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A few ZF install questions

barronj

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
1,859
Need a shifter handle for my ZF- what are my options?
Will the shifter from any manual trans, 85 & newer (ford truck), work for me?

I have the T-handle (stock 68) shifter for my transfer case, this looks like it will be relocated. Any tips on this? I just can't see how it would stay in the same place & not interfere w/ the new 5spd. Do I re-use the plastic housing/cover, or do I move to a rubber shifter boot design now?

The PO really hacked up the trans tunnel cover when they installed the Hurst 3spd floor shifter. I had the tub painted about 2 years ago, i guess I'll have to put new trans tunnel metal on, weld it, cut it, and paint it with a detail gun?

My ZF showed up shrink wrapped in plastic, tied down to a pallet, and begging for a cleaning.
 

hucklburry rev2

Sr. Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
759
I think your gonna have to buy a zf shifter. Some junkyards sell them seperate, gotta ask. I think Ebay has some less than $100 maybe. I'm assuming you need the part on top of the trans and the shifter handle.
 

hmh800

Sr. Member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
365
I made my own shifter. Used some square stock to mate up to the stub on the trans, and 5/8" rod bent how I needed it for the rest.
Yes you need to move the tcase shifter. I got creative and used the old shift linkage and was able to keep the shifter on the flat part of the tunnel. If you're using BC Broncos kit and bracket I think the shifter would end up back on the sloping part of the tunnel.
 
OP
OP
barronj

barronj

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
1,859
I think your gonna have to buy a zf shifter. Some junkyards sell them seperate, gotta ask. I think Ebay has some less than $100 maybe. I'm assuming you need the part on top of the trans and the shifter handle.

Shifter handle is all I need. Probably didn't clarify.
 

Hozr

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 15, 2011
Messages
1,434
Loc.
Oly, WA
The stock shifter handle kind of sucks (imo). It sits in an odd place, it hits the dash in 1-3-5 and the boot is stretched REALLLLLLLY tight. I'm hoping to have a stainless shifter made to match my twinstick. hopefully.
 
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OP
barronj

barronj

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
1,859
Most people put some degree of bend in it, right?

How would yours look?

I would rathe make one, than buy one.

I'll probably end up with either a cue ball or a 9 ball for a shifter. I once made a beer tap handle out of a 9 ball for my beer fridge, since I prefer 9 ball when playing pool.
 

wallaceb

Newbie
Joined
Feb 14, 2008
Messages
22
The stock shifter works ok. Heres what I did to get it where I wanted it and away from the dash.

046.jpg
 

Desert Thrasher

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 14, 2001
Messages
2,353
I made my own out of some bar stock. I milled a flat spot to bolt it to the shifter nub out of the trans. But you could just as well use a grinder. I bent it up by using a torch to heat it up. It clears my twin sticks and is in a comfortable position for all gears. I used a ball peen hammer as the shift handle just because I had one laying around. I have since painted it hammerite silver and it looks and works great.
 

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maverickconner

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2004
Messages
485
I found one of the longer old hurst shifter handles, it was the flat tappered stock. With the boot is was chrome and cool.
 

maverickconner

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2004
Messages
485
ebay has one for $20 model 7236 hurst shifter handle, there is one of the truck shifters if you have an oversized console also, but think it is like $70
 

Hozr

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 15, 2011
Messages
1,434
Loc.
Oly, WA
I bent up a temporary shifter from a Full Size Bronco transfercase shifter. I plan on making a SS shifter to match my twinsticks later on. Just need to get it moving for now.
 
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