Custom Pistol Grip Shifter Help

[Carlwalski]

OK, I'll try to explain this as best as I can. I have a new toy that's just landed and it has to, by law, be converted to RHD. I stumbled across a couple of guys running B & E-body Pistol grip shifter handles in their cars and would like to get one but I have a couple of problems and was wondering if anyone here had the know how or skill to make one up for me. I would pay for the product and your time. The problem is, because the pistol grip shifter is going to be in the LEFT hand the grip and thumb rest are on the wrong side so I'll need a set of custom grips that are "reversed". Sounds hard.

Also, the shifter handle would need to be "bent" in the opposite direction just under the handle itself so it leans towards someone in the right hand seat, not the current left hand seat. I've attached some photos below of what I mean as well as some photos of these cars which have them installed. One is a B-Body non console the other is an E-Body. Can anyone help or point me in the direction of someone who can? Basically, I would buy a B-body non console Hurst pistol grip and have to have it bent "right" and new reversed grips installed.


Thanks,
Carl

[GoodysGotaCuda]

hmm maybe harms knows or can come up with something?

[Carlwalski]

I think he may know but he'll be the first to admit his guys who make his custom stuff have a pretty slow work rate and take their time to do the work, albeit of very good quality. I would wait for it but I don't think he'd take it on as it's hard as an owner to take an order and not be able to give the customer an ETA. Thanks anyhow.

[Topcat]

Try this Carl.

http://www.qualityrockers.com/PistolGripShifter.htm

[Carlwalski]

Thanks TC but it doesn't look right. Plus it's still on the wrong side.
I would email them but as I said it doesn't look anything like the Hurst grips.

Thanks all the same bud. 

[Topcat]

OK, well good luck.
I would think he could reverse the grip to left since they're custom made.

[Super Blue 72]

Hi Carl,

A couple of thoughts....

Either use 2 of the non-thumb grip halves of the shifter handle or else take one of the non-shifter grip sides and mold a thumb grip using either Plastic Wood or putty.  Plastic wood may have the most "wood-like" feel but it'll take some crafting and it may be tough to try to match the grain.  You can then stain it but with repetitive motion from your hand the stain will wear through.

As far as the bend goes...vise?  That's what I would do.... 

[mopardave]

Carl.
Gunslinger makes these handles for hurst and they also make them 12 different colors with a carbon fiber. Very nice to talk to .
they are in foster kentucky ph# 775-750-0988    Gunslinger727@earthlink.net     www.gunslinger727.com
www.pistolgrip727.com

i am sure they can reverse a pattern for a lefty shifter. Hows your shaker project coming.

thanks David

[ShelbyDogg]

I agree, talk to Jason or Melody at Gunslinger. I have a wood handle of theirs.   Before he started making those, I ran into a couple of hand carved pistol grip handles.  Take it to a wood shop and they can easily make the handle with a band saw and a grinder.  You can even pick the hardwood of your choice.   

As for the handle, a torch and a little heat will bend it to the right angle in a few minutes. Just take it all apart first.

The fix for this is so simple, I wonder why you even posted this Carl.

Rob

[Carlwalski]

Thanks guys. I should have mentioned I emailed Gunslinger and it's a no. Well, not "no" but I'm looking at $10K+ lol. Why? He said in order to make a one off mold takes time, resources & money. He basically said it's a waste of time and I agreed for the sake of a handle it was very time consuming. Rob, true, true. It maybe easy to do but so is throwing rubbish under a mat, quick fix, worst solution. In other words, I wasn't sure if there was any other way to do it or is it simply a case of "just bend it".

TC - Thanks but albeit custom they just don't look anything like the original grips and that is the aim, like the ones in the photos in my first post. I would say they could do it but again not like the originals. I know I maybe stuck for choice but this is the reason I posted this thread to see if anyone can match the originals look and fit, just reversed. I'm not holding my breath and welcome all input into the matter good, bad or in between lol. It looks like it's going to have to be a custom wood job at a local shop.


Thanks! 

[Challenger6pak]

Do you have to have the plastic or could you go with wood?  I have a neighbor who is a woodworker.  He makes custom walking canes.  He looked at my pistol grip and said he could do it.

[hemiken]

Hey Carl,

Let me know which way you are going with the other members buddy.......................

I have a real good friend of mine who does right hand drive conversions for E-body Mopars here in Australia.................. Guess what, He has right Hand Pistol Grips made out of fibreglass.

As for the shifter handle itself, i would mount it in the car and measure how far over you need it towards the driver and put a 45 degree bend and then 45 degrees back vertical so it sits, looks and feels right in the car. Like a little zig zag.

[Pistol Gripper]

NZ, ( Can't help it )

The grips could be hand carved from wood, my Brother-in-law did a pair for my first cuda.  The hard part, or most expensive would be reversing the bend(s) in the handle.  It would need a rechrome afterwards.

P.G.

[73Chally]

Carl - Just curious, do you happen to know any competitive (Olympic type) shooters in your area?  My wife shoots, and they usually have people that will custom carve the wood grips for the guns.  If they can do that, they should be able to do what you want to do with no problem.  I'm sure it would be pricey, but it looks like it will be no matter what you do.

[Carlwalski]

Thank you so much for the replies and help guys, much appreciated indeed. Keith - LOL All good mate, I will always be a Kiwi and live in New Zealand so that name will always make sense no matter the "user name". I think out of the ideas Kens sounds like the best way to attack it.

Ken - Do you have any photos, I did think about that the other night as like you say, RHD conversion have lots of one off pieces made for them. Do you have a link or email or something to get a hold of him? Prices?


Cheers everyone.