OK youse guys with the Hurst/FX4/etc. seriously BENT-BACK shifters...

[Fx4wannabe01]

Actually the stock lever is angled back right off the trans the hurst lever sticks up quite a bit before it bends back.

the Hurst lever actually increases the clearance between the shift lever
and the console and manages to move the knob back a bit in the bargain...

and that is compared to the '98-style shift lever...

AD

Correct indeed. The chrome Fx4 shifter goes straight up then angles back as well. Compare the Fx4 shifter to a Regular 98+ shifter, stacked on top of eachother, the ball is in the same exact location.

The Fx4 arm actually WORKS w/o a shift extention when a 3" bodylift is installed. All thanks to the straight up 5" compared to being angled right of the trans like the regualr shifter is. Still too short for comfort though.

Both Fx4 arm and the Hurst work just fine with a short center console as well. Keep in mind...the hurst throws are ALOT shorter than stock, so it doesn't get as close to the console in 2-4-R anyway. It's when you start bodylifting is when it gets tricky. If you've got the 60/40's, this isn't an issue.

On my hurst, I made a few different extentions to compensate for the bodylift. 1" up, 1 1/8" back, 1/4" left was perfect for a 1" bodylift and shorty console. BUT....NOT very good with the 3" bodylift. I actually unbolted my console and let it slide because it got so close to the cupholders. Then I made a 2.5" up, 1 1/8" back, 1/4" left and it was PERFECT with the 3" bodylift and the console mounted in its proper position. Hurst with 3" bodylift and no extention is WAY to short and too far of a reach. Hell..I think that with the hurst on a stock truck.

 

[AllanD]

In my case my "adapter" to use the stock knob raises the knob
by about 1-3/4", which works perfectly with my shorty console
and 1" body lift.

AD

 

[kennykenny]

So out of curiousity what would I have to do to make a hurst shifter work with my 3" body lift? I'd love to get my hands on one of them bad boys.

 

[AllanD]

a taller shift lever?

Hurst sells a selection of them.... they list them on their website,
with PICs and dimensions.

AD

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

I have an FX4 but I do not have the bent shifter arm? It's just straight.. did all come with bent shifter or was mine changed previously or something? Looks pretty stock to me.. but i do have a different looking shift knob its rubber and is just different than most shifters i've seen in rangers? Was this ever made factory with FX4? Just curious.

Here's a pic: (sorry it's not really a shifter shot)

its straight

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

In my case my "adapter" to use the stock knob raises the knob
by about 1-3/4", which works perfectly with my shorty console
and 1" body lift.

AD

I think I've seen yours posted before....it gets the job done.

So out of curiousity what would I have to do to make a hurst shifter work with my 3" body lift? I'd love to get my hands on one of them bad boys.

Like this:

I think I talked about it above....olive drab colored one is 1" up, 1 1/8" up. Worked VERY well with my 1" BL and worked 'okay' for my 3" BL. Wasn't very good where the shorty console mounts in the factory location, so I made a new one spec'd out as 2 1/2" up, 1 1/8" back. Both placed to move the handle 1/4" towards the driver.

I made them out of 1/4" x 2" flat bar. 7/8" on center holes. ALOT cleaner than a all thread extention at the ball. PLUS, you can fine tune it to make the ball PERFECT for your hand.

 

[AllanD]

its straight

No it's angled, the "stub lever" that sticks out of the top of the trans
is perfectly vertical.

But the LEVER itself is angled to the rear and towards the driver

the hurst shifter has a 3" tall tower, then lever goes up another
5" or so and is then angled back

Trust me they are both "Bent" the factory lever simply
takes the shorter path.

IF you remove your boot and look at the lever you'll know what I mean...

AD

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

I can't say anything abou the Hurst or ofther shifters but the other day I pulled my stock shifter off and bent it back a bit-probably close to 1 inch or so. It's perfect now, doesn't hit the seats in 2/4/R and my my knuckles don't bash th dash in 1/3/5.

Careful if you do that, it (the shifter) looks solid but it is in fact a hollow pipe that will kink as soon apply force it......

my uncle had this 83 diesel ranger 4speed manual... i started my driving in that truck, loved the bent shifter
show me how u did it!!!

 

[Scrambler82]

I used a replacement shifter handle for the Hurst conversion; it comes up a little more, bend back and towards the driver, nice...

The Hurst #: 5388022, from Amazon it is now $80 but it was on sale.

I would say to check it out at the Hurst Web site but I was unable to locate the spec sheet but all I can say is that the new Shifter Handle is better than the one that came with the Hurst kit; it is higher, comes back more and does not interfere with anything OEM.

Although after looking at the mods here I may make a mod to bend it back a little more.