Has anyone ever make a shift gate and did it help?

[eddiepotts]

I was thinking about making a shift gate so I quit grinding my gears.

[kyle4501]

Cool idea! I pondered that for a while because one of my buses has so much play in the shift linkage that it feels like you are stirring a bucket of s#!t with a few rocks thrown in just to keep you guessing. I could never tell when it was in neutral.   

I believe you may be better served by first removing the play in the shifter linkages all the way to the back (replacing all worn bushings, shafts & cables).

I'm thinking if you don't get rid of all the play - the gate will do more harm than good.

Good luck with the gear dust  

[RJ]

Eddie -

Having a shift gate will not solve your grinding problem.

Lots of practice driving your coach with double-clutch shifting will do far more - UNLESS the shift linkage is hopelessly worn.

In that case, either rebuild the shift linkage or install an Allison.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[buswarrior]

If the linkages are all loose, the gate will obstruct the stick from moving around sufficiently to get the shifter to line up and manipulate the transmission internals.

As noted, trouble shoot the worn parts, and read RJ's shifting article:

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/12262/16204.html?1167073154

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Bill B /bus]

Pretty! Ah yes it is pretty. But, it won't help. As mentioned above clean, adjust and replace every single bit of the moving parts in the linkage assembly. I did a buffalo and found my biggest problem was the shift tower itself. More specifically the sliding bars that operated the linkage rods. All the other work of replacing bushings on the rear bulkhead etc was canceled by the lack of lubrication in the sliders.
As far as shifting. The only remedy is practice. Once you get the feel of the no grind shift you won't forget. Remember that the transmission temperature will really you shifting.
Picture this- 10F outside temperature, engine temp at 160F, PD 4108 with the wonderful Spicer with wet clutch. Could not shift first to second . Until I figured out that I could catch second on the idle speed. With 20 miles of driving it was better shifting. Put a couple of hundred miles on and shifting was a easy as it ever was in a Buffalo.

You should be able to shift as well with or without the clutch when you get the feel.

Bill

PS As much as I like the control I have with stick as I age I appreciate Auto, the hard working german, doing my shifting for me. Stop and go traffic was not pleasant in the Buffalo.