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Can I keep my 4 speed shifters?


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When most people do the EA81 4 speed to EA82 5 speed conversion, they use the 5 speed shifters as well. I don't want to do that.

 

I've gone to the trouble of finding a nice clean unmolested interior, I pulled it out of a sedan I wrecked, it had the full 6 gauge cluster and centre console and since I'm trying to get the restoration on my little Brumby looking as stock as possible, I really don't want to go back to the original centre console or cut up my new centre console. What I would like to do is keep the original shifters and have them mounted in the original place. The sedan I wrecked had a 5 speed FWD box in it, so I have a factory 5 speed gear shifter knob to keep it in theme.

 

Has anyone done the conversion keeping their old 4 speed shifters and what did you need to modify to do so?

Edited by Al Zhiemer
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Yes, this is pretty common and I have the same setup as you (5 speed box with 4 speed shifter + GLF-5 knob). It's been several years, but I recall needing to weld the 5 speed linkage to the 4 speed shifter and BFH the top of the transmission tunnel slightly flatter than stock to avoid clearance issues. I think Jerry makes a kit for this ?

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Sweet... I knew it could be done but wasn't sure of how difficult it was or what exactly needed modifying.

 

I've got all the parts, plus more than I need, apart from the modified flywheel, but I'm hoping when I drop the gearbox to have the larger flywheel as all the ones I have already out are the smaller one :-( BUMMER

 

Next time I'm home... 5 Speed conversion and fit the power steering :-)

 

Once that's done I'll have A/C; Power Windows; Power Steering and 5 speed. Just a 2" lift kit and tyres, and to rebuild a motor for Ruby to go for the mechanicals. Plan is to get the engine bay tidied up and painted while the engine is out, then down the track, get the little bit of rust cut out and resprayed.

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The way I'm about to do this is use the L series gear selector and weld up the 4wd lever to keep the Brumby's factory 4wd lever.

 

Now wishing I got a factory 5 speed gear knob - I didn't think about that all those years ago when glf5 coupes were in the parts yards...

 

We've got the same list of mods in one of our Brumbys, the second one is the up and coming, basically headed in the same direction ;)

Some things you're "missing" on your list are intermittent wipers and the 6 gauge cluster/long dash and aftermarket additions of cruise control (best mod ever if you drive a lot!) and (on day to be remote) central locking ;)

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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you can keep the 4wd lever just cut and weld to proper length.

 

But the gear shifter will need to be an adapted 5-spd unit. (since the 4-spd shifter is integral to the rear of trans)

 

Can cut and weld the chrome post but other wise no difference.

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Bennie, I already have the intermittent wipers and 6 gauge instrument cluster fitted. Will have a scratch through my spare parts, think I may have a spare 5 speed shifter knob laying around, if I have, is yours for the cost of postage if you want it.

 

A side project is gutting "L" series mirrors and attempting to put the electric motor into a spare set of Brumby mirrors to make electric mirrors for it. Not sure if it'll work but I'm going to give it a go.

 

Cruise control may make its way in there oneday but Ruby is just a glorified dog box and kayak rack and doesn't get driven much and when I average 20,000kms/month for work, on the rare occassions I am home, for some strange reason driving isn't high on my list of things to do LOL

Edited by Al Zhiemer
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A side project is gutting "L" series mirrors and attempting to put the electric motor into a spare set of Brumby mirrors to make electric mirrors for it. Not sure if it'll work but I'm going to give it a go.

I was going to do the same but using a set of VL commo electric mirrors as they were square and slim - and back then readily available in the parts yards. But I never got around to this, it was the last mod to do on Sunnie the Brumby in the comfort department for my mother inlaw - but she's pretty happy with the way it is. We've now upgraded the factory seats to Honda Integra DA9 units. They fit really well, look good and "hug" you when you sit in them :D

 

Glad to hear you've got the 6 gauge and intermittent wipers. These two things are what I need to do with my brumby, but finding a good dashboard to house the 6 gauge in is proving difficult on a small budget...

 

Best of luck with the mirrors, I reckon it'd be a sweet little addition to the brumby modernisation project! My other issue is also where to put the switches for the electric mirrors as the Auto up/down window switch takes up one prime location just near the ignition barrel and on the other side of the column has the driving light's switch.

 

I'm also gearing up for the 5 speed conversion on Sunnie the Brumby, I think I've got everything I need except for time :/

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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Bennie, I've got a reasonably good dash in a wagon up the back if you want it? It has the crappy digital dash though so you would need to find the 6 gauge analogue cluster. Pretty sure it has the intermittent wipers in it as well. Am always in and out of Singleton NSW for work and could deliver it that far if you know of anyone there that I could drop it off to until you can get and pick it up. Sure we could work out a deal. If you are interested I will have a good look at it and send you some pics if you want.

 

I've put my window switches into the doors and left them in the centre console, all switches are located in factory positions.

 

Driving light switches I mounted in the old radio holes with the big opening being where I mounted the Parrot bluetooth screen. No cutting necessary, which was the main goal as like I said, finding a good dash that hasn't been molested is hard to come by.

 

I have a couple of Recaro seats from a previous project that will eventually find their way in to Ruby.

 

Cheers

 

Al

Edited by Al Zhiemer
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Hey Al,

 

That would be awesome but I don't know anyone in that area or who frequents that area :( I've got the 6 gauge cluster and matching wiring, I just don't have the dash to house it in...

 

The 5spd shifter knob would be awesome though if you've got one! My mother in law needs one - she once drove my L series for 2hrs in 4th at 100kmph because her brumby was a four speed!

 

Cheers

 

Bennie

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