T15 Shift Lever Issues

Hello all, I currently have the transmission out of my 73 CJ5 and am getting ready to take it in for an inspection or rebuild if it needs it. My dilemma is, the shifter is too short. My engine got swapped out in a previous life from a 72 Wagoneer and is now a 360. I have a feeling that they used the transmission from the Wagoneer also, and just a guess...the shifter is shorter in the Wagoneer due to the seat height being shorter, just a guess. My shifter currently measures about 14 inches from the base to the threads, which are snapped off, of course. After doing some reading, apparently my shifter lever would have to be removed from the bottom, removing the shift rails and big round spring. The shift top does not have the screw off top as in later years. Does anyone know if those two types are interchangeable? There is a complete top on ebay right now but it has the screw off top. If I thought it would work I would buy it and install it before I take the transmission in for the inspection. I have been searching for a year for just a replacement for the shift lever and they must be made of unobtanium. I had an opportunity to measure the shifter from another jeep the same year as mine, it looked stock, and measured about 20 inches, including the knob. I thought about welding a bolt on the end about 4-5 inches long, but it would look like a welded on bolt. Kind of going for a good restore on the jeep. If anyone has experience with these T15 top assemblies, I would appreciate your thoughts.

 

I haven't worked on a T15 for a while, but I think the cane can be removed from the top by pushing down on he spring-loaded retainer, then pulling the pins out on both sides.
I would find some old D18 twin-stick levers and cut one down and weld it on to your short lever. An oxy/acetylene torch will heat your cane to bend it in about any shape you desire.
-Donny

 

My dad had a demonstrator 72 or 73 CJ5 that had that very short shift cane in it.
It was a 304 and had 4.27s for axle gearing.
Although the parts manual doesn't list different length cane shifters for the CJ5 T-15, I wouldn't rule out that the short stick is factory.
Doesn't help your situation, just a memory from years past.

Donny, T-15 is like all earlier 3 speeds; have to remove the tower to disassemble.
T150, T176 etc come apart as you describe.

 

Yeah, the '72s had a very short shifter stalk as I recall. Maybe some '73s too. Sporty! My '73 was a more normal length, but some in this era absolutely had a really short stalk. The Wagoneer and J10 got a long stalk.

Shift top disassembly is covered in the TSM. Shift top comes off, the rails removed, and the stalk comes out from the underside.

You should be able to find a stalk. It doesn't really wear out, and junk T-15s that have been scrapped for their gears are out there. Advertise in the WTB forum here and elsewhere. Try Herm, and the Jeep junkyards. Be resourceful. Maybe Nick's pal in Oregon (name escapes me for now).

Just FYI - you're in the wrong forum. A '73 is an intermediate, not an early CJ-5. '72-75 intermediate, '76-up late.

 

The slots int the shift lever or stalk can wear out allowing the stick to rotate more than normal. Not as common on T-15’s, T-14’s, etc. as on transmissions with easily removable shift levers like T-18’s, SM-465, T-176’s, etc.

Richard at R&P may have a complete shifter assembly, not sure. He is leaving out of town Friday for Eastern Oregon for the weekend. His number is 503-557-8911 and is located South of Portland, OR (between Oregon City and Canby). Had lunch with him today. If he doesn’t answer leave a message. He is a rural area and his cell phone gets spotty coverage if he is away from the shop. He is a one man show.