Short throw shifters for 523/568

[4 l-bodies]

I was looking on the Neon forums for some feedback on the multiple short throw shifters that are out in the market. These will fit our TD's that have 523/543/568's in them. Maddog,TWN Performance, Mopar STS seem to be the most popular. Others like B&M, Fidanza, and the Chinese knockoffs are also out there. I also seem to remember one style that had a threaded ball on it to adjust the fulcrum point. Can't remember who made that one. Anyone have any real world experience with any of them used in our older school TD's?
Todd

[jl93sundance]

personally i'd go maddog, I drove a 1g neon with that sts, needless to say i'm going to be buying one for my 523 I had a fidenza in my sundance, it was shorter, but no comparison to the maddog in the neon.

[glhs727]

Hurst and B&M no longer make the neon shifter......Fidanza is great for the price, the maddog is very nice buy 3 times the cost. I use both (on different cars of course), plus Jackson Simler also makes a custom STS for the a568/a523
later
Cindy

[Murphy]

I had to modify my shifter base to really take advantage of my adjustable STS

[BadAssPerformance]

I recommend MadDog, he's a T-M Vendor

[4 l-bodies]

Okay did a search for Maddog on this forum. Didn't realize he was a TM vendor. Found some pics of his STS for 520/555's. He raises the fulcrum point quite a bit. I've installed six 555 and 568's into L-bodies and getting it to fit under the stock boot/console is already tight (without raising the fulcrum point). Has anybody successfully fit a Maddog STS into a L-body and retained the stock boot /console? I personally don't see how it would fit without changing the boot at least.
Todd

[4 l-bodies]

I recommend MadDog, he's a T-M Vendor

Good to know JT. I PM'd him on this thread.
Todd

[rx2mazda]

I highly recommend Jackson Simler aka Lotashelbys. I have had one of his STS in my R/T for awhile and I love it. I can go compare the height to the stocker since I have my interior out right now, lmk.

[Turbo3Iroc]

The Jackson shifter is a very nice piece!

[shelbydave]

Okay did a search for Maddog on this forum. Didn't realize he was a TM vendor. Found some pics of his STS for 520/555's. He raises the fulcrum point quite a bit. I've installed six 555 and 568's into L-bodies and getting it to fit under the stock boot/console is already tight (without raising the fulcrum point). Has anybody successfully fit a Maddog STS into a L-body and retained the stock boot /console? I personally don't see how it would fit without changing the boot at least.
Todd

I had to change the boot, but I used the one that came with the shifter so the boot now extends up to the shift knob.
Looking at MadDogs pictures, it would probably work IF you did change the boot. from what I recall, just changing to the 523 shifter caused inteference problems with my stock boot, and it looked goofy. I had to mess with the placement quite a bit to get it as close to stock as possible.

I didn't buy a sts, just made my own. I just move the ball up about an inch, and lengthened the gate lever by about 1/2 inch. I had to use spacers for everything to clear.

[4 l-bodies]

I had to change the boot, but I used the one that came with the shifter so the boot now extends up to the shift knob.
Looking at MadDogs pictures, it would probably work IF you did change the boot. from what I recall, just changing to the 523 shifter caused inteference problems with my stock boot, and it looked goofy. I had to mess with the placement quite a bit to get it as close to stock as possible.

I didn't buy a sts, just made my own. I just move the ball up about an inch, and lengthened the gate lever by about 1/2 inch. I had to use spacers for everything to clear.

Dave, all good info thank you. Yeah like I said the stock 520/523 shifter barely fits (and requires massaging). Car is in storage at the moment, but if I recall barely clears the stock boot. I think I actually had to trim the three studs that hold down the top aluminum piece. It's that close already.
Many years ago I tried heating a shifter lever up. Got the ball cherry red and it wouldn't budge. Didn't want to wreck the shifter ball so I gave up and never tried it again. Good to know someone was successful. I guess Chrysler didn't want those balls to move!
Todd

[shelbydave]

I think someone on here, or TD.com went before me... I got the idea off one of these forums a couple years ago.
As for placement, I moved the shifter a little forward from what I've seen in the past. I place the ball slightly forward of where the pivot point was for the original shifter, and also put a sharper bend in the shifter rod itself. I don't know how many times that shifter went in and came back out.... Then getting the tabs positioned so the original console could fasten back up... what a PITA!!!

[Sgt Craig]

Maddog all the way.I love the Maddog STS I have in the van.Its the top off the line one with all the bells and whistles.Ive used B&M and Hurst short throws in Neons and they are junk compared to the Maddog.I did have to trim the plastic around the boot area to make it fit.The boot covers up the trimming though.I think im the only van one chuck has made so far.

[Lotashelbys]

Heres a few pics of my 523-543-568 shifter.....

[4 l-bodies]

Thanks for the photos Jackson. Interesting that you raise the frame of the shifter and Maddog raises the ball instead. Both accomplishing the same thing using completely different approach.
Doesn't look like either design will fit in the L-body w/o work to the console, floorpan, and alternate boot. Just not enough room.
Todd

[Turbodave]

Todd, Chuck (Maddog) lives nearby and I've got plenty of L-bodies/consoles around for test fitment if he needs to try and mock something up for you. Have one of his shifters in my daily driver neon and love it.

[4 l-bodies]

Todd, Chuck (Maddog) lives nearby and I've got plenty of L-bodies/consoles around for test fitment if he needs to try and mock something up for you. Have one of his shifters in my daily driver neon and love it.

Dave, thanks for the offer to help with any mock up.
Todd

[Murphy]

I really need to clean that thing up and paint it.

[shelbyplaya]

I got a fidanza and love it. works great!