Self centre gear lever ideas

[speedysaab]

Just got around to fitting the shifter to my 99

It’s awesome but I could do with working out a couple of solutions

1. How to setup a self return to third/forth as my box obviously doesn’t have this internally
2. Some form of limits to restrict movement towards 1st and 2nd

Thanks for any suggestions! Oh and yes it is in the car not mounted to the bonnet
Rob

[99Super]

Rob,
The early 5-speed trannies had a sort of cam/roller/spring affair attached to the shift rod.
I think a single groove and detent ball for the 3-4 gears would work.
Looking at the photo, I'd cut a groove in the bottom of the rod seen above, then remove the base mounting plate, drill a hole in the base of the riser and place the ball and spring there to ride in the 3-4 groove.

John

[Crazyswede]

I was going to mention the spring loaded shift rods from the earlier cars but I couldn't remember if they were part of the stock shifter housing or located separately down the length of the shift rod.

[99Super]

Seth,
You are correct about both elements. Those early 5-speeds had a more-or-less square plastic guide mounted to the actual shift rod with two spring loaded 'cams' that mounted to the shifter housing. All this was hidden by carpet and the center console.

John