DIY: 9-3SS Short shifter

[Dex4]

So I installed the genuine saab short shifter and was happy for a little while. As of late, the top of the shifter knob popped off, but before I glue back on I decided to check to see what it would take to make it shorter.

Found that if you do a little cut and paste, we can make it shorter, 1" shorter to be exact or more if you wish.

Items used:
Dremel with cutting discs
2000 grit sand paper
Lithium grease
Gorilla Glue
JB Weld
Round file or drill with drill bits
small zip ties and cutter
Painters tape (blue tape)
safety glasses

Start by taking off the shifter knob, or if you are in my situation it has already come off.


You will see a spring and a foam piece - remove them.

Remove shifter surround by prying up with you tips of your fingers by the key switch. Use both hands on opposite sides. It will pop off.



Once it is off, you can lift the whole thing off.

There should be a zip tie holding the leather on to shifter. Cut the zip tie and remove the leather from the reverse lock out lever.




After its removed. This is what it looks like.
Shifter:


The reverse lock out piece:


The white piece is clipped on to the black piece with two tabs, one on each side.


I wanted it shorter but not too short you can decide how much you want to take off.

This is about 1". Here is where we are going to cut. Shifter piece not steering wheel.


Another look taken apart and pieces that need to be cut.


Use dremel and cut off wheel or whatever you want to cut the plastic pieces. Using the dremel, it will melt the plastic so you have to go slow and slow speed.
This is what it looks like cut.


Next part is to glue the two pieces back together with gorilla glue or you can use a two part epoxy for plastics. Once glue is applied place on to the shifter so the center can line up. Hold for a minute or two, then pull of slowly and clamp or place on a shelf with a little weight on it to hold it together. Also make sure both pieces are facing the right way when glued. Don't put to much glue on, it will expand.



Next is to cut the shifter.
Measure 1" down from the top and mark. Use dremel with cut off wheel to cut metal shifter. When cutting use towels to protect your interior.



Cut and make sure the top is flat as can be.

Next is to cut the white center piece. measure down 1" from the top and cut the plastic only around the metal shifter.



Next is to get the shift knob ready. You will need to drill or file out the center grooves to fit over the shifter. If you are going to use a drill and drill bit, go with a drill bit that is smaller than the hole and work around the hole. Taking off the grooves on the side slowly. You will need to test fit to after taking off a little. You basicly want this to still fit tight on the shifter. Even if it is a little loose the JB weld will hold it firmly. Sorry no pic of this. Do not glue the shift knob on yet, once the hole is big enough to fit on shifter.

Once the reverse lock out piece is fully dried. Test. Remove any glue on the inside or on the plastic attached to the shifter, if affects the sliding motion. I used 2000 grit to sand down the center and the inside of the reverse lock out piece so everything fit and was easy to slide up and down. Put a little lithium grease on the white plastic on the shifter.

You can put the reverse lock out piece on and the shift knob with the spring and foam to make sure it retracts after lifting for reverse operation.

If it is good, you can zip tie the leather back on and cut off the excess zip tie. Zip tie it tight and make sure the leather and the surround line up.

Once leather and surround is back on over reverse lock out, place over the shifter, press shifter surround back down and lock in place. Install spring and foam back on top. Mix JB weld up, enough to put on the side and bottom of the shift knob hole. Do not put to much to where it is leaking out and try not to get any to stick to the spring. Press knob on and align. Tape knob down with painters tape. This will make sure it stays in place.



While it is drying, check operation of reverse lock out. If everything is working, let it dry for at least 6 to 8 hours.

Final product. Stock shifter 1" shorter.

[Eyedeas]

Nice DIY!

I like the new look of it also!