Shifter install ??'s

[DMan]

Shifter install ??\'s

Quick questions on shifter install on my 03 SRT.

I took the console off, etc & see the boot fastner issue, I guess these are the rivets I see discussed when I search for shifter install info.

For those that drill these out, do folks put the boot back on somehow? If so, what do you use to re-secure the boot back?

I was also wondering, is there reason I can't just take a razor and cut the boot around the edge & then use a rubber cement to reseal the boot back?

BTW, I got the SVS shifter .. but it comes with now instructions for install.

Thanks for any help!

Dave.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Dave,

You do not have to install the shifter from the top. It is faster and easier from the bottom. Call me at 203-641-8569 and I will explain everything to you.

Robbie

 

[zorroespanol]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

You use the plastic rivets that come with the kit... I did mine a while ago so I forgot the details of what came with it. I also put silicone gasket maker to make sure no noise or hot air would come in.

Dave, don't rig it... it will be close to imposible to glue that thing together, and believe me YOU NEED that boot.

Do it right, or have a pro do it for you.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Dave, I am lost here. Did you buy a Mopar/Hurst shifter? If so it should have come with plastic anchors with nail heads that replace the rivets you drill out if you do the job from the top. It should also come with 2 plastic plugs. I have an extra hardware kit from a shifter I installed last week. I installed it on my lift from under the car. If you have access to a lift it is a lot faster to do it from under the car as you do not have to drill out the rivets. If you need the kit you can have it for free and I can also fax or mail you the directions that comes with the shifter if you do not have a copy. Like I said before call me anytime, even this evening, and I will walk you thru it.

Robbie

 

[Hiss]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

You would think SVS would include instructions. Former 00 did you receive a kit with shifter.

I wanted the SVS but it was going to take couple of months to get one so we got the mopar hurst from Robbie.

Nice of Robbie to help you.

I will add this-we tried with out a lift, gave it up and did the install from top.

Like Zorro said-do it right or get someone with the know how to do it for you.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Thanks Gene, Hiss. Gene is quite correct in that it would be next to impossible to install from under the car without a lift. Dave if you need the install kit then it is yours. It will work fine with the SVS unit and I will also include a set of directions.

Robbie

 

[DMan]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

The SVS shifter came with only the shifter and one shifter handle bolt - I'd think it would come with some instructions, and I thought it came with both shift bolts, a 1 inch & 2 inch shorter, looks like it only came with the 1 inch shorter. I haven't contacted them yet, it showed up today & I just went to survey the situation under the console .. seeing the rivets was a bummer & so I got online & searched & posted.

Thanks for the replies, I'll call my Viper tech, he's at the local Dodge dealer & used to work for Jason Heffner when he was in MD, and I'll see what they'll charge to do it right. I have a great jack & stands, but no lift, argh.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Sounds good. You will never do it on jack stands. If you can you will never stand up or walk again. Hell my back hurts just thinking about it.

 

[DMan]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

LOL. Thanks, man, I really appreciate the advice & offer.

I'm a real DIYer, I gotta **** up the ego and make the call - I'll make the appointment tomorrow, can't wait to feel the shift improvement, I'll post with results.

Thanks again!!

 

[Hiss]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Not for sure but you may need the 2" bolt. I would contact svs about this.

What shift knob do you plan on using.

 

[DMan]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

I have an MGW on the way.

 

[Hiss]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Excellent choice I use the mgw first strike knob to get a bit more leverage than I had with the hurst round knob.

I remember reading in the svs sight that a viper owner installed the svs shifter and he put on the mgw knob ,and to get a little more leverage he suggested the 2" bolt.

You will really like the difference the short throw shifter makes. Mine kinda clicks into the gears. Thanks to Robbie for this because he took the hurst shifter and blueprinted and re tuned it for me.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Dave,

I recently installed the SVS shifter on my Gen II last weekend from the bottom using jackstands. Not easy at ALL but no lift access and it looked like I could do it. Air tools would have helped a lot but I managed with a ratchet and a box end wrench.

I started out trying to do it from the top but those 8 brass rivets got the best of me. If you do drill them out I would imagine that you could buy or borrow a pop rivet gun and replace them easily enough. A pop rivet tool runs about $17 at Home Depot.

Like you, I only received the one-inch shaft reducer and not the two-inch that is mentioned on their website. Ron at SVS says they are currently out of stock and they will send me one when it comes in. I have the one-inch installed and I think I'd like the two-inch better. You do not have to remove the entire shifter to switch shafts.

You are correct in that the SVS does not come with any instructions. The illustrated how-to here on the VCA website helps out but I think it was written for a Gen I. One thing that you want to do that wasn't written down anywhere is to be sure and grease the ball on the shifter before installing so you don't have bare metal to metal contact. Also, shift into neutral before removing the old shifter.

If you have any questions about the install, just ask. I've probably gone through the exact same problems that you're liable to run into and I've either cursed my way through it or found a different way to do it.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Regarding RoadJeff's comments above he is quite correct that it can be done on jack stands, Ouch. If you lower the transmission at the trany mounts, 4 side bolts, it gains you a lot of room. On a lift I use gear box wrenches. Also the rivets can be replace with what ia called a 3/16" x 1" nail-in plastic masonary anchor. they are included in the Mopar/hurst kit. You can buy then for a few dollars at Home Depot or Lowes and save the expense of a revit gun.

 

[Hiss]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Roadijeff--Interested in how the SVS is performing-I am sure former 00 would like to hear a report also.

 

[DMan]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

I actually have the car on stands right now, I'm ceramic painting the calipers red, the 03 calipers are pretty yuk from the factory. One side done & they look ****.

I've done an H pipe on stands before .. when I was younger, I don't know if I could stay under that thing now with it that close to my chest. I'm just waiting for the MGW to come & then schedule it for the shop.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Mine is still up on the stands too. While waiting for some various parts to arrive I came up with a list of 25 things to do to the car while the wheels were off and it was up on jackstands.

Crawling around on the garage floor in a pair of coveralls was actually sort of fun. I hadn't seen the underside of the car in detail like that.

It's been about three weeks since I last drove it and I'm getting anxious to get back on the road. My differential drain plug and tap should arrive tomorrow and then I'll be close to being finished. The SVS shifts great just running through the gears in the garage.

Have you contacted Ron Jr at SVS about the 2-inch shorter shaft yet?

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Quote: "I've done an H pipe on stands before .. when I was younger, I don't know if I could stay under that thing now with it that close to my chest"
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YOUNG is the key word here!

 

[DMan]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Yea .. about 18 months I ago I was doing an oil change on my Mustang Cobra, it's slammed so I gotta jack it up to get to the drain. I got down & hopped under & by devine intervention I decided to grab the jack stand, just stuck it in there. As I'm taking the bolt out the car just PLUNKED on the jack stand, the jack totally failed. I was freaked .. my chest woulda cracked like a walnut. So I'm real skiddish about it now .. older & wiser.

 

[EllowViper]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Even on jack stands I'm a bit skiddish about crawling around underneath...you just never know for sure!!! I keep my kids away as well since they think it some big joy for me to be underneath and they want to join in on the excitement; ergo my order for the 4-post lift!!

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

I have had jack stands slip out of place when racing in the pits. I do not trust any jack or jack stand any more. A quality USA made lift is the only safe way to go.

 

[RoadiJeff]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

The first time I put the Viper up on 4 jackstands was when I did the shifter install the other week. I noticed that with the stiff suspension the entire front end raised although I was using the floor jack on the opposite side. I would think that if one of the 4 stands slipped the other 3 would hold it at nearly the same level. Besides, if you have the stands positioned properly there's not much chance of that happening anyway.

OTOH, I've seen pics of lifts that have failed. I would not want to be under one when 3,400 lbs came suddenly crashing down on me.

 

[Racer Robbie]

Re: Shifter install ??\'s

Quote: "OTOH, I've seen pics of lifts that have failed. I would not want to be under one when 3,400 lbs came suddenly crashing down on me. "
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I totally agree with you that junk lifts from China are downright dangerous. As far as Jack Stands are concerned I have pulled light weight cars right off jack stands when using a breaker bar to do repairs. I used to have a Rotary 4 Post Drive On Lift, China made, break a front cable two times on me and the saftey slipped past the first knotch and caught the second one. Thhis scared the s--t out of me to the point that I sold the lift and bought a Bend-Pak Lift that is made in the USA. I show Bend-Pak lifts on my web site so everyone here can see what a quality USA made lift should look like. All the parts are made here in the USA as are the ones made by Mohawk. I make nothing on them and am interested in everyones safety after having my China made lift fail on me two times and damn near kill me. These are hunderds of lift companies out there that say they sell USA products but the truthy is they are really made in China. There are only 2 lift manufactures that I know of that are USA made and they are Bend-pak and Mohawk.Mant companies say they are USA made but in truth the parts are made in China, shipped to the USA, and are them assembled here. This way they can say made in the USA.
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Here are their web sites:

http://www.bendpak.com/ ( Ranger lifts are made in China )

This is the Bend-Pak lift we use in our shop, Part SP-7X.
It is perfect for a Viper and you can stand under it.

http://www.bendpak.com/product_info.isg?products_id=757

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Here is the web site for Mohawk:

http://www.mohawklifts.com/