Topic: What do you guys think about our new Short Throw Shift Base?

[bryanrz]

checking is for a w56a version

[BigMike [OP]]

checking is for a w56a version

We have made some progress and I'll try to report with more info after the Round Up

[TurboMurf]

Just installed the short shifter on my 1986 22R-TEC 4x4 and for some reason it's hitting the transfer shifter when shifting into 2nd gear.  Is my Transfer Case shifter on backwards? It's leaning towards the left/driver's side.

[BigMike [OP]]

TurboMurf,

Do you still have your original stock shift handle? If so, can you compare the bends of the one we sent you with your original one? The reason why I am asking is because we have a lot of stock Toyota handles organized by application. These handles are modified for use with our short throw base and are sent out in exchange for our customer's original handles (aka returned cores). We've sold a lot of these kits and have yet to get the application wrong but mistakes can happen so I would like to know how the bends compare.

It is possible for a transfer case handle to be installed 180-degrees off, but removing the t/case handle is not required to install this short throw kit. Further, it's possible that your transfer case handle is from a different application as well as your transmission handle as Toyota made many differently shaped handles based on cab design (1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen) and accommodations (bend seat or bucket seats, fuel injected or carbureted drivetrain).

Please let us know, thanks!
Mike

[TurboMurf]

TurboMurf,

Do you still have your original stock shift handle? If so, can you compare the bends of the one we sent you with your original one? The reason why I am asking is because we have a lot of stock Toyota handles organized by application. These handles are modified for use with our short throw base and are sent out in exchange for our customer's original handles (aka returned cores). We've sold a lot of these kits and have yet to get the application wrong but mistakes can happen so I would like to know how the bends compare.

It is possible for a transfer case handle to be installed 180-degrees off, but removing the t/case handle is not required to install this short throw kit. Further, it's possible that your transfer case handle is from a different application as well as your transmission handle as Toyota made many differently shaped handles based on cab design (1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen) and accommodations (bend seat or bucket seats, fuel injected or carbureted drivetrain).

Please let us know, thanks!
Mike

Thanks Mike!  I'll compare the two shifter handles when I get home tonight.  I was so excited to install it that I didn't compare the two.  Typically, on a turbo regular cab with a bench seat, does the transfer shifter lean to the passenger or driver's side?  My friend's 22RE's transfer shifter leans to the passenger's side, while mine leans to the driver's side.  I will say that the shifter made a night and day difference with the feel of the transmission and I love it, I'm just hoping I don't need to purchase anything further to make it work properly.

[BigMike [OP]]

Cool, let us know thanks! And glad ya like our kit!

...as Toyota made many differently shaped handles based on cab design (1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen) and accommodations (bench seat or bucket seats, fuel injected or carbureted drivetrain)...

I meant to type 'bench', not 'bend'.

Regards,
BigMike

[bryanrz]

I can't wait to be able to put one of these in my 56b

[BigMike [OP]]

We are a step closer with more design progress finished but nothing physical to take photos of yet. I'll be keeping this updated!

[Backwood]

I love it

[New83]

i see a blue and white 79 to 83.  do you have one in that pretty rig?  i didn't know you made one for those years.

[BigMike [OP]]

i see a blue and white 79 to 83.  do you have one in that pretty rig?  i didn't know you made one for those years.

Hello New83,

Yesiree we make short throws for 1980-83 L45/L50/L52 transmission models!

If you are referring to the truck in my avatar then yes I have our short throw kit however there are a few things to mention:
1) As mentioned we do make a short throw kit for the L45/L50/L52 transmission that was original to my 1981 Hilux (L50).
2) I swapped in a W56-A from a 1985 fuel injected truck and no longer have the L50.
3) I have our old version W56-A/B short throw installed (we used to make this back in 2000~2010).

Take a look at this thread: http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=72228

Here is the short throw kit we have in stock right now for your L-series transmission. It's currently not listed on our website so please give us a call for more info!


Regards,
BigMike

[bryanrz]

Any word on w56b?

[BigMike [OP]]

Rapid prototype approved last week (ignore the incorrect shifter in this picture), should have our first actual samples done soon!!

Key feature: We've included the spacing of the very hard to find and very leak-prone thick factory rubber gasket with those six spacers/washers into the base so all you'll need is simple silicone instead. This one piece short throw base will replace 8 factory leak-prone pieces.

It's gonna be awesome!

[bryanrz]

Rapid prototype approved last week (ignore the incorrect shifter in this picture), should have our first actual samples done soon!!

Key feature: We've included the spacing of the very hard to find and very leak-prone thick factory rubber gasket with those six spacers/washers into the base so all you'll need is simple silicone instead. This one piece short throw base will replace 8 factory leak-prone pieces.

It's gonna be awesome!

thank you very much for the update! It's been a long time coming but it's going to be well worth the wait! Good call on ditching that gasket never would of thought of that.

[BigMike [OP]]

[emsvitil]

How hard is 'clutchless' shifting with the shorter throw?

[BigMike [OP]]

How hard is 'clutchless' shifting with the shorter throw?

I do it in my truck with our old two piece type W56-A short throw kit and it is just as easy as a stock setup. Especially between 3rd and 4th. If anything it is easier now because we are moving the shift fork at a faster rate, but of course it does require slightly more pressure on the shift lever to get things moving.

I really like the sporty feel of the short throw

[garlicgabe]

Put me on the list for one please!!   

[bryanrz]

The wait is almost over!

[NMTOY]

My truck is an 88 excab, 3.0, small lift, 33x10.5 tires and Marlin HD clutch. I got my short throw shifter today. The install was very fast and easy, maybe 25 minutes including the console. 

The difference in shifting is like night and day. I Have a Mustang with a Steeda Triax shifter and this one feels just like it, very tight and positive.

The best part is that my in laws gave me a bunch of Marlin gift cards for Christmas and that covered the cost of the shifter.

If you love driving your Toyota you need one...

[BigMike [OP]]

If you love driving your Toyota you need one...

Thanks for the great review NMTOY, I just added it to our website! Oh and Happy Birthday too!

Regards,
BigMike

[BigMike [OP]]

Uh ohhh!! 1985-1988 W56 Kits are here!!

Click for more info: http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=96128

[Wainiha]

I am trying to convince my friend to buy this Marlin short shifter over LCEs short throw.  He is looking at cost, but I'm trying.

I've read all the info here.  What else can convince him Marlin is better? 

Remember we're in Hawaii.  Core charges may cost us too much in return shippng for any savings.  LCE is half the cost for a kit but I want him to get Marlin.  I would get one if I could.

Big Mike, help me turn my friend on to Marlin Crawler and see the light.

....No BOGO sales?....Haha JK

[BigMike [OP]]

I am trying to convince my friend to buy this Marlin short shifter over LCEs short throw.  He is looking at cost, but I'm trying.

I've read all the info here.  What else can convince him Marlin is better?

Hey Wainiha, thanks for the question. I think in the end it will come down to personal preference, but I'd like to answer your question to set aside some important differences. The main reason why one would consider our kit over the LC, TRD, and other kits is that our kit is the first of it's kind to have serviceable shift pins. All other options ignore this hugely important issue. Please consider the following...



The above shows a used stock shift base where both pins are worn. The stock pins are pressed and then hydraulically swaged into place and are non-serviceable; Toyota does not sell replacement pins. The upper pin shown is not only worn out but if you look at it's fit into the base, the press-fit has worn off and the pin has been rattling and pounding itself into the soft cast aluminum back-and-forth with every gear shift resulting in a sloppy shifter that can never be remedied even with our HD Seat and Socket.

Additionally, the lower pin is worn on its front and rear leading edges, which results in additional shift handle play/slop.

Below is a front view of the lower pin. You can see how it has an oval egg shape as a result of wear from many gear shifts. Also note how it's press-fit is not all messed up like the pin above, but eventually the hard steel pin will deform the soft cast aluminum and the press fit will be long lost.



The great thing about our Short Throw kits is that they replace the entire cast aluminum base with a new one-piece stronger billet aluminum base. Because we are using higher strength billet aluminum, we can use higher strength threaded pins that will far outlast the stock press-fit pins, and you can replace them at any time if ever needed.

The LC kit simply insert a 1" thick piece of aluminum between your stock used base and the transmission, something we would call a short throw "spacer". This is a direct copy of our old short throw kits (take a look here at pictures of our old kits). We have sold short throw "spacers" since the late 1990s, but due to the age of these transmissions, we decided it was time to manufacture completely new one-piece bases to replace the worn out parts that exist today. The issue is severe enough that it also affects our rebuilt transmissions as we have to set aside good used bases for every rebuilt transmission, something the common transmission rebuilder overlooks. Some rebuild shops don't even include a shift base because they don't want to mess around in sourcing good used bases, passing the burden to the customer to find a good used base. It seems trivial but supplying good used bases can make or break a rebuilt transmission, and Marlin has been taking the time to find and save good used bases since the 80s.

To summarize, the comparison is that even if the LC Engineering kit claims to be a short throw kit, it is severely limited if combined with a worn out stock shifter base. Using their kit with a worn out base may only yield a ~20% reduction in throw, and you'd have a sloppy shift handle. What's worse is that a short throw kit puts a larger load on the pins! So if your stock pins are only slightly worn now, once you install the LC kit you will accelerate their wear and eventually have poor shifting performance!

Another benefit of our kit which I believe is critical, is that we tig-weld the extension onto the end of the shift handle rather than bolting it on like the LC kit does. Unfortunately, this is where our core charge comes into play, however the reason for it may surprise you. I believe this is a critical difference because if LC's set screw vibrates loose from their extension piece, you can say goodbye to your transmission So by using a "bolt-on" kit like LC's, you are putting your transmission at risk. Before you think this is an extreme comparison or I'm exaggerating, consider the bold red warning text from the last page of LC's own instructions:

"If you fail to install the set screws correctly they can fall into the transmission and cause major damage. LC Engineering will not be responsible for damage due to incorrect installation!!! As the installer you take responsibility for the proper installation of this product." -LC Engineering Installer Step 12(f) (source)

There is no such thing as an incorrect installation of a Marlin Crawler Short Throw Kit, and there is nothing that can fall inside and cause major damage to your transmission. Period.

Remember we're in Hawaii.  Core charges may cost us too much in return shippng for any savings.

The shipping from Hawaii does put a damper on the deal. You can send us your shift handle ahead of time to defer the core charge, but this isn't necessary with the LC kit. I guess the question is would you rather spend $20 to ship your handle to us, or have accelerated shift pin wear and the fear of some set screw falling into your transmission sometime down the road? If I'm 500 miles from home and 10,000 feet up in the mountains, believe you me this is the last thing I want to worry about.

Lastly, if you are considering a W56A/B kit, keep in mind that our kit replaces 8 used leak-prone parts while the LC kit makes it worse by adding two more leak-prone parts (their spacer and an extra gasket). So with the LC kit, there are now 10 parts involved that must be properly sealed as apposed to simply our one piece billet shift base.

Regards,
BigMike

[Wainiha]

Thank you BigMike.  I'll get this passed along to my friend.

[Wainiha]

Called, and read your response to my friend Mike.

Kyle will call after the weekend.  He's sold on the MC short throw as the best idea.

Thank you, Blake.

[BigMike [OP]]

Sounds great my friend and thank you for passing this along I am certain he will not be disappointed!

Regards,
BigMike

[Nation]

I like mine more and more

[victorcray]

I must say that is amazing, i can only wish to have one like this.

[Wainiha]

Ordering me one right now.  Big Mike said shipping is free to Kauai...