Creating a shift lever worthy of the Grenadier

[kjlewis]

I'd be in for testing, as well, as I think your solution goes a long way to solving the problem.

It does appear that the shifter just wasn't enough of a priority when designing the vehicle and I don't think it's a tool & die or engineering issue related to quantity. There was a lot of complex product development going on for the 25k Grenadiers will be produced. (i.e. I don't think it's a Frankenstein vehicle!)

 

[MileHigh]

In another thread, an EU person said that the shifter is part of the whole package, and that changing it would incur getting the whole package approved again, which would be big money. Don’t think that is an issue here in the US, but might explain why even Toyota went with the BMW shifter. Interesting, the transmissions are widely used with many different shifters.

 

[TCMColorado]

This post confirms that the Toyota Supra shifter is an easy swap and it looks great, with a design that fits the Grendadier. Also low cost in the scheme of things.

The base of the Toyota shifter is not used, only the top portion is swapped over.

https://www.theineosforum.com/threa...-down-just-completed-a-shifter-swap.12416067/

 

[Jeffrey]

I really like the shifter. What exactly is your problem with it?

 

[Ovrland Bill]

I really like the shifter. What exactly is your problem with it?

Aside from the shift function not exactly being intuitive (e.g. why are there two detents present for the rearward shift into Drive), the appearance of the OEM shifter from BMW is svelte and curvy, while the rest of the cockpit design is chunky and squared off. This difference is a bit jarring and makes the shifter look out of place.

 

[Tazzieman]

the OEM shifter from BMW is svelte and curvy

A perfect fit for those metrosexual moisturised hands

 

[Boston Boy]

Gee, Ben, you sure are into this shifter thing. I have no problem with it. Looks OK, works fine. I have more important things to do with my time.

Obvisouly you are not a mechanical designer or work with them. I love his obsession (and am going to print a sign for our design lab that says, "As a good friend likes to say: "At some point you have to shoot the engineer and go into production." perfect

 

[Jeffrey]

Obvisouly you are not a mechanical designer or work with them. I love his obsession (and am going to print a sign for our design lab that says, "As a good friend likes to say: "At some point you have to shoot the engineer and go into production." perfect

Ha, that's so funny. Not only am I a mechanical design engineer, and an inventor, but a precision machinist all my life, and a CNC programmer and high tech aerospace and medical technology manufacturing company owner. Any other comments?

Obsession is a totally different concept than anything being discussed.

 

[holdmybeer]

I can live with the function of the stock Grenadier shifter just fine, but I agree the form of the shifter does not fit the design vocabulary of the rest of the vehicle. It’s unfortunate because it’s in sight and in hand every drive.

I guess it fit the project budget and supply chain but I cannot believe that any industrial designer at Magna or elsewhere *looks* at the Grenadier shifter and says, “Perfect! Wouldn’t change a thing!”

 

[DaBull]

I can live with the function of the stock Grenadier shifter just fine, but I agree the form of the shifter does not fit the design vocabulary of the rest of the vehicle. It’s unfortunate because it’s in sight and in hand every drive.

I guess it fit the project budget and supply chain but I cannot believe that any industrial designer at Magna or elsewhere *looks* at the Grenadier shifter and says, “Perfect! Wouldn’t change a thing!”

Hi holdmybeer, i know everyone has different ideas on aesthetics. Since the interior reminds me of a helicopter cockpit, I pretend the shifter is a helicopter cyclic control stick. To me it goes with the aviation themed interior. Just my own take on the aesthetics. Dabull

 

[holdmybeer]

Hi holdmybeer, i know everyone has different ideas on aesthetics. Since the interior reminds me of a helicopter cockpit, I pretend the shifter is a helicopter cyclic control stick. To me it goes with the aviation themed interior. Just my own take on the aesthetics. Dabull

Sure, I accept that. I guess to my aesthetic, there's also such a mismatch between the gear selector and transfer case selector next to it. The former seems sophisticated and suitable for any nice passenger car. The latter seems simple and agricultural. I know they're both probably going to last 20 years so who cares. I'll shut up for now.

Lol, we'll probably see Arcane Works do a Swarovski partnership and offer a crystal gear selector. Kidding not kidding. There are actually crystal BMW gear selectors that people "upgrade" to. No accounting for taste.

 

[Jayman1]

The shape of the base is completely off.


View attachment 7857653

View attachment 7857654

You only replace the shifter part. You don’t take the whole assembly out. There’s a video on owl vans that explains how to do it.

 

[DaveB]

I can't even recall the last time I actually looked at the shifter in mine.
I just get in start the vehicle
Reach down, no need to look, push forward for reverse or pull back for drive.
No need to look at it

 

[Bayford]

I can't even recall the last time I actually looked at the shifter in mine.
I just get in start the vehicle
Reach down, no need to look, push forward for reverse or pull back for drive.
No need to look at it

I'm with you on that Dave - I start the vehicle, don't look at it and after a year or so of ownership the whole thing feels pretty intuitive. I like the fact that when I take the key out it automatically engages park - probably standard in modern vehicles but new experience to me.

Grabbing hold of the stubby high low ratio lever is a different matter. The plastic sphere feels thin, cheap and nasty; but it doesn't bother me enough to try and change it. Belarus tractors, which were the cheapest most basic tractors you could get in the UK always had the most lovely solid, smooth and tactile gear knobs.