1969 RR Console Pistol Grip Shifter Swap Questions

[Wijns07]

As the title says, I have a 1969 RR w/ a console 4 speed.

I would like to put the pistol grip shifter from the 1970's car in it.

It's really hard to find the console pistol grip shifters....and when you do..they are damn spendy.

The bends in the shift post make it almost impossible to make any other types work.

I'm sure that people have done this.....I'm just curious if I do get my hands on one...if it will be a straight swap to make the 70 fit my 69?

If anybody has a link to a site that carries one...I'm in.

Seems like the restoration companies don't carry them any more.

Thanks

Wijns

 

[GearAddict]

Your 69 should have the "push in" style shifter as opposed to the bolt in style that was used later (starting in 70 or 71 I believe) this will be your biggest challenge as the don't seem to be making reproductions of the push in style. However you can convert yours to a bolt in and buy an new Hurst console pistol grip to mount up to it. Your original shifter is worth $250-$300 easy so you could sell to fund it.

Brewers performance is the best website to see the different styles and they offer the conversion parts.

 

[MoparBill]

I just put a pistol grip in my 69 Roadrunner, but it was a non-console car. The shifter box is different, as the 70 box has a shorter throw. The shift levers and swivels are also different.
Again, this is for a non-console-just passing info along.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Did the 70 box have a shorter throw to compensate for the length of the 70 shifter?

 

[dsd1967]

Yes, the 70 shifter had longer fingers that hang below to shorten the throw of the shifter above, and I believe the rods were a little heavier duty because of the added leverage from the pistor grip.

To the OP....if you are changing the shifter handle, you will run into the push in vs the bolt in issue. You could theoretically replace the push in piece of your shifter mechanism with a bolt in style, but you will probably be knuckling your dash due to the long throw. If you are serious about doing this, you may just want to look into a complete kit from Brewers....or try to find a complete used 70 unit. You will take your chances with the used 70 unit being worn though.

 

[HYRDGOON]

Thanks Dsd,

I currently have an aftermarket side mount (bolted) in my 69 and trying to figure the logistics of swapping in the 71-74 non-console pistol grip shifter handle because I like the shorter throw. I have another thread asking about it but still may have some obstacles. I think I'm just going to get my hands on one and try it

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Well I'm no expert, but I do have a 70 pistol grip console car that I've owned for 30 yrs.... so I'll take a shot at this question. My car is a "push in" type shifter (original) and I "thought" that the ones that bolt in from the side are aftermarket, but I guess I'm wrong. I swaped a 69 Hurst linkage into my car (I had one slightly bent separator plate) and the two linkages (rods and all) seemed identical. My best guess is that the 70 pistol grip would be a bolt-in swap & would fit your existing linkage, just find a shifter and slip it in. I do know that the upper shift boot has a rectangular hole (70) instead of a round one (69) (they didn't use to reproduce the 70 version, but they do now).