Un-Jaguar-like gearshift
#1
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Un-Jaguar-like gearshift
Has anyone ever modified their gearshift for a less flimsy, smoother, more precise operation?
On my past and present Series IIIs and my XJS as well, I've never been very happy with the gearshift. They feel more like they belong on an el-cheapo car rather than a Jag. It just isn't a smooth, precise feel, IMO....particularly when manually upshifting or downshifting thru the forward gears.
Thoughts? Experiences? Improvements?
Cheers and thanks
DD
On my past and present Series IIIs and my XJS as well, I've never been very happy with the gearshift. They feel more like they belong on an el-cheapo car rather than a Jag. It just isn't a smooth, precise feel, IMO....particularly when manually upshifting or downshifting thru the forward gears.
Thoughts? Experiences? Improvements?
Cheers and thanks
DD
#2
#3
Yes I have mulling this over for a while now, especially since the 4L60e conversion. I have a manual mode for bump shifting and I don't want paddles.
I have not yet come up with anything apart from replacing the shifter with a B&M and I also don't want this either.
I have seen an XJS with an XJ40 shifter installed.
I have not yet come up with anything apart from replacing the shifter with a B&M and I also don't want this either.
I have seen an XJS with an XJ40 shifter installed.
#4
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Physical movement of the lever.
I've looked at aftermarket offerings and, so far, have found only hot rod/street rod styles which don't appeal to me...but will keep looking.
Thanks for the reply.
Cheers
DD
I've looked at aftermarket offerings and, so far, have found only hot rod/street rod styles which don't appeal to me...but will keep looking.
Thanks for the reply.
Cheers
DD
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#6
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ronbros (08-14-2017)
#7
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Doug (08-14-2017)
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#8
I feel that any change of the look of the lever will spoil the classic interior of the car. The movement of the lever, I agree, is a bit clunky; but that is, I believe, down to the nature of the physical "bumps" the lever has to be moved round. Without that piece, or with a better one, the lever moves nicely. Even if not nicely enough, the fulcrums can easily be improved with small bearings etc etc, and even the hidden part of the lever modified to move through the bumps better.
It would be a nice winter project to take a spare shifter and remove the bit of metal that controls the "bumps", and make something that controls the lever movement more smoothly, or with more definite stops, or both, as you prefer.
I just feel a J gate would be like a plastic surround on a antique piece of furniture. Please refer to Exhibit One below, Your Honour, and I rest my case.
Last edited by Greg in France; 08-14-2017 at 03:25 AM.
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Doug (08-14-2017)
#9
I got that sorted on mine way back in 1994.
I simply wanted to change the gearknob, so I snatched a spare "chrome bit" from a wreckers. Might have been a S2 6cyl, dunno, I basically looked at it as I usually do.
"If it quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, its probably a duck"
I cut the top off, welded a bolt in place and then fitted that chrome bit into the XJS mechanism.
Only then did I realise the shifting from D to P was a simple one slide movement. OOPS, but I liked it, as the Doug notchy really was driving me nuts. I then went the other way from D, and that was also a single movement.
WHAT HAVE I DONE.
NO bloody idea, and all I could think of back then was that the "new" chrome had a pin missing???. and that is all I can think of. I did not (as best I remember) touch the notched plate.
I simply wanted to change the gearknob, so I snatched a spare "chrome bit" from a wreckers. Might have been a S2 6cyl, dunno, I basically looked at it as I usually do.
"If it quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, its probably a duck"
I cut the top off, welded a bolt in place and then fitted that chrome bit into the XJS mechanism.
Only then did I realise the shifting from D to P was a simple one slide movement. OOPS, but I liked it, as the Doug notchy really was driving me nuts. I then went the other way from D, and that was also a single movement.
WHAT HAVE I DONE.
NO bloody idea, and all I could think of back then was that the "new" chrome had a pin missing???. and that is all I can think of. I did not (as best I remember) touch the notched plate.
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Doug (08-14-2017)
#10
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#12
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Thanks, everyone, for the input.
I prefer the look of the original shifter as well but retro-fitting a J-gate from another Jaguar doesn't seem all that heathen-like, either, IMO.
I think the best course of action would be modifying the original....possibly using a spare, as mentioned. I've never closely examined the mechanism; it might well be easier to modify it than work out a retro-fit.
I'll add this to my project list and let everyone know how things work out. It might be a few weeks
Cheers
DD
I prefer the look of the original shifter as well but retro-fitting a J-gate from another Jaguar doesn't seem all that heathen-like, either, IMO.
I think the best course of action would be modifying the original....possibly using a spare, as mentioned. I've never closely examined the mechanism; it might well be easier to modify it than work out a retro-fit.
I'll add this to my project list and let everyone know how things work out. It might be a few weeks
Cheers
DD
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#13
#14
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Doug:
I think I know of what you speak. Not the shifts of the transmission, but the "notchiness" of the shift lever. I've noted it be much less so in my venerable old Jeep. But, I just live with it. No big deal to me.
But, I see your view.
I think Greg was as close to my thinking as anyone. So, if you have a spare, "monkey" with it. Clean up the design. And, as I think as a past lister did, remove the notch that requires a side movement to go from "notch" to notch.
Gun smiths do something like that. The famed 1911 45 as issued is rough and tough. So, they smoothen the parts that slide and cam.
In the case at hand, perhaps, merely lube would go along way. If any were applied decades ago, it is gone or congealed and does no good and more likely harm.
Carl
I think I know of what you speak. Not the shifts of the transmission, but the "notchiness" of the shift lever. I've noted it be much less so in my venerable old Jeep. But, I just live with it. No big deal to me.
But, I see your view.
I think Greg was as close to my thinking as anyone. So, if you have a spare, "monkey" with it. Clean up the design. And, as I think as a past lister did, remove the notch that requires a side movement to go from "notch" to notch.
Gun smiths do something like that. The famed 1911 45 as issued is rough and tough. So, they smoothen the parts that slide and cam.
In the case at hand, perhaps, merely lube would go along way. If any were applied decades ago, it is gone or congealed and does no good and more likely harm.
Carl
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Doug (08-14-2017)
#15
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#16
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#17
#18
Just as an FYI, I have measured the cable travel where the shift cable attaches to the shift mechanism, and the movement is the same between an 88 XJ40 shifter and a Series III shifter (TH400 trans), so the XJ40 shifter should not require modification to move the shift cable the required amount at the transmission
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Doug (08-23-2017)