Hurst billet Shifter Install
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Hurst billet Shifter Install
I got tired of the sloppy shifting of my 5sp manual tranny and opted for a Hurst Billet Shifter Kit (391-5020) for the Ford Ranger. I bought mine from Summit Racing.
The install went cleanly and took under an hour to complete. The install directions were great but I would change a couple of things.
After removing the cup holder/shifter console, the directions ask that you break off the tabs holding the original Ford shifter boot to the unit. You do this so that you can mount the Hurst shifter boot from the kit. DO NOT do this! If you do not like the looks of the Hurst boot after install, you will have no way to go back to the original setup. I preferred the Ford Setup over the Hurst item and the install looks factory except for the Hurst logo on the shifter ball.
The shifter is mounted to a shift rod that goes into the transmission by two threaded bolts. Hurst suggests that you use locktite to prevent the bolts from loosening and eventually falling out. I replaced the bolts with longer ones therefore allowing a washer, lock washer and nut to be added to prevent the above failure.
There is transmission noise that vibrates through the new shifter because of the all metal linkage to the tranny by the Hurst shifter Billet housing. You will have to live with it as it cannot be eliminated. The shifts are now approxiately 30 to 40% shorter and more positive in movement. It is by no means silky smooth as the mechical linkage inside the shifter housing makes clicks as you go throught the gears. The components inside this housing add some resistance to shift patterns.
Go to the Mr. Gasket web site and you can find the installation intructions that come with the kit in PDF format. That way, you can preview what is needed to be done before you buy the Shifter.
I kept the old Ford Ranger unit in case I had to go back to the factory setup. There is only a plastic ring insert that actually positions the shifter and mine was broken when I disassembled the factory item. What a cheesey factory setup! If your 5spd seems to be grinding and unable to make positive shifts from 2nd to 3rd, this plastic indexing piece may be the culprit if it is broken or worn out. Continued tranny use when this piece is broken may promote synchro wear even though the trans fluid is changed regularly and your unit is not leaking from the rubber shifter rail grommets that are prone to failure.
Sorry for the long post...I hope this can help those with manual tranny problems.
2000 Ford Ranger XLT StepSide 2wd 4.0L 5spd Manual 52K miles
The install went cleanly and took under an hour to complete. The install directions were great but I would change a couple of things.
After removing the cup holder/shifter console, the directions ask that you break off the tabs holding the original Ford shifter boot to the unit. You do this so that you can mount the Hurst shifter boot from the kit. DO NOT do this! If you do not like the looks of the Hurst boot after install, you will have no way to go back to the original setup. I preferred the Ford Setup over the Hurst item and the install looks factory except for the Hurst logo on the shifter ball.
The shifter is mounted to a shift rod that goes into the transmission by two threaded bolts. Hurst suggests that you use locktite to prevent the bolts from loosening and eventually falling out. I replaced the bolts with longer ones therefore allowing a washer, lock washer and nut to be added to prevent the above failure.
There is transmission noise that vibrates through the new shifter because of the all metal linkage to the tranny by the Hurst shifter Billet housing. You will have to live with it as it cannot be eliminated. The shifts are now approxiately 30 to 40% shorter and more positive in movement. It is by no means silky smooth as the mechical linkage inside the shifter housing makes clicks as you go throught the gears. The components inside this housing add some resistance to shift patterns.
Go to the Mr. Gasket web site and you can find the installation intructions that come with the kit in PDF format. That way, you can preview what is needed to be done before you buy the Shifter.
I kept the old Ford Ranger unit in case I had to go back to the factory setup. There is only a plastic ring insert that actually positions the shifter and mine was broken when I disassembled the factory item. What a cheesey factory setup! If your 5spd seems to be grinding and unable to make positive shifts from 2nd to 3rd, this plastic indexing piece may be the culprit if it is broken or worn out. Continued tranny use when this piece is broken may promote synchro wear even though the trans fluid is changed regularly and your unit is not leaking from the rubber shifter rail grommets that are prone to failure.
Sorry for the long post...I hope this can help those with manual tranny problems.
2000 Ford Ranger XLT StepSide 2wd 4.0L 5spd Manual 52K miles
Last edited by Wasilla; Nov 6, 2004 at 12:04 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Highland, TX
I have the Hurst shifter in my Ranger for almost a year now. It is definately a worthwhile mod. It is $210 shipped from either www.summitracing.com or www.jegs.com
Here is a picture of mine with a few mods (larger non-Hurst shift **** and leather boot instead of the Hurst rubber one)...
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...138033full.jpg
Here is a great write up on its installation...
http://www.cpu-net.com/host/gndnovak/Hurst1.htm
Here is a picture of mine with a few mods (larger non-Hurst shift **** and leather boot instead of the Hurst rubber one)...
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...138033full.jpg
Here is a great write up on its installation...
http://www.cpu-net.com/host/gndnovak/Hurst1.htm
Last edited by kontai69; Nov 7, 2004 at 12:41 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Oh wow.....yeah, i definaly like that. It looks really nice. Thanks for that website. Someone really took the time to get good pics. Looks like it would be a pretty easy install. I think that will be my next mod.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
One way to deaden the inner cabin noise transmitted by the new shifter is to put a thin piece of rubber between the handle and the extension coming out of the base. Its not perfect, but I found on the Pro 5.0 shifter that was in my Mustang it definately cut down on the noise somewhat. I went another step further and stuck some Dynamat material around the ring on the shifter base to further block out the noise, but I don't know how effective it really was. You'll become used to the noise after a short period of time anyway.
Looks like this might be my next mod too! I can't stand the sloppy stock shifters!
Looks like this might be my next mod too! I can't stand the sloppy stock shifters!
