JaMar Super Shifter Coupler For The Dutch

[vanapplebomb]

The JaMar/EMPI Super Shifters are popular with guys who build sand rails and woods-buggies. I never fancied the couplers that you can buy from them. What i really do not like about them is that they lock on with a jam nut. If you are in 1st or 2nd, and you hit a good sized bump and knock the shifter with your arm, that breaks for force between the rod and jam nut...aka, you loose your adjustment and have to pull over to get a wrench out and retighten the jam nut if you want to use 3rd and 4th again. For 50-60 bucks? Really?

After looking online at shift couplers for the JaMar Super Shifter, I decided to build rather than buy. 50-60 bucks for a JaMar coupler...ridiculous if you ask me. I brainstormed some ideas for the adjustable end that mates with the shifter. The factory couplers use a threaded rod and a jam nut. I don't care much for jam nuts. I like things that clamp. I had a length of of 3/4in od 6061 aluminum. I ripped a slot about 2in long down the center of it with a bandsaw. Then I drilled and taped it for 7/16in 20tpi. I had a split 3/4in shaft collar to slip around the aluminum rod and pinch the two threaded halves around the threaded shaft coming out of the shifter box. Pretty, it isn't... but it seems to hold much better than a jam nut set up.

[81pumagtc]

I like it. I fabled bars like this myself for the SAABs. The only difference is that I cut the kerf after the bar was drilled and tapped.

The things were stupid strong. I cut the kerf one then dressed them with an ignition file to clean up the cuts. Bad tradecraft to leave burrs on suspension bits.

Had our anodized gold so they looked cool, too. Used collars that had the adjustment cut at an angle. They were supposed to be the hot ticket, but in my
opinion they were overkill, and much harder to put on. I like yours better...these had to be ordered special from Texas and they took forever!


Dave

[vanapplebomb]

Thanks Dave. If I were going to do this again, I would use a wider bandsaw blade. The thinner one I had wanted to walk on me. I also would have drilled the hole on a lathe instead of free balling it by hand. No matter, the experiment worked, and that is what counts ehy?

I would be interested to see what those hot deals you guys used to get from Texas look like. If you have any pictures, throw them up. Inspiration is always good.

[81pumagtc]

I'll look and see if I have any pictures. They were for antique aircraft.


Dave

[vanapplebomb]

Ooo, antique aircraft. How antique is antique? 40's? 50's?