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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

A "sticky" question..... all about gearsticks
Morning all,

I've just fitted a Raptor console to my 300Tdi dash. I have loads of pics of this and other stuff, just been too busy to update my 'rebuild' thread.

Anyway, because the console protrudes further into the cab than the original dash, there's now more limited clearance between it and the gearstick in 1st, 3rd and 5th. It's manageable - the stick isn't actually fouling the console - but I've had to mount it in the straight/middle position to achieve this, rather than angled towards the driver and this means I'm having to adapt my 'muscle memory' of where all the gears are..... crunch, crunch... I suppose if I'd bought the car like this, I wouldn't think too much about it, but I'm used to having the stick angled towards me, and having a bit more 'wiggle' room.

I should say at this point that this isn't a criticism of the Raptor console at all. I like it a lot, really solid, and lots of room for wiring in behind. Also the guys at Raptor specifically say that this can sometimes be an isssue and suggest that the gear lever could be bent using heat.

So... eventually to my questions.... has anyone done this? How much heat was needed (butane canister blowtorch, or full-on welding torch?) and what's the big 'crimped' thing which joins the splined section and the steel stick? It looks like there's rubber in there? Likely to get damaged by the heat? Are there any alternative Defender sticks which would achieve the same??

Slightly 'left field' question ( as many of mine tend to be! ) but hoping the combined wisdom will throw up some info.

Ta Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #777669 16th Jun 2019 8:10am
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Balvaig



Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 719

Scotland 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
If you have a metal working company local to you they may be able to bend it cold with a large pipe bending machine.
Post #777675 16th Jun 2019 8:41am
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Grouse



Member Since: 16 Apr 2012
Location: on the hill
Posts: 512

Fit a slick shift - this reduces travel, but you should be able to keep your original stick angle
Post #777676 16th Jun 2019 8:45am
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2062

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
Don, no need for heat or bending Shocked
If you lift the gearstick gaiter, you will see that the bottom of the gearstick is offset and bolted to a splined shaft. Remove the nut and rotate the stick on the splined shaft to reposition the stick. I'm pretty sure you can find a position that suits without resorting to more drastic measures.
So there you go, that's 15 minutes of your morning occupied Very Happy
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #777681 16th Jun 2019 9:22am
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

thanks gents,

There's already a slick shift on it Shocked I can only assume it would be worse otherwise.

I know we have a 'sheet metal' company in town. I've used them in the past - but it is possible they would have a pipe bender too. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #777682 16th Jun 2019 9:23am
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

[quote="Mo Murphy"]Don, no need for heat or bending Shocked
If you lift the gearstick gaiter, you will see that the bottom of the gearstick is offset and bolted to a splined shaft. Remove the nut and rotate the stick on the splined shaft to reposition the stick. I'm pretty sure you can find a position that suits without resorting to more drastic measures.
So there you go, that's 15 minutes of your morning occupied Very Happy
HTH
Mo[/quote

Hi Mo - thanks to you too! Been there done that - that's what I meant about the stick having to be fitted 'straight' on the splines rather than angled. I've exhausted all of those options so pretty sure 'drastic action' is needed! Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #777683 16th Jun 2019 9:26am
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2062

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
I'll get me coat then ...... Laughing
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #777703 16th Jun 2019 10:59am
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Litch



Member Since: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 758

England 
I suffered with this a bit when I fitted my Raptor console.

It wasn't so much that there was a lack of space between the stick & console but between the stick & undertray, so much so that I decided to remove the undertray which eliminated the issue completely.
Later, missing the useful storage space provided by the undertray I did consider bending the stick (moving it on the splines was not the answer) but in the end came up with a simple and far more satisfactory solution. Very Happy

Without undertray.



Click image to enlarge





Modified gear selection with undertray.



Click image to enlarge




Whistle ONE LIFE, GET IT!
Post #777704 16th Jun 2019 11:16am
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Hi Litch - that is 'radical action'!! No plans to go that far!

I did buy the undertray but there's just no way that's going to work.

On the plus side - when I reassembled things yesterday I was thinking it was a bit neat. Now that I've been using it a bit more - running around town at the moment - I'm finding it's not really much of an issue.

I'd still like to tweak it - but not urgent at all.

Mo - hope I didn't cause offence!? Not intended.

Does anyone know what that "thing" in between the two halves of the gearstick is? Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #777708 16th Jun 2019 11:57am
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Posted in the wrong thread Embarassed For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #777710 16th Jun 2019 12:31pm
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Litch



Member Since: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 758

England 
"Does anyone know what that "thing" in between the two halves of the gearstick is?"

Don't have a gearstick to look at anymore but I think you may be referring to a rubber sleeve which I guess was to provide isolation from vibration? If applying heat to bend the stick don't do it too close otherwise the rubber could melt! ONE LIFE, GET IT!
Post #777734 16th Jun 2019 3:52pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
I always thought the rubber sleeve was there to stop grit and dirt getting onto the ball. It is a Censored to get off and put back again unless you have very strong fingers. The foam pad is for soundproofing and I am always amazed how that little pad reduces gear noise, try driving without it fitted and you will know what I mean.. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #777746 16th Jun 2019 5:40pm
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Litch



Member Since: 10 Mar 2013
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 758

England 
"I always thought the rubber sleeve was there to stop grit and dirt getting onto the ball."

Think you may be referring to the gaiter?

Dug out this old photo from when I was selling my R380 and photographed the various parts, I believe he is referring to the lump at the bottom of the stick (above the splined mounting) and that is definitely a rubber bush / sleeve.



Click image to enlarge
 ONE LIFE, GET IT!
Post #777749 16th Jun 2019 6:36pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 06 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Gilarion - you are 100% correct about the little foam pad cutting out noise. I have gone without it for periods while tinkering with the bias springs. Amazing what it stops.

Litch - you're correct, that's the thing i'm referring to. I assume it's there as 'ballast' to stop vibrations, or.....? Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #777754 16th Jun 2019 7:18pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Quote:
I always thought the rubber sleeve was there to stop grit and dirt getting onto the ball."

Think you may be referring to the gaiter?





No, I was referring to the rubber grommet part number FRC7160 that fits over the gear turret.


 For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #777800 17th Jun 2019 9:01am
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