you from shifting out of park without the key turned on and keeps the key in if the car is not all the way in park and the lockout button is not fully retracted. I found this out the hard way and ended up taking a torch lighter to heat up the plastic to scrape off the excess with some pliers, and enlarge the notches with a flat head screwdriver. Even though it took me 3 hours and I burned my finger with melted plastic it is one of my favorite mods to date.
Last edited by DragonBlood; 09-27-2011 at 07:16 AM.
#68
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He only charged me $10 without the cables, but i bought some other things at the same time so i think he gave me a deal. Most people are asking 50, but I had a guy on Ebay talked down to $35, just check around you should be able to get one reasonably priced.
#72
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Ok so to be clear, you can't go shorter and use the MBA adapter ONLY because the diameter of the white plastic plunger gets SMALLER further down? And so the included set screws wouldn't make contact? Wouldn't that wire method or longer set screws solve that? Thanks guys.