Shift lever length???

I have a '75 CJ5 Renegade 304 with the t-15. The PO had cut the shift lever (dont know why) and it looked funny, and shifting wasnt very fun; getting down to reach the lever. So had my jeep at the mechanic, working on the transfer and the transmission, I called him to tell him if he finds a good looking shift lever, to swap it for the cut one. Today I call him to check how the work is doing and he tells me that the new shift lever is in, and that it looks very long; so that got me wonder...

Are all the shift levers the same length, form???
If not how to identify different shift levers from different jeep transmissions??
Can different levers be swap in form different transmission with no problem? Example: put a shift lever from a T-176 , or a T-5, or a T-150, or a T-14 to a T-15

Last off all... if it can be done; will it work the same way, I mean in terms of not hitting the dash, the seats or my knee.

 

Re: Shift lever lenght???

It's all personal preferance, the shifter rod itself is just a piece of steel so it can be any length or size-you choose. One note of caution is to not get the shift tower itself too hot if heating to bend or welding one on. Sometimes best to have shift tower off so as to make it easier to cool.

 

Re: Shift lever lenght???

Thanks but I wasnt planning on bending it or heating it, I just wanted to look stock. So just wondering if the lever for; to say 3 speeds; is the same.

 

maybe Timgr will remember..
I recall the early 72 CJ V8s as having a very short shift lever from the factory
other than that, most of the levers, T14 T15 are about the same length
4speed was longer
T15 T15 in a J10 was longer as well.
you'll need to find a CJ T15 tower or lever to work properly
might give Herm a try

 

I don't remember very well about the '72 length. I vaguely remember it being shorter, but it might be because of the suggestion. If it was shorter, it was not so much shorter that I would have trouble reaching it. I'm of average height and build. My '73 that I had back then feels like the '75 I have now.

According to my tape, my '75 T-15 shift lever is about 16" from the top of the boot to the middle of the knob. My pickup has a different stalk, about the same length but it bends sharply at the bottom so that the knob is closer to the seat pad. The CJ has a straighter, more upright seating position and corresponding shifter stalk.

 

In my '72 T-14, the shifter rod is about 14" from the base where the rod enters the tranny to the top of the threaded end where the knob twists on. It has one slight bend about 2/3 of the way up. I always thought this was a little short for comfort.

I did what I thought was a good idea. I put a coupler nut on the top end of the rod and screwed a 6" grade 8 bolt to that. I put a new shift knob on top of the bolt. Great! Or so I thought. Within a couple of months, it ripped the threaded end of the shift rod off.

My next plan was to weld a sawed off grade 8 bolt to the top of the rod. Y'all got me thinking now. What exactly is the problem if the rod gets too hot? It won't be much of a problem to remove it, I'm just curious.

 

Just remimber if it is to High your fingers banging the dash will let you know ,,

Like my Daddy always told me cut 2 times & its still to short..R)
Maybe the PO had that problem..

 

You have to look close but this pic shows the stock shift rod on a t-18. It's about the same length as the t-14 that was originally in the Jeep.

 

Sorry for the wait... got new pics of the new shifter, not so bad looking... for me a little weird after having a cut down shifter. Haven't tried it yet because couldnt run it yet but will do.

Old PO cut-down shift lever




"New" normal lenght (or so I think so) shift lever

 

Now, can anybody tell me off what tranny that shifter came off?

 

A pic of mine. Factory '75 304/T-15 shifter.

 

So mine is definitely not from a T-15.... maybe a T-176??

 

the shift lever you have there is not stock but if it works for you so much the better. The T-15 stick had a bend towards the back in it as did the T-14. Your best bet is just to find a shifter top assembly used from a CJ T-15. Herm, R&P, I'm sure Partsmike, and several others could supply one as well as putting a wtb ad in the classifieds. No way of telling what that came from as it's just a cylindrical rod, probably welded on to replace the one you had. The "knob" is aftermarket as far as I can tell.

 

My '72 'CJ5 had the very short shift lever.
I always thought it was the one to be used with the 60/40 front seat option, which I did not have.
Mine was somewhat early production (Oct. '71)

 

I know the Knob is aftermarket (next up is buying one like the stock one). and thank you all for helping me. I'll me trying it tomorow when I'll bring it home. Right now I'm just thinking that I'll ride, to see how it comforts me. If not I'll cut it a little off the top or even find a stock t-15 lever...

Eventually I want that "stock but not so stock" look haha