I was a little energetic last night. So I stayed late at work to see what I could come up with as far as a car part that I could make. I came up with a billet pistol grip shifter. Easy enough, right?

Remember I am not a machinist by trade. I can use precision measurement if I want to. I didn't feel like it this time. So I eyeballed everything except the slot in the bottom but even that wasn't measured for center. I just made sure the stick would be a tight fit.

I had my camera in my coat pocket so I snapped pics along the way.


The final shape. The reverse side has a relief for my thumb.


The finished product has a brushed finish. I kind of wish I left the mill marks in it. I like the raw look but the edges are way too sharp.


The stick isn't finalized yet. I will need to have the seats in the car along with the trans, console and everything. It will also be machined aluiminum. The holes are for counter sunk stainless screws.

 

the new wheels and tires look great! what BS did you go with on the rear again?
I can't wait til i get my 17x11's with 315's on the rear. i'm thinking of going with 5.75" BS.
you can also rent the fender roller online. look on Craigslist locally too. i rented one locally to roll my fender lips.

 

I like the hood , I was looking at it in summit yesterday. I'll be interested to see fit, and if wipers work. I'm wanting one of these hoods.

 

The wheels are 5.75" bs. Measure it up for sure Jason. I still think a 6" would be better after a mini tub. Actually after a tub job a 6.5" BS would be perfect without rolling the lip and still tucking them under.

As for the hood. I'm under no illusion the wipers will work. Most people with stock bushings are having problem. My front sheet metal is dropped 1/2" with PTFB bushings. I won't be happy until this thing sit on pavement and doesn't rub a bit.

 

Your sheet metal is dropped?? You still need to align at the doors? That shouldn't affect wipers,or am I missing something? Is the hood steel?

 

It's more like the subframe is raised 1/2", not the front sheetmetal dropped. The whole car is 1/2" lower in front wwith the thinner bushings.

I like the shifter, but I'd mill the finger grooves a lot deeper, just to look cool!

 

I understand the bushings. This affects the wipers,how?
I need a vert mill!

 

the only problem is that my rear isn't centered..so not sure how to work that quite yet but am also thinking of going with 5.75" or 6" and using a small spacer to fine tune the fit.

 

If my rear axle wasn't centered I'd chop the perches off and weld them back on centered.

 

that's a good idea. maybe i will have that done when i rebuild the rear end