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  1. #1

    Default Short Throw Shifter Recommendations

    Hello All!

    I recently bought an '83 GLX 5.0 in great condition with low mileage. It came with a Hurst Short Throw Shifter.

    Issue is, when I am in 3rd and 5th the shifter bumps into the radio dial.

    Can anyone make a good short throw shifter recommendation?

    Thanks for your help in advance!

  2. #2
    FEP Super Member bwguardian's Avatar
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    Have you checked to see if it's bolted up correctly?
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  3. #3

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    How about changing shifter handle, that way you keep short throw, several aftermarket available.
    ed

  4. #4
    FEP Senior Member Tigger's Avatar
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    I have a Steeda Tri-ax in my Saleen with the Steeda handle. I like it and the positioning. Unfortunately, the Hurst that came with my car wasn't doing it for me. I would try changing the handle and see if that solves your problem.
    67 Mustang Coupe
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  5. #5
    FEP Power Member Jerry peachuer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bwguardian View Post
    Have you checked to see if it's bolted up correctly?
    Possibly missing the plastic shifter cup allowing it to travel further than normal

    I have a Hurst that came with the car and its non issue

  6. #6
    FEP Power Member David Claflin's Avatar
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    some guys have been known to bend shift lever to suit their height, seat position or whatever. I've got the hurst shifter in both of my cars and hitting the radio is not an issue.
    1985 LTD LX, Mach1 brakes, 17" Mopar police car wheels. 302, T5, 4.10s
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    1986 FHP coupe, stock shortblock, TW heads, Holley SMII intake, 4.88, T5Z
    1990 Red LX, ported AFR heads, TFS-R box upper, weenie cam, 1 3/4 long accufabs, 3" exhaust, T5, 4.56

  7. #7
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    Are you sure the shifter itself is aftermarket short-throw? Just wondering if maybe they just put the Hurst shifter arm on the stock shifter base.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
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  8. #8
    FEP Power Member mcb82gt's Avatar
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    Ive never heard of an issue with the Hurst. Ive used a Steeda TRiax and loved it every time.
    Mike

    Now stang-less.

    88 Cougar 5.0

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    If the shifter lever bolts to base are loose, travel will be all over the place.
    Pull up the shifter boot and see whatcha got.

    Have a T-5 Core/Hurst Billet Plus base. Totally elated with it. Perfect gate positions for me.
    Ordered a custom tower base only, exactly per Core recommendation for long 10.5" Hurst lever and Ford T-5 trans.
    Reused the longer lever, boots, ball used with the stock T5 base. Bushing was fine.
    Longer stick than stock needed different fulcrum height to preserve the short throw from a new base.
    Very short throw with nice firm solid feel no slop. No adjustments needed. No noise.
    Shift ball position is a spread hand's width from the steering wheel rim and couple inches higher than stock.
    With thumb on steering wheel rim, can touch shift ball with little finger.
    This is a more natural position with no wrist bending shifting. Arm is level when shifting.
    Can shift with hand on ball, or wrist sideways, thumb on top of ball. A natural position to pull a lever.
    Is never anywhere near the dash, and elbow/arm easily clears console when shifting.
    T-handle shift 'knob' also works great. I switch up every now and then from ball style to the T.
    Can use shorter stock T-5 shift levers if bolt pattern is Hurst.

    Liked it so much, ordered short throw shifter kit for my Ranger. Same deal perfect (after adding 2" to stick height).

    stock T5 base (L) and custom ordered Core/Hurst (R)
    Name:  shifter core install (20) 3030.JPG
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    Hurst lever used. Pic is before swap.
    Name:  shift Hurst 009 lever 3030.JPG
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    First gear
    Name:  shifter core install 1st (42) 3030.JPG
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    Neutral
    Name:  shifter core install N (43) 3030.JPG
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    Second gear
    Name:  shifter core install 2nd (44) 3030.JPG
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Size:  63.2 KB
    Last edited by gr79; 08-31-2020 at 04:28 PM.

  10. #10
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    For comparison, pics of lever positions prior to change. Same Hurst stick, boot, stock T-5 base.
    Note position of boot plate and boot folds:
    First gear:
    Name:  shifter515 1st (1) 3030.JPG
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    Second gear:
    Name:  shifter515 2nd (2) 3030.JPG
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Size:  65.0 KB

  11. #11
    FEP Senior Member Sask84gt's Avatar
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    Have not used one yet but have read really good things about MGW shifters. That's what I will be putting in mine when I'm ready.
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  12. #12
    FEP Senior Member Greywolf's Avatar
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    I will agree with all of this; the Hurst should fit without hitting anything, AND that the MGW setup is fantastic.

    I had a Hurst shifter and nothing to complain about, better than the (admittedly, worn-out) stock shifter. I'd buy another one.

    My SN95 (3.8 V6/T5) has an MGW shifter and it's so adjustable, I have it just as I like it, and MGW is at the top of my shifters list now. If I had a Hurst, I wouldn't replace it just for the MGW, but if I had to buy a new one, I'd need persuasion not to go with the MGW.

    As for the original poster, there must be something wrong with the install or the condition of the Hurst in there. Is it a Hurst, and not just the Hurst lever? Maybe it's the lever for a different car? Or, as mentioned above, the plastic cup--how much wobble is there in the shift lever before the gears start to engage?

  13. #13
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Had the shift lever loosen up once. Crazy sloppy. Thought the trans was bad.
    Drove into a parking lot, and pulled the boot off.
    One bolt had worked its way all the way out. Had tools and was back on my way.
    Changed out the two shift lever bolts for longer ones to add lock nuts.

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