anyone running a reverses valve body with a stock slapstick shifter?

[challydust]

Trying to figure out if my shifter is broke or not......shouldnt you have to push the button in on the t handle to go from 1st to second?....and third?.......i bought a shiftergate from duncan....havent installed it yet...there telling me, u wont have to push the button in to go from 1st to sec....but push the button to go from 2nd to 3rd......mine now...u only have to push it once to get into 1st....then it will shift all the way through all 3 gears.....which is the problem...i short shift it all the time...slippin it from 1st to 3rd.....it wont stop in 2nd......?

[moparmaniac59]

Sounds like it may need some cleaning/adjustment. I have the Duncan Shift-R-Gate and I am running a reverse manual valve body with my slap-stick setup. Before I bought it, I overshot neutral and slid my old slapstick into reverse going about 35 mph. My transmission didn't like it. That's when I went to a reverse pattern valve body. I would suggest removing the center console and making sure all my linkage operates smoothly with no slop. Replace all the old nylon bushings. They get cracked and worn causing slop in your linkage which can cause problems with shifter travel completely engaging from Park thru low gear. I see the nylon bushings on Ebay often. To install the shift-r-gate you will need to drill/grind off the old rivets and replace the factory plates with the shift-r-gate plates. You'll probably find lots of dust/fuzz that may be why your slapstick didn't lock in properly. Clean it good with some parts cleaner & blow out with an air hose & then lightly oil. When you reinstall the shifter make sure it is screwed down firmly. You may have to shift it around to find the sweet spot where it shifts smoothly. The hold-down plate has slotted screw holes for adjustment. My old one was missing a screw and the shifter would move around (not good) I like the factory look so chose to use the shift-r-gate with the reverse pattern valve body. I did however have issues with slop in the linkage and some mis-alignment causing dragging. It's not a bad setup, but like I mentioned....while you have it apart, check everything. You'll not regret it later.

                                                    Matt B.

[challydust]

thank matt for the info...i have taken it apart....but didnt replace any bushings...thinkin it the actual gear action they may be worn?   going to install teh shifter gate and see if it improves.....matt does ur set up work...EXACTLY like the factory deal except in rev pattern?.......where as u dont have to push the button in to shift it from 2 nd to 3rd?.....in a forward pattern using the factory deal...no button is used...u just bump it up to the gear u want....im hoping the shift r gate does this....

[moparmaniac59]

It clicks in just like going forward, except you're shifting away from neutral instead of towards neutral. Mine worked fine out of the car as I checked it out before installing. It currently drags a bit as I have some alignment problems I've got to fix including replacing a bushing and redrilling the swivel that makes up to the transmission shifter linkage. There was a pretty detailed thread on the issue of automatic transmission console shifter linkage slop and how to correct it if you are interested, do a search in the transmission and drivetrain section. Hope it does an awesome job for you!

                                                Matt B.

[challydust]

but do u have to push the button in to shift it from ur 1st gear to ur second then to ur 3rd....or do u only have to push the button once to get it outta park into the first gear.......the fctory set up, is u only push the button once...then ud pull the t handle down into the lowest gear , then just simply smack the t handle up into 2nd then 3rd.......now of course thats wiht a forward pattern.....unlike our rev patt...thats what im trying to find out...before i tear it all apart and have to monkey with it to get to shift right by installing the shifter gate....there really nothing wrong with my shifter now...other than the rev pattern...

[moparmaniac59]

Yes, you have to push the button in to shift between gears.


                                             Matt B.

[challydust]

see then the shifter gate does not work like the factory slapstick....wont fix my problem then....guess i smoked 40 bucks...

[challydust]

well i will same this for tom duncan who builds the shifter gate...i called him and told him for me to get want i want , i will have to have a forward valve body to the tune of 200 to 500....so i really didnt want to stick the shifter gate on the shelf as a wasted 40 bucks.....he said send it back...no problem.....so good guy imo......was really hopin that did the trick, but never my luck to get out of it easy and simple....

[moparmaniac59]

If you're not happy with the slapstick shifter, but already have a reverse-manual valve body, why not go with something like a B & M Mega shifter?? There are several folks here using them and are very happy with them. I just personally like the stock look, but my other option was the B & M. You can use one with a forward valve body as well. Just a thought.

                                                   Matt B.

[challydust]

yeah man....im with you....i like factory look...thats why i didnt go with a aftermarket.shifter to begin with....only reason i dont like my setup now with the rev is the way i can screw up the shift and have to push the button.....just have to go with a forward pattern....thanks for ur input

[Katfish]

I have the reverse manual valve body with the factory shifter, and yes you do have to be careful.

[challydust]

yes katfish thats what i dont like....ive never had a bad issue, hittin neutral or rev ect....just short shiftin it....i dont drag race...but i run the car like its meant to be run and when ur into it, keeping  it straight, watch the rode, the tac, ect....it get wild my car get pretty squirrely.....just would be better for me to be able to bang the gear forward where u dont have to worry about pushin buttons......the factory slap is a great shifter..(t handle well.lol)....but it just not designed to work backwards