Gear shifter too far away? Look no further!

[l33th3tr33]

It comes up time and time again, "the clio is a great car but the shifter is too far away." Well I had the same problem. Don't get me wrong I'm no giant at 6ft but it ruins the car not having everything in reach and having to physically lean forward to select 1st, 3rd and 5th.

I had a brainwave today so popped round to my mates unit who's a welder and told him what I wanted to do, and 15 mins later I had this -

Now don't get me wrong, it's not the most beautiful creation but the way it feels makes up for that, plus the fact that now I know that it works. I'll be tidying this one up and giving it a lick of paint and next I'll be making one out of stainless.

It does add a bit of throw but it doesn't feel out of place. Selecting reverse is where it was from the start, but not a problem as you have to move to look around, check blind spots etc when reversing.

Thoughts?

 

[boom]

That looks terrible. Have you thought about dressing it up and painting it? Or trying to get something along the lines if a gaitor?

 

[McGherkin]

Isn't there a kit around that moves the stick back?

Also is there something stopping it from twisting?

 

[Chip-mk1]

Now when you move the lever you have to go MILES to get each gear though yeah?

Couple it with a short shift to get throw back to normal and it might be ok though I guess

 

[l33th3tr33]

That looks terrible. Have you thought about dressing it up and painting it? Or trying to get something along the lines if a gaitor?

If you actually took the time to read and not just look at the pictures you'd have read that I'll be tidying it up. Gaiter won't work as the lift reverse will be covered.

Isn't there a kit around that moves the stick back?

Also is there something stopping it from twisting?

I haven't seen any kits specifically for the clio, which is why I made this one. The bolt at the base is basically a 5mm grub screw and had no issues on the way home.

Now when you move the lever you have to go MILES to get each gear though yeah?

Couple it with a short shift to get throw back to normal and it might be ok though I guess

I wouldn't call it MILES but as said it doesn't feel out of place to me. Good shout on the short shift though, would the extension make it less violent on the syncros?(<was it even that?)

I think I could make it a little smaller both length and angle wise. See what V2 brings....

 

[McGherkin]

The extension makes the throw longer, short shift makes it shorter, cancelling each other out.

 

[Chip-mk1]

If you actually took the time to read and not just look at the pictures you'd have read that I'll be tidying it up. Gaiter won't work as the lift reverse will be covered.

You need to extend the lift reverse up to the know really, easier said than done when it has a dog leg, I dont know why you didnt just keep it straight and then adjust the linkage length under the car slightly to tip it back TBH.

I haven't seen any kits specifically for the clio, which is why I made this one. The bolt at the base is basically a 5mm grub screw and had no issues on the way home.

Pure do a proper one, complete with working reverse and correct throw.

I wouldn't call it MILES but as said it doesn't feel out of place to me. Good shout on the short shift though, would the extension make it less violent on the syncros?(<was it even that?)

I think I could make it a little smaller both length and angle wise. See what V2 brings....

Yes a quick shift makes it so you move the stick less distance, your mod does the opposite, so they might just cancel out if you are lucky, lol.



TBH cool idea though it is, I would just pay for the pure one that solves otherproblems like excess play in the linkage, although at 280 quid its quite steep.

 

[Gally]

Tbf anything would make that gearbox feel better.

 

[l33th3tr33]

You need to extend the lift reverse up to the know really, easier said than done when it has a dog leg, I dont know why you didnt just keep it straight and then adjust the linkage length under the car slightly to tip it back TBH.

Pure do a proper one, complete with working reverse and correct throw.

Yes a quick shift makes it so you move the stick less distance, your mod does the opposite, so they might just cancel out if you are lucky, lol.

TBH cool idea though it is, I would just pay for the pure one that solves otherproblems like excess play in the linkage, although at 280 quid its quite steep.

I didn't know you could adjust the linkage so I might have a go at that next, If that works then I won't be needing this.

As I said I didn't know anyone did one, I'll have a look into the pure one, but as you say it's a bit steep!

The gearbox isn't the best I've used either.

 

[Chip-mk1]

I didn't know you could adjust the linkage so I might have a go at that next, If that works then I won't be needing this.

Yeah you just need to slightly chop down the bar going forward and it tips the stick back slightly as a result (dont go too far or it will mess up where the lift reverse is at the side of the cage relative to the stick)

As I said I didn't know anyone did one, I'll have a look into the pure one, but as you say it's a bit steep!

Feels proper epic though, sits perfectly and has less play than these cars did when new in fact.

The gearbox isn't the best I've used either.

Box change in terms of feel is actually ok I reckon when on a decent linkage, although that doesnt stop the itnernals being weak as anything

 

[l33th3tr33]

I'll look into that then, is it just a linkage underneath the car? Do you know how much needs chopping?

I would love to have the pure setup but coming up to christmas it's a no go for a while, does it have any negative effect on the box with it having such weak internals?

 

[MG cup]

It look a bit agricultural for a road car but a finessed version could be okay.

As said, just chop the linkage down a bit, shorter shift pin and a straighter shorter version of what you have and that would be a nice budget upgrade.

This pic should help with what you should be chopping underneath. Lop of 15-20mm as it's still adjustable but that does allow the stick to come back to hand.

Cut made at pic bottom.

 

[l33th3tr33]

Thanks for the pic! Like I said I'll look into it as soon as I've got some time and hopefully get some decent results.

Certainly doesn't hurt trying out new things, got some decent criticism and a good plan for the future. Cheers guys.

 

[Derelict-UK]

how small are your arms lol? Or do you sit miles away with the seat down like a rude bwoy?

Never had a problem changing gear.

 

[Tony Hunter]

The 1st post pic, is making my eyes bleed, what have you done.

 

[l33th3tr33]

I do sit all the way back as that's the most comfortable position, and no I don't have trex arms. It's just an experiment, and it has had positive results for me personally, much nicer to drive. I was having to lean forward to reach 1st, 3rd and 5th which was a pain in the ass, but as chip has pointed out you can cut the linkage down, which I didn't know before.

 

[McGherkin]

Sitting further back improves the weight distribution

 

[Tony Hunter]

Should have done a search, plenty of discussion on here about moving the gearlever back.

 

[l33th3tr33]

Should have done a search, plenty of discussion on here about moving the gearlever back.

I haven't come across anything yet, probably not searching for the key words.

 

[JaredHasNoBrain]

That looks weird but cool...
I really don't like how forward the gearstick is and I sit pretty close to the wheel too, Big chest tiny arms see lol

 

[McGherkin]

Big chest tiny arms see lol

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

lol that looks mental.

I know the gearstick isn't exactly in touring car position, but unless, like someone said, you must be prone to not be able to reach the gearstick if you can still reach the wheel properly!

 

[l33th3tr33]

I've got a dished wheel and that brings it a bit closer, which is a perfect position for me, and now the gearstick is not far off perfect either.

I noticed this morning that the reach has increased quite a bit, which was obvious by looking at the pics but I think I was more excited by the fact I didn't have to lean forward all the time to change gear. I'm back round to my mates unit later so I'll chop it down a bit, and hopefully make it feel and look a bit better.

 

[Fantom]

Have a search for the yanoo fast road shifter. I've got one and it's made the world of difference. Its an extra long gearstick, with shorter shift pin, and then I cut some off the linkage as well so the stick is angled towards the driver.

Here's the link to yanoo's site
http://www.dp-automotive.hu/dpa_developments.html