Removing reverse lockout

[Dragcamaro]

So who alls done it? Is it easy to mistake first for reverse? I understand how to do it, Im just afraid of downshifting from second to reverse, I figure the transmission wouldnt allow it and would make an obnoxious grinding noise, which i also want to avoid.
Ive been kinda thinking of rigging up some kind of elastic to give it a "feel"

Comments? Opinions? I really dont mind the factory lock out, it works well, just looks a little goofy

 

[1980PontiacWagon]

I think someone tried this before, but the way that the shifter is designed, you have to lift the collar below the shift knob to allow the shifter to go over into reverse.

 

[JimmyQ]

i would assume that the tranny wouldnt let you shift into reverse, but i dont mind the lock out enough to want to change it

 

[Dragcamaro]

It can be easily removed, I was wanting to put a countersunk shift knob in the car or maybe even get the stick cut down and rethreaded.

 

[Eric Smit]

Where the lockout used to be.

Step one: remove shift knob.
Step two: remove shift boot.
Step three: remove reverse lockout.

You'd figure out the difference between reverse and first pretty quick. One punches your knee, and the other just grazes it.


-Eric Smit

 

[Dragcamaro]

Whats the thick piece about halfway up the shaft? Does the lock out ride on it? GM has always been bad about putting rubber bushings in the middle of the shifters.

 

[LS1notFOUND]

see my thread here:
there's pictures of the 5speed all taken apart:
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t2057/

 

[ahtoxa]

What is the benefit of the lockout removal? I don't see it as much of an annoyance.

 

[Eric Smit]

we see it as an annoyance.


-Eric Smit

 

[Dragcamaro]

Its ugly and i want a shorter shifter. I think im gonna cut my stick down and get it rethreaded, or cut a section out of the middle of it and use a sleeve to bolt the two sections together

 

[Dragcamaro]

Anyone know what the thread is for the factory spin on knobs? probably something stupid like the bolt pattern is

 

[GeneralZod]

Not entirely sure, but I would assume a machine thread in metric. If you cut it down and use a new knob you can tap it. I like where you are going with this.

 

[Dragcamaro]

Ill probably have to have it turned down though, if i remember right the stick itself is a good bit thicker than the thread, it believe it tapers down. Course i could probably spend some time with a grinder on it...

Ill probably do the professional thing though and get it milled at a machine shop

 

[Dragcamaro]

pic from another thread

It looks like theres a soft bushing in the middle piece thats thicker, getting rid of this will make the shifting feel a little more direct, plus itd be easy to cut this out, slide a piece of pipe over the whole piece and put two bolts through it. Maybe some jb weld to make sure theres no slop. Ive been thinking of putting a bend into it too

 

[GeneralZod]

Yeah, it will need to be turned down. If you have a really good tap kit you could tap it down in steps. It would be messy and long but easier on the wallet. I have done it on rod stock.

However, I bet that chamfer is placed so that knob is always in the right depth and if all the way in facing the right way.

Very possible to do on your own. A machine shops will likely charge you more than you'd expect. And a bend would add to the cost. Why the bend? More ergonomic? I have an auto which is why I ask.

 

[$ub$onic]

Ill probably have to have it turned down though, if i remember right the stick itself is a good bit thicker than the thread, it believe it tapers down. Course i could probably spend some time with a grinder on it...

Ill probably do the professional thing though and get it milled at a machine shop

Thats not a milling operation you would wanna use a lathe. Being a machinist myself i would eather make anothet knob to fit or grind down the existing thread

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Dragcamaro]

A lathe is what I meant, milled just seemed to be the term to use. Is "lathed" a word?

I think ill end up splitting the shaft to lower it. I'll start by splitting the thick spot the reverse lockout rides on.

A bend was just a thought. Honestly the factory stick isn't all that bad, idk what direction I'd even bend it.

 

[$ub$onic]

lol the term for a lathe is "turned"

 

[law242]

Quit burning him guys haha. Stock on the sonic six speed is a simple knurled setup. I got a nrg carbon shift knob and used a rubber dead blow hammer to hammer in place with its plastic sleeve already installed. Many shift knobs if you tap it are 3/8-16 thread. I have also seen m10-? I cant remember the pitch on the metric side. If you stick to the 3/8 then you have a very common thread for knobs.

 

[GeneralZod]

So he doesn't know all the jargon, big deal

You if do think about getting it turned and bent, what about a new shifter totally. That way it could be bent, correct dimensions, and correct threading for the knob. It would take me two minutes on CAD to make. You could test and evaluate with another material to see what bend or angle would work best.

Might sound complex, but I am sure others would do it too. Plus it would have a very custom look.