• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Shift knob mounting ideas?


Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
The shift knob on this truck is pressed on. The existing lever diameter is a tad over 1/2”. I don’t really want to epoxy a new knob on so I can take it off if needed. What would it take to shave that thing down and put some standard threads on it? Would I need to find a machine shop with one of those big turning machine things to reduce diameter? Do it with a grinder? JB weld a bolt on?
 


19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,473
Reaction score
4,409
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
Don't JB Weld it, you don't want it to come off unexpectedly. If I remember right those shift levers are hollow, you could cut the head off a bolt, press it into the shifter and pin or set screw it in place. I'd also remove the shifter and cut the splines off first.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
TRS Forum Moderator
U.S. Military - Active
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Ham Radio Operator
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
12,695
Reaction score
12,380
Points
113
Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
If you are going to modify it, you might as well get it threaded for a common shift knob threading. Figure out what it is in the knob you want to use and get it cut and threaded for that.
 

dvdswan

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Messages
2,832
Reaction score
2,894
Points
113
Location
Seattle, WA
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger XLT 2WD
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Keep your mind like an umbrella, it only works if its open... Continually learning.
You could just tap it as a 1/2-14 and drill out the shift knob and install a thread insert into the knob and JB weld the piece in.

As @sgtsandman said, I think common are the 5/16"-18 or 3/8"-16. I think 1/4"-20 is too small.
 

Roert42

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Apr 24, 2020
Messages
4,737
Reaction score
4,881
Points
113
Location
Kintersville, PA
Vehicle Year
2011
Make / Model
Ranger XLT
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
On my old F-150 I just took the threaded shift knob and screwed it onto the splined shaft. Just kinda forced it on their, the splines were soft enough. Never fell off.
 

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,919
Reaction score
4,317
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
the hurst shifter has 3/8-16 threads btw.
 

gaz

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Sep 21, 2007
Messages
1,380
Reaction score
621
Points
113
Location
Wa, Bremerton 98310
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
87Ranger Endrigo 2.9l, 87BII Endrigo 4.0l
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Ranger 5" (2" suspension), BII 4" suspension
Total Drop
Ranger 5sp, BII A4LD
Tire Size
Ranger 33"/4:10LS, BII 29"/3:73LS
My credo
Deengineer until it is how Blue Oval should have sold it!!
Chapap,

I bought a slip on threaded adapter because it was cheaper than the tap. The shifter stick, required a little diameter reduction; a die grinder with a variety of abrasive burs, barrel Sanders or simply a hand metal file will do the job 🙂

The adapter I bought uses 3 Allen driven set screws to hold in place and a hard rubber grommet about the circumstance. With a little lock-tite on the set screws, it remains very secure.

Because my Ranger has a body lift I also added an angled extension to compensate for shifter height, allowing me to move the shifter handle in the optimum position for dash and seat clearance.

Using these components made for an extremely simple, fast installation and afforded me the choice of nearly any style shift handle on the market.
 
Last edited:

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,753
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
I just bought a shift knob that uses 3 set screws to secure it. No modification necessary... Knobs don't need to be pressed or screwed on if they have the 3 set screws.
 

600$04Ranger

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
60
Reaction score
44
Points
18
Age
49
Location
Ashland, OR.
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Xlt 4wd 4.0L V6
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31x10.5
My credo
Mandates are for fascist dictators!
Might as well add a useful trigger while you've got it apart, even if you're not ready to wire it up to that flame thrower collecting dust in your garage!
 

Attachments

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
Might as well add a useful trigger while you've got it apart, even if you're not ready to wire it up to that flame thrower collecting dust in your garage!
i have wanted a horn button on the stick. Hard to honk when both hands are busy.
 

600$04Ranger

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
60
Reaction score
44
Points
18
Age
49
Location
Ashland, OR.
Vehicle Year
2004
Make / Model
Xlt 4wd 4.0L V6
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31x10.5
My credo
Mandates are for fascist dictators!
i have wanted a horn button on the stick. Hard to honk when both hands are busy.
I made that shifter out of leftovers from an oak burl I had made a coffee cup holder for my last Ranger. It reminded me of a pistol grip shifter and I needed to replace my original knob which was cracked. My friend had it in one of his many spare parts containers. Always wanted to have a row of toggle switches wired to a host of unconventional features but never got anything accomplished other than making machine gun noises at the distracted driver who thinks texting is more important than noticing their light was green. Childish but better than getting stressed out and confrontational. Of course I'm still a fan of laying on the horn and yelling "GET OFF YOUR PHONE!"
 

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,919
Reaction score
4,317
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
i have wanted a horn button on the stick. Hard to honk when both hands are busy.
Ive done that with mine, have a push-pull switch on the stick just below the knob. pull up-air horn on, push down turns horn off. Very reminiscent of a two-speed rear axle switch from grain trucks back in the day. The Dixie horn is on a separate toggle switch. Ironically the original factory horn no longer works.
 

Eddo Rogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Messages
3,952
Reaction score
2,472
Points
113
Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
Ive done that with mine, have a push-pull switch on the stick just below the knob. pull up-air horn on, push down turns horn off. Very reminiscent of a two-speed rear axle switch from grain trucks back in the day. The Dixie horn is on a separate toggle switch. Ironically the original factory horn no longer works.
Your truck is horny.
 

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
I bought this sweet knob on eBay. I measured the shaft at 0.583” with a couple spots up to 0.588”. Going to get a die and put some 9/16” (0.5625”) threads on the shaft. I think I’ll need to shave off a couple hundredths off before putting the die on. I read that you want to start at the target OD or a few thou smaller.
67757
67758
 
Last edited:

Chapap

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2021
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
672
Points
113
Location
NW Florida
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XLT
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
1.5” till I get these springs replaced
Tire Size
225-70-R14
68058
68059

Wound up taking the lever to my local machinist. Paid $30 for him to put it on the lathe and put some threads on it… and they are some tight threads! No play at all! I didnt want to track down a die and handle, then figure out how to shave the diameter down with a thou precision. Would have cost more and probably turn out pretty shoddy.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Members online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top