Cutting off a twin stick....

[JC]

I need to shorten one of my twin sticks about an inch for shifter clearance. They're stainless, if that matters, and wondered what would be best for chopping some off. I'm assuming a cut off wheel, hack saw, or sawzall will do the trick, but sometimes I get in trouble when I start thinking.

 

[Bundy]

you mean clearance issue with the tranny shifter?

 

[garberz]

Stainless is tough stuff. A cutoff wheel would be the easiest. How does the knob attach?

 

[fromme]

I don't know your situation exactly, but seems like it'd be a better option to heat the shifter and bend it to get the clearance you need? Beats cutting and rethreading one if you could do that.

 

[JC]

Stainless is tough stuff. A cutoff wheel would be the easiest. How does the knob attach?

That's what I was thinking! I've never done anything with stainless before. The current knob is threaded, but I'll be cutting the threads off. I have another knob to put on.

My 435 shifter bumps the rear shifter when its put in low range. That's why I'm wanting cut the twin stick down a little.

 

[fromme]

That's what I was thinking! I've never done anything with stainless before. The current knob is threaded, but I'll be cutting the threads off. I have another knob to put on.

My 435 shifter bumps the rear shifter when its put in low range. That's why I'm wanting cut the twin stick down a little.

I just installed the JBFab sticks and my NP435 shifter hit the rear shifter too. I just bent it toward the driver an inch or so and viola.

 

[JC]

Thanks, you're right, that would work too. I don't have a way to heat and bend, unless I build a fire outside. I just want to shorten it about an inch. Thanks!

 

[fromme]

A common propane torch on the area you want to bend it for a couple minutes will get it done. When it turns a faint dark red, bend it!

 

[garberz]

I have the WH's version twin stick, I had to bend mine a bit. Just put it in the vise and add some leverage to it. It only takes a few minutes to take them back off.

 

[JC]

hmmmm, I think I'll give that a try before i cut it. THANKS!!

 

[trailbound]

what ever you do, just don't heat that stainless to bend it. You wont like the discoloring result.

Personally I would simply bend my 435 shifter. I've put 2 sets of twin sticks in. Both broncos had 435's and i've never seen this issue. But I bend my 435 shifters way down.

 

[mp]

Cutting would be the easy part....starting new threads on heat hardened stainless barstock would be the tough part.

I would strongly suggest you bend rather than cut/rethread.

 

[kbldawg]

JC, Ben had the same issue. He bent his using a torch. I think he said he took some steel wool to it afterwards and polished it back up.

 

[KyleQ]

I heated my Tom's shifters up and bent them out of the way - used some steel wool and you can't even tell. Use a torch - bend em. Simple as that - easiest to have someone heat them while you sit in the drivers seat and bend them how you need them.

 

[Bundy]

I had to bend my stainless, it's discolored sure... but it matches the rest of the rig!

 

[JC]

I wasn't planning to rethread it. Have a shift knob that slips on and has a set screw. But, I think I'll go ahead and get a propane torch (and steel wool) and try that. I need to bend my 435 shifter just a little too. Thanks again!!

 

[Bundy]

you can go to a muffler shop and offer em $20 for the 2 minutes it will take for them to heat it up...

 

[bronko69er]

Propane may or may not get it hot enough to bend easily, might have to use map gas, or go to a shop with oxy acetylene, that will take 2 min.

 

[JB Fab]

Propaine will work, just heat were you want to bend it to a dull red, the hotter you get it the more discoloring you will get.
If you need to cut it, use a grinder with a cutting disc....
Jon

 

[JC]

Propaine will work, just heat were you want to bend it to a dull red, the hotter you get it the more discoloring you will get.
If you need to cut it, use a grinder with a cutting disc....
Jon

Thanks Jon! By the way, I'm very happy with your product!!