Type of shifter
 

What is the factory style of shifter called on a 66 GTO. I have a ratchet shifter in the car now that I can't stand. Trans is a turbo 400. Should I order a detent, or gate style? Thanks.

I am pretty sure the factory shifters are Hurst His/Hers shifters, though I could be wrong. I don't know whether to say it is a ratchet or gated style (maybe a bit of both).:confused:

Hmm.. well I am going to order something from summit probably so I guess if anyone has a suggestion that would be great. All I know is the ratchet style is annoying. I just want to be able to push a button and slide it into gear... Does anyone make a factory style shifter that I could use with my console?

Post some pics and we can help you.

I think that the factory Hurst Dual-Gate option started in '67 and was only available for '67 and '68. Doesn't mean it won't fit a '66, it just won't be correct. But unless your car is all numbers matching and original, who cares? Do it. They were put in a lot of other cars. I have one in my '67 goat and I love it.

Depends on what look you want. The 66 is a regular shifter, detent like small stops. The 67 is the his hers a duel pattern, gate for drive and the other side is kind of a slide bar stops on the up and the gate on the down. Kind of hokey you have to lean on the shifter to hit them and can blow through them if not leaning enough. The 67 will fit the earlier cars easier the 68 has a different frame and will fit the later cars easier. Swap meet ones the slide bars wear out and not that good to begin with. Their rebuildable but cost some bucks. They make a new duel gate dosnt look the same but probly works better on the his side

Why order one from Summit if you don't like the ratchet style shifter, you will end up with the same thing you already have. Your best bet would be to search the forums, junkyards and swap meets for a console and shifter out of a 67, as not all 67's had the dual gate, it was an option. It would be an easy way for you to get the type of shifter you want and have a factory look to it.

As far as I know, there is no aftermarket shifter that will fit in our consoles without modification, unlike the Trans Am and Camaros, mustangs etc. If there is one I'd like to know.

Thanks for the info everyone.

'66 had the 2 speed auto, no dual gate. Conversion kits are available from the vendors to adapt a 3 speed trans like your TH400 to the stock shifter and you can use the original console. The Hurst Dual gate shifter came on ALL floor shifted automatic equipped GTO's in '67....the only way to get an automatic without a dual gate was to order the column shift. There were no non-dual gate TH400 floor shifters for the GTO in '67 from the factory. None that I've ever heard of. Swapping over a '67 dual gate shifter would be easy for you, and it is a quality unit that works very well. If yu leave it on the "hers" side of the gate, it's like any other floor shifter, albeit with a bit more quality feel to it. Used ones pop up on ebay, etc. Good luck.

I stand corrected. I thought it was an option on the 67 so please forgive my error.

Thats great info, thanks!! I'm thinking that the factory 2 spd with the conversion kit would be a good choice for me possibly. I looked up the his/hers ones on ebay and all I can say is WOW those are pricey!! The hard part for me here is I want the factory look inside the car but when you can buy a brand new hurst/b&m detent shifter for less then $200 its hard to justify spending so much on the original part. Just going to have to keep my eyes peeled for a good deal I guess.

Quicksilver for me......
 

Hi William,

I am very happy w/ my B & M Quicksilver rachet style shifter controlling my 700R4 trans. and I made it fit my 66 Goat's console w/ a little effort :). I bought mine new from Summit and have driven and raced w/ it for the past nine years.

Les

Hi, William. I think the stock shifter you have with the conversion kit for a three speed would be an excellent choice. It will look stock, your console can remain as-is, and your car will be just as fast as a Dual Gate car. In my case, I keep the dual gate on my '67 in the HERS mode 99.99% of the time. (I've had the car almost 30 years) The HIS gate is more of a novelty than anything else....a TH400 is an excellent transmission, and if the shift points are set where they should be, the car is just as fast when left in "D" as it is when one plays boy racer with the manual side of the gate. Good luck.