Automatic shifter soultions

[ENDLIFE]

I've dumped more money into my '71 then I can imagine; unfortunately, not always happy with the results. I thought I had my Bronco exactly that way I wanted it (according to other peoples opinions), then i made the mistake of driving a friends '72 converted to 5.0 multi-point with the help of RJM injection, and a fresh C-4 transmission. I was so jealous of my friends Bronco, the drive ability, the ease of use, and the fact that with the TerraFlex low gear set in his D20 just made the total package in my opinion.
I'm almost done with the same setup hundreds of Bronco owners have and love, but I have a dilemma with selecting the right shifter. I have a Tuffy stereo security console, so the shifter must go beside the transfer case T shifter. I would like for bronco owners to share pictures of their automatic shifter solutions, problems with installations, and manufacture of choice (Art Carr, Winters, TCI, B&M, Lokar, and hopefully a Kilduff shifter). Please help with this problem, and please post those pictures.

 

[u10072]

O please god almighty don't use that kilduff contraption or any other b&m or hurst either. Go with a winters or art Carr ..both are the same thing. The TCI is for the drag race crowd. Personally I build/sell a console...pics are in my gallery that mounts the shifter. The winters and AC have literally nothing to wear out, are easy to set up and come with a really nice HD shifter cable. I just looked at that contraption again... Please don't do that to yourself or your Bronco

 

[ENDLIFE]

Nice setup u10072. Your reply had me laughing because your not the only one that warned me against the "Kilduff Machine." The other gentleman that warned me had bought a Kilduff shifter, and was very unhappy with the construction of the product. I personally love the Art Carr/Winters shifter, and it will be the one I most likely buy. However, I was sent some pictures with a Bronco the was equipped with a Lokar cable shifter, I have to say I liked what I saw, but the price tag for what you get has me a little discouraged. What goes into my Bronco is most likely going to be the AC/Winters, but I haven't ruled out the Lokar shifter yet.

 

[BUCKNBRONK]

if u have a c-4 ever thought of putting it back on the column? clears up the floor and u can find a auto column pretty easy. U cant go wrong with the carr shifter, but lokar stuff is nice and they dont take up alot of room to mount. u can put it right next to the t case shifter so u will have room for the tuffy. 325-350$ ain't bad for a lokar, the carr is going to run about 100 more that last time I looked and they are just as boxy as a b&m/hurst. I have been debating the shifter/tuffy console issue for a long time as well but with a aod I dont have a lot of options but its first on my next years to do list. I was contemplating a dash mount like the newer suv's and trucks but at this point its still a toss up.

 

[70 Steed]

I just went through this exact same thing. I had a POS Hurst Promatic mounted between the seats that was installed by the PO. I wanted to install a Tuffy consol. After much discussion with other Bronco owners including Jim at WH I came to the conclusion that i wouldn't able to easily reach a Winters mounted next to the T-case. I believe Jim has his mounted vertically between the dash and the floor.

I went with the Lokar and couldn't be happier. There is one problem with the install of the Lokar from Duffs though. I posted about it here. The bracket supplied in the kit that mounts to the C4 that holds the cable won't work. You will have to fab your own.

I'll try to post pis later today.

 

[u10072]

Console Pics

I have had a couple people ask me about my console and here are some pics. Now this isn't free at $250 but it houses the shifter, acts as a console and also as a place to mount toggles and such. If you buy an automatic column you are looking at $150-$250 plus linkages. If its not rebuilt you are still dealing with 35+ year old parts and manual shifting isnt really that good. Get a B&M/Hurst, then it will break, wear out or you need a class on how to use the rachet contraption --before it breaks. Go Art Carr/Winters, you can start driving laps around the Earth and more than likely you will die of natural causes, terrorists or just get tired of driving, prior to that thing wearing out ;D I had two Hurst units years ago and they never worked right and then with the slightest bit of grit dont work right-- they break. I love the way they look but thats about it -- but when you learn how they work they don't look so cool.

 

[rustbucket]

I just looked at the Kilduff website, and I have to say that thing looks pretty crude to me. In one video he has some girl dressed up like a cheap hooker demonstrating the shifter%) In another, I hear him cussing:-X Really doesn't portray a professional business to me.

As for which shifter to choose, I think it depends on what you are using the Bronco for. If it's mostly street driven, the Lokar is fine. If you're doing some hard-core wheeling, and need to be able reach and operate the shifter without thinking about it, the Winters/Art-Carr is the choice.

I have the Lokar. It looks good, but it's not very good on the trail.

 

[70 Steed]

If you're doing some hard-core wheeling, and need to be able reach and operate the shifter without thinking about it, the Winters/Art-Carr is the choice.

I don't think you are going to be able to easily reach it with a Tuffy consol.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I started with a C4 Lokar shifter on the 4R70W. Worked fairly well. Very nicely built. Later I started cleaning stuff up and got a stock column and converted back to a column shift. I never did find a decent B&M or Hurst shifter. They were all junk or drag race oriented. I know a few people who tried ratcheting shifters, after the novelity wore off in a weekend they couldn't rip them out fast enough.

I find it hard to intigrate a shifter design into a center console without blowing all the functionality of the console or other highly negative things. Column shifters are a great option in my book.

 

[Rustytruck]

I used a B&M quicksilver once but will never do that again. ratchet shifters suck off road especially on 3 point turns. then every 2 years or so the shifter cable housing splits and you cant shift. try finding a B&M cable on a sunday afternoon so you can get to work on Monday.
I like the collumn shift too but if you want to go to the floor I would go locar with a rigeded shift rod after my past experience with cable shifters i shy away from them. There are some good instructions on what it takes to put the good locar shifter in. its not easy but once its done its done.

 

[pcf_mark]

I have a C4 with a Lokar. The only wrinkle is it is a rod design (not a cable) so the bottom of the shifter needs a straight shot at the arm on the transmission. The t-case linkage makes this a challenge to orient properly. Do not try to bend the rod. When you park on a hill and really need to push the shifter to release the part pawl it will bend and you are f'ed. Once aligned mine has been perfect. Neutral safety switch is integrated but no back up light switch which is stupid. I have fabbed many attempts but the old toggle switch is the only thing that works so far.

 

[ENDLIFE]

I'm laughing more and more about people and their Kilduff experience. The dimensions on their shifter make it an automatic no for my choices, but the AC/Winters and Lokar are still in the running. Thanks for all the great input on options to consider and options to avoid. I would've never though to use a column shifter, and that may be the cheapest option if I can find all the parts. Does anyone else have some pros and cons about the Lokar cable shifter?

 

[Broncobowsher]

I did a Lokar with a cable shift, but I put the cable on it. Before Lokar offered the cable option. I am sure that a Lokar engineered cable shifter would be a lot easier then having to make it yourself, like I did.

 

[ENDLIFE]

Awesome! Do you have any pics of the final product, and maybe underneath the body? Who knows, maybe your method might be better then Lokar's cable setup, and maybe cheaper.

 

[ENDLIFE]

Someone suggested a B&M Unimatic shifter. Does anyone have any experience with one of these shifters? I know I've been warned to avoid B&M, but I just want to know about alll available options.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Someone suggested a B&M Unimatic shifter. Does anyone have any experience with one of these shifters? I know I've been warned to avoid B&M, but I just want to know about alll available options.

Bought one from Summit, it arrived, I opened the box and inspected...
Total garbage, shipped it back the next day. Got the Lokar.

I still have the Lokar, took it out when I went to column shift. It isn't a c4 anymore, I took the shift gate and resculpted it to match the 4r70W. Which is amazingly easy to do on the Lokar. Drill 2 alignment holes, grind off the 2 welds holding the gate in place, shape to your needs. I used 1/8" alignment holes and could pop rivit the plate back on for checks. when happy put a couple little welds back in place.

 

[MyOriginal66]

I have an auto/tilt column from a late 70's F-series in the parts for sale section;D

Get tilt and auto all in one!

 

[70 Steed]

As promised here's some pics of my Lokar cable shifter with the Tuffy console.

 

[Rustytruck]

70 steed what shifter length did you use and would you use that length again?

 

[70 Steed]

70 steed what shifter length did you use and would you use that length again?

I got the standard 12" and I think it's the right length. I angled it a little toward the driver's side to make it easier to reach.