Console auto shifter options?

[pabster]

Howdy all!

So I've been noticing that the 71-74 Chargers have two styles of console shifters for automatics... I'll call them the "T Style" and the "Ball Style". Looking around, it seems that 71s and 74s had the Ball, 72-73s had the T. My '74 has the Ball, but I like the look of the T better. I've heard that the ball is durable, while the T can be relatively fragile.

Those of you who have the T, thoughts on it? I'd like to switch for cosmetic reasons, but I don't want to go to all the effort if the Ball is going to hold up forever. Another option would be an aftermarket shifter, anyone know what's out there that's worth a look? Below are examples of the T and the Ball (The Ball pic is an E Body, I know... but the shifter is the same as mine)

Thanks for the help as usual!

 

[1ol74charger4me]

Ball shifters seem to be cheap right now and use all the stuff the t uses so for less than a $100 you could have both. 4 screws and 10 minutes would be all it would take to swap out. Seems like the ts handles are all broken so they are usually more abused and the detents are usually iffy unless you find a good one. I was just thinking the other day that someone with some basic machine tools should take up refurbishing slapstiks and upgrades. It's surprising noone does that. As nice as your car is, I wouldn't do anything not easily reversed.Another thing about the t handle is you can swap to a pistol grip too. As far as aftermarket shifters, most are more race oriented in the way they shift and detent.

 

[djais1801]

Here is my current shifter...i would like to swap out for a Pistol Grip handle.

 

[Ron 73]

Pabster i have a slap stick with the t and it doesn't seem to do any harm using it roughly, I bought mine at Year One for $45.00, I think the shifter set up you have looks pretty nice but like said you could get one and use it and change back without to much hassle. I do believe the ball is a more sturdy knob though... Mines a Satellite but its the same t knob Chargers use.. I like your steering wheel it gos well with your dash!

 

[72 Charger SE]

My Slap-stick T handle has broken twice in the 27 years I've had the car, and each time it was the plastic around the screw that holds the handle onto the rest of the shift mechanism. The last one I put on appeared to be a little beefier around the screw, so it might have been an aftermarket part I picked up somewhere (it's been several years, so I don't remember)

 

[moparstuart]

I have a duncan shift r arm and pistol grip in my auto

 

[dgraver]

I have a pistol grip in mine, called an Auto-Grip. A guy over on roadrunner nest machines them himself and it's the best looking one ive seen in my opinion. It has a nice lean to it, unlike the gunslingers. I have pictures on my work computer I'll post tomorrow and see if I can dig up his contact info.

 

[Ron 73]

I would like to see one myself.. Thanks, what kind of price is attached to them? if you can say..

 

[dgraver]

Ok i found the guys info:

Auto-Grip
Steve (336) 824-4686
[email protected]
$175 and includes everything you need to install (which took 2 minutes)

Here are a few pics, sorry they arent the best quality, took them on my phone in the garage, thought i had better ones saved but i dont:

 

[moparmarks]

Note.
OP's pic is a 70E which had the ball handle. 71/4B's got the Tee handle.

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Mark,
I was pretty sure the B-bodies in these years came with tee handles as well until I bought this car, same handle my 66’ Sat had. Could have been changed out at some time, but sure appeared to be original when it was removed.

 

[moparstuart]

my duncan shifter r arm and pistol grip love it
http://www.duncan-motor-sports.com/3.html

 

[Bruzilla]

The T-shifter was a royal nightmare for us back in the 1970s and 1980s because as 72 Charger SE pointed out, the handles were always breaking right there where the retaining screw is. And back then, there were no readilly available replacements, and most guys I knew (including me) had to drive around with a ton of electrical tape wrapped around the bottom of the handle. Now there's plenty of sources for T handles, so you can have the look without the worry.

I prefer the T handles because no one else had them. The ball shifters were everywhere on Fords and GMs, but only Mopars had the T.

 

[pabster]

As usual, you guys come up with better solutions than I could ever imagine! :icon_thumleft:

I'm all about the Duncan Shifter or the Auto Grip... gotta choose one but they're both so cool looking! This is the perfect fit for me, since I was toying with the idea of switching my auto to a 4 speed, big reason was just to have a pistol grip shifter! But if I can have the grip without switching the tranny, then it's a hell of a lot less time and money spent... both of which are in short supply in my life...

Thanks again for making my car that much more bad ***! :headbang:

The original post pics are not my car... below is the beautiful interior that has become my refuge from the 2 kid insanity in my house...

 

[SureGrip]

I'm sure it's common knowledge, but the t-handle and the ball-handles use different shafts on the shifter.

I looked at the one in the '72 Satty I have, and noticed this.

 

[moparmarks]

Mark,
I was pretty sure the B-bodies in these years came with tee handles as well until I bought this car, same handle my 66’ Sat had. Could have been changed out at some time, but sure appeared to be original when it was removed.

I think thats what happened to alot of them. Prone to breakage and then got replaced. My 71 and 74 parts books show the Tee for B's. Have had alot of Slapsticks and all mine had the Tee handle. That chrome handle does look like it fits well.

 

[pabster]

Total noob question... but what is a slapstick in a Mopar? I'm right in guessing that it is the ability in "D" to move the stick and switch gears without a manual clutch, yeah? Can someone give me the lowdown on this? I'm seeing the "shift-r-gate" plate at Duncan Motorsports, but a little unclear on how my transmission would work if I installed it...

 

[72 Charger SE]

With the slap stick shifter, you can start with the shifter in 1st gear, then push forward (without pushing the the shifter button) and it will ratchet into 2nd, and lock out 1st. A 2nd push forward after releasing pressure from the 1st push will ratchet into Drive and lock the shifter in that gear until you push the button on the shifter. Push the button once from Drive, and you can then push into Neutral, but the shifter will stop you from hitting Reverse. Button has to be held in to get to Reverse and Park. Basically, it's a factory ratchet shifter with a reverse lockout.

 

[1ol74charger4me]

Here is my current shifter...i would like to swap out for a Pistol Grip handle.

I could be wrong but isn't that a Cordoba/ Magnum shifter. Thats different. Does it ratchet like a slapstik? Man, you guys kill me with interiors in your car. Mines stripped, waiting on a top and headliner. 80 degree weather and garage bound.

 

[djais1801]

I could be wrong but isn't that a Cordoba/ Magnum shifter. Thats different. Does it ratchet like a slapstik? Man, you guys kill me with interiors in your car. Mines stripped, waiting on a top and headliner. 80 degree weather and garage bound.

it does shift like a slap stick...not sure what it came from..was in the car when i got her.