Toploader shifter recommendations??

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by John B, Dec 21, 2003.

  1. John B

    John B Member

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    Looking for recommendations for a shifter to use in my Mav with a toploader 4 sp. ('70's Mustang/Cougar variation). At present the default choice is a Hurst Competition Plus, but I am open to alternative suggestions. Anyone selling anything appropriate? Thanks; John B.
     
    John B, Dec 21, 2003
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  2. M.A.V.

    M.A.V. Yep,my real initials.

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    I used to have a toploader in mine and I had the compitition plus,it worked really well and looked cool too . If I went to a four speed again ,thats what I`d use:bananaman
     
    M.A.V., Dec 21, 2003
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  3. Dan Starnes

    Dan Starnes Original owner

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    I have used only Hurst Competition plus shifters in my Mav. Had a modified one for 20 years and then replaced it with a new one. Nice fit, looks appropriate and functions well. Also does not interfere with seat, dash and I believe it was just a small snip on the tunnel when switched from old 3 spd.
    Dan
     
    Dan Starnes, Dec 21, 2003
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  4. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    I've been using Hurst shifters for over 30 years. Best shifter on the market.
     
    Mavaholic, Dec 21, 2003
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  5. John B

    John B Member

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    Anybody still have the numbers for the shifter and install kits they used (Hurst Competition Plus?). Thanks. John B
     
    John B, Dec 21, 2003
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  6. Dan Starnes

    Dan Starnes Original owner

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    John, I hace included a link to jegs below. I am certain that the toploader you are using is different than mine. The only thing that differs is the install kit. My toploader is a very old one, 1963 vintage. If you can get the numbers from your trans it will help you in determining the install kit you need.
    Dan

    http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=3893&prmenbr=361
     
    Dan Starnes, Dec 21, 2003
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  7. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    30+ years ago I had a Hurst Super shifter on the top-loader 4-speed in my '71. It's the shifter with the straight shift rods. Later I transferred that drivetrain to my '76 F-100 after having the shifter rebuilt by Hurst. When I sold the truck, I kept the four speed and shifter for another Maverick eventually.
     
    Shorty, Dec 22, 2003
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  8. John B

    John B Member

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    Hi Shorty; I considered a Super Shifter, but got the impression somewhere that it would require more hacking up of the trans tunnel than the Competition Plus. What was your experience with regards to fit area? John B.
     
    John B, Dec 22, 2003
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  9. jpollard

    jpollard Member

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    Are the shifts that much smoother than a stock shifter out of 69 stang? I am considering getting the Hurst but not sure if it is worth it.
     
    jpollard, Dec 22, 2003
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  10. Dan Starnes

    Dan Starnes Original owner

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    The difference between a stock shifter and a hurst shifter is huge.
    Dan
     
    Dan Starnes, Dec 22, 2003
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  11. Shorty

    Shorty Member

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    John,

    I don't recall any cutting other than making the shifter opening too huge thinking I needed it that big. I had to get a Hurst "Super Boot" to cover my mistake. My Mav originally had a 3-speed manual if that makes a difference.

    JPollard,
    The top-loader I have came out of a Boss 302 with a factory installed shifter that had a Hurst stick welded to it. It kept getting stuck in 2nd gear with no visible means to adjust it. The Super Shifter cured all that and, like I mentioned earlier, Hurst rebuilt it. Also, like Dan stated, the shifting is worlds apart.
    Now I need another Maverick in which to put all my parts! :)

    Hope this helps,
    Shorty
     
    Shorty, Dec 23, 2003
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  12. littleredtoy

    littleredtoy Seth

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    Ford vs. Hurst

    Ford began using Hurst shifters in all of their performance cars
    starting in 1970. Boss 2's,9's,351's all had them. Torinos, Cyclones, Rancheros etc. with 4 speeds all came with Hurst shifters. They stopped it probably in the mid 70's. The '74 Pinto based Mustang did not have them. Come to think of it, did anything Ford made with a V8 come with a 4 speed after the gas crisis until the Fox bodied Mustang with V8? I think some of the V8 Mustang II's had them, but other than that I don't remember any.



    Seth
     
    littleredtoy, Dec 24, 2003
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  13. maverick1970

    maverick1970 MCG State Rep

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    I ran a Hurst Super Shifter III during my toploader days, needed the big shifter boot to cover the hole. Have since converted back to an automatic.
     
    maverick1970, Dec 24, 2003
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