Creating a shift lever worthy of the Grenadier

[FlyersFan76]

It would seem that the replacement lever can be transplanted, potentially, to the original base

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=76jfjqFVJYY

Probably right. If only we can find a cheap one to play with.

Maybe one from a Morgan Plus Six lol

 

[GrenadierUSA]

I purchased a used BMW unit to dismantle and see if we could machine a better form. Harder than I thought. I actually damaged the ribbon cable while taking it apart. I was hoping to make a different style on a 5 axis mill but the engineering is a bit more involved than I have time for. Would definitely be a fun project though!!

 

[Trialmaster]

Just why? Why would you spend time and money, buggering around with something that works?You have got too much time on your hands?

 

[holdmybeer]

Dog bless the hackers of this world. We all benefit from what they create... knowledge, entertainment, aesthetic, utility, etc.

 

[Shaky]

Dog bless the hackers of this world. We all benefit from what they create... knowledge, entertainment, aesthetic, utility, etc.

Agreed, for many this kind of thing IS their hobby, and what keeps their mind ticking over. Way out of my remit but I hope someone does does it out of sheer interest.

 

[Bruce]

I purchased a used BMW unit to dismantle and see if we could machine a better form. Harder than I thought. I actually damaged the ribbon cable while taking it apart. I was hoping to make a different style on a 5 axis mill but the engineering is a bit more involved than I have time for. Would definitely be a fun project though!!

Did you notice if the ribbon cable plug was the same between the IG and the BMW? I assume so, and the disassembly video posted above in this thread makes me think the ZF shifters should be swappable, but it's a costly mistake if I'm wrong.

 

[Norb-TX]

Stock wheels work, stock tires work, etc that doesn't stop people to change them out to make it better.

 

[GrenadierUSA]

Did you notice if the ribbon cable plug was the same between the IG and the BMW? I assume so, and the disassembly video posted above in this thread makes me think the ZF shifters should be swappable, but it's a costly mistake if I'm wrong.

Ill post photos of the one i took apart in a few days.

 

[GrenadierUSA]

Just why? Why would you spend time and money, buggering around with something that works?You have got too much time on your hands?

No. But i have an undeniable urge to take things that don’t feel perfect and try to make them better. And i have a killer set of tools….

 

[Cheshire cat]

No. But i have an undeniable urge to take things that don’t feel perfect and try to make them better. And i have a killer set of tools….

With all that CNC, any thoughts on producing small batch items for sale on this forum? I'm sure they would go down well.

 

[BenTN]

Just why? Why would you spend time and money, buggering around with something that works?You have got too much time on your hands?

Why throw shade on someone else's pet project? Have you got too much time on your hands?

This is a big world. Plenty of room for lots of energy and enthusiasm to be aimed at this new vehicle. I fail to see how criticizing anyone else's effort on this forum is a worthwhile contribution. Personally I enjoy the wide range of talents and approaches here.

 

[DaveB]

Why throw shade on someone else's pet project? Have you got too much time on your hands?

This is a big world. Plenty of room for lots of energy and enthusiasm to be aimed at this new vehicle. I fail to see how criticizing anyone else's effort on this forum is a worthwhile contribution. Personally I enjoy the wide range of talents and approaches here.

I have said it many times.
This is the beauty of the vehicle
We all have different wants, needs and tastes.
The Grenadier is just a base for each of us to build on.

The difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys.

 

[Krabby]

@BenTN Any ideas on an upgrade for the transfer case ball. I'd still want something black but maybe of a higher quality.

 

[Max]

A Gold 8 ball

 

[bigleonski]

A Gold 8 ball

Hmmmmm, maybe just a black one @Max

 

[Ovrland Bill]

“…A few things that were revealed:

- I don't need the PRND/M indication on the lever, since it is displayed larger up on the screen anyway (where your hand is not in the way of seeing it)…”

I would disagree on this point because the aforementioned PRND/M shift pattern is not displayed on the larger touchscreen until the shifter is moved out of the Park Position. The DIRECTION of that initial movement is quite critical, in that the shifter must be pushed FORWARD to engage Reverse Gear. This is exactly the opposite of the traditional PRNDL ‘pull BACK one notch to go back in Reverse’ arrangement.

In my Grenadier I rely on the shift pattern, as initially illuminated on the Shift Lever itself, to guide me to push it forward to back out of my garage (which is exactly the opposite of the shifter in my ‘97 Defender 90 that is parked alongside).

 

[Jiman01]

TBH, you get used to it. LR has had it for years. You’re right though in the beginning it’s counterintuitive.

I find a similar issue in some vehicles when you shift over to M / “Manual”. I normally think down shifting is associated with pulling the stick down, like going from 5th to 4th using a 5-speed, but in many of the automatic M modes, down shifting is achieved by pushing the stick forward. Because I’ve never owned an automatic till recently, it’s definitely required purposeful thought to avoid doing the opposite of what I want to happen.

 

[BenTN]

“…A few things that were revealed:

- I don't need the PRND/M indication on the lever, since it is displayed larger up on the screen anyway (where your hand is not in the way of seeing it)…”

I would disagree on this point because the aforementioned PRND/M shift pattern is not displayed on the larger touchscreen until the shifter is moved out of the Park Position. The DIRECTION of that initial movement is quite critical, in that the shifter must be pushed FORWARD to engage Reverse Gear. This is exactly the opposite of the traditional PRNDL ‘pull BACK one notch to go back in Reverse’ arrangement.

In my Grenadier I rely on the shift pattern, as initially illuminated on the Shift Lever itself, to guide me to push it forward to back out of my garage (which is exactly the opposite of the shifter in my ‘97 Defender 90 that is parked alongside).

This is a valid point.

In fact I have had more than one person try to move my car and be confused by the shifter, even in stock form without the cover in place. It is usually the unlock button that initially throws them off, but hiding the shift order can only make it more difficult.

I think that we will end up making it optional to leave the indicator/graphic on the lever exposed.

 

[DaveB]

“…A few things that were revealed:

- I don't need the PRND/M indication on the lever, since it is displayed larger up on the screen anyway (where your hand is not in the way of seeing it)…”

I would disagree on this point because the aforementioned PRND/M shift pattern is not displayed on the larger touchscreen until the shifter is moved out of the Park Position. The DIRECTION of that initial movement is quite critical, in that the shifter must be pushed FORWARD to engage Reverse Gear. This is exactly the opposite of the traditional PRNDL ‘pull BACK one notch to go back in Reverse’ arrangement.

In my Grenadier I rely on the shift pattern, as initially illuminated on the Shift Lever itself, to guide me to push it forward to back out of my garage (which is exactly the opposite of the shifter in my ‘97 Defender 90 that is parked alongside).

I don't even look at the shifter
Press the button on the side with your thumb, pull back to go into drive and push forward to go into reverse.
Having done it hundreds of times I don't need to see it to know what to do.
When i had a three on the tree I didn't need to read anything to know what was where.
Floor shift manual,. never looked.

 

[Greg]

I actually like the shifter.
Its short, precise movements come in handy when trying to get into those tight parking spaces.
Swapping between drive and reverse is fast and positive without having to look.