[67camss/rs]

I would like to install a ratchet shifter ( Pro- Matic preferred) using the existing console on my 67.Do not want to cut or change the console. Has anyone done this and can tell me what shifter was used and any associated problems with the installation? Thanks for the help.

[MStennes]

Thats what I want to do on my 69 I hope someone gets back on that so I can do it too.
Good Luck!

[kool]

I installed a B&M Pro Rachet on my 68'. The install is fairly easy.I used one mounting hole from the old shifter and drilled three new ones.Drilled another hole for the shifter cable , then routed the cable.Everything went smooth, but there's one problem.The original shifter plate won't fit, so there's a hole with a shifter in it.I'm assuming your keeping the center console. I got lucky , I,ve got a friend that owns a machine shop. I designed a template , and he built it out of aluminum. It looks good.

[68rs406]

i put a pro ratchet in mine as well, 68 but same console as 69. i did it w/o cutting any new holes anywhere. it's kind of hard to explain, but i cut 2 pieces of 1/4 plate aluminum, one shaped same as the stock shifter base, one square and shaped basically like the opening of the console. i drilled out the bottom "shaped" piece w/ the same bolt pattern as the factory shifter, then by laying the top "square" piece over the bottom piece, drilled out the same bolt patern in it. the top piece was about 3" longer toward the back of the console, with the fronts even on both. i then layed the bottom piece where the shifter was, put 3 spacers, hard nylon 1"X 3/4" ,3/8 hole, over the two front holes, and the passenger side rear hole, that were drilled in the bottom to match factory inserts in floor. you need to take the bolt that holds in the console by the shifter out, more on this in a second. then lay the top piece over the spacers, and on top of the area where the console bolts in. you need to drill a hole to match the console hold down bolt hole in the top piece. then bolt the pieces together with 2.5" long 5/16 bolts using the factory inserts, and the bolt that holds in the console. you only use 3 of the shifter inserts, and the one that holds in the console. then drop the shifter in on top of the upper piece, mark where it needs to be, and drill and tap (1/4") holes to mount the shifter in the top plate. i found the shifter sits right in the center and doesn't interfere with the 5/16 bolts holding the "sandwiched" pieces together, but i considered using recessed machine screws in this area if it did interfere. the shifter cable fits right in the factory hole. i cut the crap out of the cover that comes with the shifter, so all thats left is the top and about 1/3 of the sides, so it would fit over the shifter in the confines of the console. it took some fitting. then i made a piece of thin sheet aluminum that fits over the opening in the console, and around the shifter cover, so it really looks pretty darn good. it did take some time to trim and fit. i then made an electrical harness that plugged into the factory harness, and hooked into the shifters neutral and revers switches, no splicing, no new holes. i hope this isn't totally confusing, its actually more simple than it sounds, and looks pretty clean. i did take pictures, but they are still in my camera, undeveloped (i know, pretty 20th century, huh ) if this made any sense, cool, if you have any questions, i'll try to answer them. hope it helps [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[67camss/rs]

kool & 68rs, thanks for the info.Quite some detail in your post 68rs.Soon as I get the time, will try and go thru your directions with a cardboard mock-up, if possible, and see what happens.If I run into problems will let you guys know. [img]graemlins/beers.gif[/img]