5-Speed AutoStick - Terry, You May Know?

[Carlwalski]

Hi Guys,


I MAYBE looking at getting myself an SRT8 Jeep (sell the WJ Jeep + Subaru) but one little thing I've never liked is the Autostick side to side shifting pattern, it's queer. It's like a laid back businessman shifter. My question, since it's got everything there to use the [ + ] and [ - ] shifter, is there anyway you can think of that could change it to the traditional [up] and [down] style most normal cars have. Up and down feels better and is better as it's a natural force when driving - up for down shifting (body motion comes forward under deceleration) and pull down for up when the torque is pushing you back. I asked on the Cherokeesrt8 forum but they seem too cool for school and being a newb they must have thought I was dreaming, anyhow, I may have well asked a brick wall. It seems like it can be done, espesically being a tiptronic car to start with. On paper it needs to be shifted 180degrees and it'd be perfect. Some may say "why bother" but having owned several tiptronic cars it makes a world of difference, under "enthusiastic driving conditions" having the "proper" configuration is awesome.


Thanks,
Carl

Stock Autostick set up with it's "side-to-side" "manual" shifter.

[73challenger_TN]

Why couldn't you change to paddle shifters? Aren't those shifters basically just two switches? It looks like to me you could just run a wire to each side of your paddle shifter. You would just pull the shifter down into that mode when you wanted to use them.
http://www.twistmachine.com/

[Carlwalski]

Yup, that is what the Cherokee forum suggested and it had crossed my mind thanks. However, I prefer the shifter for straight line style driving, paddles are good for corners and "twisties". I'd like both but was more interested in the shifter handle configuration side of things, much more fun. I'm just doing some research to see if there were any Autostick transmissions with the up/down shifter style from the factory. Maybe I could run there top plate/console pieces and shifter? Will see what anyone else has to offer. It's no major but, yeah, just real curious is all.

[tactransman]

NZ,all the + and - is, is momentary ground switches that the computer sees when you push the stick side to side.

[Carlwalski]

NZ,all the + and - is, is momentary ground switches that the computer sees when you push the stick side to side.

So how would one go about changing to up and down? Basically just switch it around?
I'm guessing the switches can be on the roof as long as they can read the moment the shifter connects then they will always shift up/down?


Thanks Terry. 

[gkring]

You need a seperate set of gates so you can shift up and down only. Right now your second set of gates goes side to side. You need something like the Infinitis and Nissans have. You pull down to drive, then just push the shifter to the right. OnCe on the right you can tap up and down to shift.

[tactransman]

You need a seperate set of gates so you can shift up and down only. Right now your second set of gates goes side to side.

Exactly.

[Carlwalski]

Thanks guys, wonder how hard it would be putting another cars shifter setup in, guess the only mod will be a custom console to suit? I'll see how I get on (if I even get the SRT8 Jeep). Terry, have you ever worked on the SRT8 6.1L style transmissions? They are apparently quite sloppy, shifts can be quite hesitant and along with the shifter would be something I'd look into (beefing it up/performance). I believe it's a A580? 5-speed auto.

[asm74]

I thought the autostick mechanism came from benz, and that it largely remains the same.  Maybe there's a benz with an autostick that you could salvage it from? Maybe I'm dreamin...

[quagmire]

Yeah, I believe the 5 speed behind the new hemi's is the Mercedes-Benz NAG transmission. I rebuilt one in school, pretty crazy transmission to take apart.

[tactransman]

Yeah, I believe the 5 speed behind the new hemi's is the Mercedes-Benz NAG transmission. I rebuilt one in school, pretty crazy transmission to take apart.

Yup,I have not worked on one yet. They call it a 722.6 No shift kit or anything performance available yet.

[PlumCrazyChris]

I beleive the Mazda 6 has a shifter oriented the way your talking about.  I rented on years ago when they first came out.   I hadn't seen anything like it before, and it was a real blast to drive.   I can see why you'd like yours oriented that way.   Hell my wifes Kia is even set up that way.   I don't think the side to side shifter makes sense in performance car.   I always liked the hurst his/her shifter,  I guess it comes back to the slogan.....Dodge Different.