Topic: Looking for short shifter

[nlualum82]

I had some questions some time back about putting a Toyota drivetrain in my '36 Chevy rat rod pickup. That's done now.
The truck rides on an '82 Toyota pickup chassis and now has a 22r and 3.07 reared from an '85 base model, plus a 2WD W56 5-speed from an '86 1 ton.
   It's a little like driving an old English sports car, takes more attention but is more fun than the sbc/auto that was in it the last 12 years.
     The shifter ended up further forward than I originally thought it would and I have to reach a lot. I am wondering if the Marlin-Crawler short shifter for the 4WD will fit right on my transmission.
     Other companies make short shift kits for 2WD W series transmissions but they all list every W except the 56. Does the same assembly that fits the 55, 57, 58, and 59 fit my 56?
     I've got an exterior and an interior photo of my truck I'd like to post but can't find that option.

[emsvitil]

What about bending the shifter or offsetting the shifter arm

[nlualum82 [OP]]

That will bring it closer. I will probably have to bend any shifter I put on it, but it will not shorten the throw. By the time I got 5th within a comfortable reach I would be hitting my seat in 2nd,

[300k]

the W56-B and W56-A share the same part number, and I really don't think the short throw changes much besides the top plate. Just call Marlin tomorrow and ask...it might take like 6 tries to get through but keep calling

[emsvitil]

Have the arm curve around the seat at the bottom..........

 

[nlualum82 [OP]]

 I'm trying to figure out how to move my shifter arm. I mainly don't want something that will be weak or brittle and snap off.
My shifter is not very tall and sticks straight up. It would be good if I could heat the more slender part at the base without removing it so I could put it exactly where I want it. I suppose that could cause damage to the base and I don't know how strong it would be afterward.
    I have considered grinding the thicker part so that it has 2 flat sides about 2" long so that I could fab a shifter from flat stock and easily replace it with 2 bolts, kind of like a typical Hurst.
Any advice?

[redneckcustoms13]

There are tons of guys out there that have heated and bent the stock Toyota shifters after doing a body lift. Do not do it while it's installed you'll melt the shift seat and the plastic bushing on the bottom of it.

[T-Revv]

nlualum82 the 4wd and 2wd W56 have different shifter bases, so the Marlin short throw wont work for you.  You would have to either make a short throw or heat and bend your shift handle. 

[nlualum82 [OP]]

I ended up getting “the Cube” from Australia. Marlin Crawler was helpful, but their W56 short shifter was strictly for 4WD.
     It turns out that a 2WD W56 is  a 2WD W55 with W56 gears and the shifters made for the old Supras are a perfect fit.
    I made my own rat rod shift arm, tall as the steering wheel with a brass armadillo for a shift knob. The super long shift arm would not have been possible without the short throw base.