Shortening the 2g shifter?

[CyberEye]

I hate how high the stock shifter is in my 96 tsi. Now I know there are short shift kits out, but do they only shorten the throw? or do they shorten the hight of the shifter as well?
Is there any way I can shorten how high the shifter is without cutting it? I'd like the top of the shift knob to be about where the bottom of the stock shiftknob is.

 

[UofACATS]

I hate how high the stock shifter is in my 96 tsi. Now I know there are short shift kits out, but do they only shorten the throw? or do they shorten the hight of the shifter as well?
Is there any way I can shorten how high the shifter is without cutting it? I'd like the top of the shift knob to be about where the bottom of the stock shiftknob is.

Short-shift refers to the length of the throw. A short shift kit that reduced the height of the shifter significantly would feel difficult to shift.
Think about the leverage your tall shifter (and long throw) gives you. Then increase shifting effort by installing a short shift kit, then further increase effort by shortening the shifter height.
I wanted to cut my stock shifter too, but after researching I found that most regretted it,
and found the B&M much more pleasant.

 

[dave99gst]

i hacked 2" out of my old shifter and i luved the feel - it wasnt that much harder to shift.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

yup, cut and reweld.

I didnt have access/time to cut the shift so i just cut the top off, grinded, and retapped it. managed to shave off ~1.25" off of her.

 

[PaleDSM]

I have the older Extreme short shift kit. It shortens the shift and the height of the shifter both. Little more effort than stock maybe but you quickly get used to it.

 

[totalburnout]

yup, cut and reweld.

I didnt have access/time to cut the shift so i just cut the top off, grinded, and retapped it. managed to shave off ~1.25" off of her.

Theres a write up on how to cut the shifter and rethread it yourself.

 

[marcmsj]

i cut off about 1.5 inches on my 1g. haven't had any problems.

 

[CyberEye]

you guy's with 2g's have pictures of your cut up shifter?

 

[MNGSX]

I'll need to take some..

I cut it down and welded a threaded stud into the whole of the hollow handle then found a billet aluminum knob I liked. Redrilled and tapped the hole to match. Screwed it on and locked it with a jamb nut below it. Rock solid and very short. I have done some other changes via cuts and welds etc to the shifter to shorten the actual throw but you just asked about droping the knob so that is how.

 

[CyberEye]

I'll need to take some..

I cut it down and welded a threaded stud into the whole of the hollow handle then found a billet aluminum knob I liked. Redrilled and tapped the hole to match. Screwed it on and locked it with a jamb nut below it. Rock solid and very short. I have done some other changes via cuts and welds etc to the shifter to shorten the actual throw but you just asked about droping the knob so that is how.

I suppose if I was going to cut it, I'd just cut an inch and a half or 2 inch piece out, just below the threaded part, then weld the threaded piece back on to the lower piece. pictures of your cars would be greatly helpful though

 

[MNGSX]

Just get a stud or cut the head off a bolt and weld that down the center instead of rejoining the halves...

Faster and easier. No need cut out a section after the first cut or to clamp or set up the pieces in a jig..