Automatic floor shifter definitions

[peterinman]

I am about to purchase a floor shifter for my c4 swap. I see three types and I would like to know the mechanical differences between them. Rachet, detent, and gate are the three and could you also add the applications for each? Thank you in advance

 

[jedblake]

I run a 170ci conversion w/ 302 & c4 floor shifted. From the research I've done the main automatic shifter differnces are cable operated v. mechanical, but to your question. Ratchet style is used in drag racing allows you to manually keep it in 1-3 or in auto and to manually shift when you want, I run a Hurst ratchet and its cable operated about $150. Its been working great but a bit bulky. The detent reminds me of a mechanical shifter similar to your t-case or auto column shifter (I'll be ugrading to a Lokar floor mounted $250 eventually, for the looks mainly and I like a mechanical linkage). These Lokar units are big in the hot rod community for their looks and function and a few EBs run them. A gate style shifter is what the ArtCarr/Winters shifters are($350ish), and also a cable. Very common in off road racing, many people will mount a Art Carr to a C4 or C6. I feel that these are not suitable for daily driver since your manually shifting an auto trans. They look cool but made for high performance applications. Hope this helps, lets see what the gurus say
Jed

 

[Broncobowsher]

Ratchet is like a motorcycle shifter. Click up, click down.
Detent is like most stock shifters
Gated is similer to detent, but you have to snake the shifter side to side in a serpentine path.

 

[backpain]

I run a 170ci conversion w/ 302 & c4 floor shifted. From the research I've done the main automatic shifter differnces are cable operated v. mechanical, but to your question. Ratchet style is used in drag racing allows you to manually keep it in 1-3 or in auto and to manually shift when you want, I run a Hurst ratchet and its cable operated about $150. Its been working great but a bit bulky. The detent reminds me of a mechanical shifter similar to your t-case or auto column shifter (I'll be ugrading to a Lokar floor mounted $250 eventually, for the looks mainly and I like a mechanical linkage). These Lokar units are big in the hot rod community for their looks and function and a few EBs run them. A gate style shifter is what the ArtCarr/Winters shifters are($350ish), and also a cable. Very common in off road racing, many people will mount a Art Carr to a C4 or C6. I feel that these are not suitable for daily driver since your manually shifting an auto trans. They look cool but made for high performance applications. Hope this helps, lets see what the gurus say
Jed

Winters/AC in standard pattern for C4 does not change that 3=D= automatic shifting of 1-2-3. 1 holds in first, 2 holds in 2nd. This is what your stock column shifter does. It does take some getting used to - weaving the gates to learn by feel rather than looking.

 

[u10072]

Get a Winters/Art Carr-- those detent ratchet units are very cheaply made, never work for very long, and simply too complicated for a very simple task.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Ratchet shifters are a pain. Cycling from 1st to R back to 1st as in rocking a stuck vehicle.
1
click
click
click
click
Now in R, go back to 1
click
click
click
click
Now back in 1st gear. Now bo to part
click
click
click
click
click
Did I count the right number of clicks? And that is if there isn't a reverse lockout which makes the N to R shift a 2-handed operation.

But a good detent shifter is nice. I ran a Lokar for years, still have it in my parts pile. That is a good quality unit that shifts pretty much like any stock floor shifter.

 

[Explorer]

The Hurst works "ok" for the street. Good theft deterent, impossible to use unless you know how it works. Worthless offroad.

 

[peterinman]

This is helpful

I am a mild off roader but I do it three or four weekends a year and I like getting stuck so it is looking like a detent is leading the way for me. To hell with the click...click....click stuff.

 

[jedblake]

Bowsher come on now, why would you rock a 4x4, unless your in over your head? Your bad experiences do not translate IMO. I know the cable operated is less desireable but trophy trucks and pre-runers run a cable? The click-click stated above is for the novice that does not know the shift pattern, my Hurst pro-matic logs many thousands of miles.