Shifter advice

[da_bears_da1]

I am thinking about buying a Lokar shifter to put in my 65 SWB Step Side. I have a TH400 in it. I like the looks of the Lokar shifters, more old school. Question is what height to get. My bench seat is getting reupholstered so not sure of the height of the shifter. I am thinking a 23" would be best.

Would also appreciate any advice on the shifter, is Lokar a good choice? I like that it mounts to the transmission.

[Indian113]

I had a 23 inch Gennie Shifter in my 64 and hated it. It looked like a 4 speed shifter but it banged against my knee when I was driving it. My shifter was a tranny mount I think the Lokar cable shifter may be better.

[gimmy 64]

i have the lokar 23 inch shifter and i really like it. nostalgia or how ever you spell it. it's the one with the curve in it. it does not come anywhere near my knee. very nice product.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by da_bears_da1

I am thinking about buying a Lokar shifter to put in my 65 SWB Step Side. I have a TH400 in it. I like the looks of the Lokar shifters, more old school. Question is what height to get. My bench seat is getting reupholstered so not sure of the height of the shifter. I am thinking a 23" would be best.

Would also appreciate any advice on the shifter, is Lokar a good choice? I like that it mounts to the transmission.

I just came back from the Charlotte Auto Fair.
Here's the Lokar Shifter Display.

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

i have the lokar 23 inch shifter and i really like it. nostalgia or how ever you spell it. it's the one with the curve in it. it does not come anywhere near my knee. very nice product.

Thanks! Did you get the transmission mount or cable?

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I just came back from the Charlotte Auto Fair.
Here's the Lokar Shifter Display.

Thanks Lugnutz! I did not realize there were so many styles.
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[Lugnutz65]

I have not chosen a shifter yet. I do tend to research stuff way in advance. Too far actually! LOL!

I have a T5 5 speed tranny for my 65 C10. The stock shifter handle from a S10 might be OK for starters, but I'm sure I'll eventually want something that looks cooler.

Hurst has some options too. I don't have pics of those.

Jay

[gimmy 64]

i have the trans mount. very nice product. i started with it on a 350 and changed it to a 2004r. called lokar about the change and for $80 they sent me all of the parts to use it on the 2004r. pretty simple install also. very good instructions.

[1964Chevy]

I bought a TH 400 with a Lokar on it, 16". It was my opinion on it that it was a light weight product. I want to just get in slam it back and drive. I put a B&M Quicksilver on a rebuilt 700r and I like that I can slam it in drive and drive. My issue with the Lokar, and I know many folks who use them, is that it just felt like I could break it off. That's my two cents.

[steveb64]

I just put the 23" Lokar in my '64 with the TH400. I had to hog out the passenger side banana bracket a bit to get a little more adjustment in the setup for the neutral safety switch. From what I 've seen, this is a common issue with this shifter. Wasn't a big deal and it works fine now.
I also angled the shifter toward the driver a bit instead of straight down the center. It's an adjustment you can make to suit your preference.
I'm also using the Lokar kickdown switch that mounts on the transmission. I didn't like the way the bracket for this unit puts the cable up against the shifter linkage so i fabbed one up that kicks the unit out at a slight angle to keep the kickdown cable away from the linkage.
Other than that, that's my experience with Lokar so far.

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

i have the trans mount. very nice product. i started with it on a 350 and changed it to a 2004r. called lokar about the change and for $80 they sent me all of the parts to use it on the 2004r. pretty simple install also. very good instructions.

Thanks for the response. I too liked the idea that the shifter could be altered to fit on a new trans in the future.

Originally Posted by 1964Chevy

I bought a TH 400 with a Lokar on it, 16". It was my opinion on it that it was a light weight product. I want to just get in slam it back and drive. I put a B&M Quicksilver on a rebuilt 700r and I like that I can slam it in drive and drive. My issue with the Lokar, and I know many folks who use them, is that it just felt like I could break it off. That's my two cents.

Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by steveb64

I just put the 23" Lokar in my '64 with the TH400. I had to hog out the passenger side banana bracket a bit to get a little more adjustment in the setup for the neutral safety switch. From what I 've seen, this is a common issue with this shifter. Wasn't a big deal and it works fine now.
I also angled the shifter toward the driver a bit instead of straight down the center. It's an adjustment you can make to suit your preference.
I'm also using the Lokar kickdown switch that mounts on the transmission. I didn't like the way the bracket for this unit puts the cable up against the shifter linkage so i fabbed one up that kicks the unit out at a slight angle to keep the kickdown cable away from the linkage.
Other than that, that's my experience with Lokar so far.

Thanks! How much did you have to hog out on the passenger side? Do you have any pictures?

This forum is great!

[steveb64]

I probably extended the adjustment slot 1/16-1/8 inch, not much, but just enough to get the neutral safety switch to open when in Drive.

[63burban]

My 63 has a 700r4 with a Genie shifter, it had a 12" arm, it came out of a 33 Ford street rod. I cut the short arm just above the shifter and welded on an old truck 4 speed lever, looks totally cool, works great. I can't see paying the prices on these new shifters, I re-purpose, that's what swap meets are for, cheap stuff. Makes me B<)

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by 63burban

My 63 has a 700r4 with a Genie shifter, it had a 12" arm, it came out of a 33 Ford street rod. I cut the short arm just above the shifter and welded on an old truck 4 speed lever, looks totally cool, works great. I can't see paying the prices on these new shifters, I re-purpose, that's what swap meets are for, cheap stuff. Makes me B<)

Good idea. Thanks!
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[TxRat]

I just installed a Gennie shifter today. Went in with out any problems. Mounted to a 700r4

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by TxRat

I just installed a Gennie shifter today. Went in with out any problems. Mounted to a 700r4

Very nice! Will check out the Gennie. What length is your shifter?
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[TxRat]

Originally Posted by da_bears_da1

Very nice! Will check out the Gennie. What length is your shifter?
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Its the Swan shifter arm. They only offer one swan arm. I can measure it if you'd like

Old dogs street rod parts Part number is: 1018L $80.95 Swan Stick

You can get it and the complete shifter assembly from http://www.olddogstreetrods.com/


Good people...

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by TxRat

Its the Swan shifter arm. They only offer one swan arm. I can measure it if you'd like

Old dogs street rod parts Part number is: 1018L $80.95 Swan Stick

You can get it and the complete shifter assembly from http://www.olddogstreetrods.com/


Good people...

Thanks!
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[Indian113]

Gennie Shifter's are No Longer in Bussiness

[TxRat]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Gennie Shifter's are No Longer in Bussiness

Gennie is alive and well my friend. They sold off some of their other ventures and are open again.

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by TxRat

Gennie is alive and well my friend. They sold off some of their other ventures and are open again.

That's good, we need variety

[tincan1966]

I've used Gennie, Lokar, B & M, Hurst, almost all of them over the years. Recently I even tried out American Shifter- which is a cheaper version of Lokar.

Like a couple of the others said, if you want to drive your truck and bang gears, then a B & M or Hurst or competion shifter is best. If you want to just put it in gear and look cool, then Lokar is a good choice. For everyday driving, I personally don't like the trigger lock outs on the competition shifters, but that's just me. Mow in the race car- i love my Quarter Stick!

Again, just my opinion, it is your truck and you're the one driving it.

[jsdoyle]

I really like my Lokar. Put the 8-ball knob on there about month ago. Not in the way at all, even with the better half in the middle seat.

I need to get under the truck though and hook up the back-up light ground! On my to-do list!

[UK62LW]

Radical 32" for me