long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter

ron b · 01-22-2011, 09:32 PM

i am going with a long v gate shifter in my 1968 mustang, i have never raced a pistol grip shifted car. i am thinking about going with the pistol grip with the line lock button. what do you guys prefer? thanks ron b

Dinsdale · 01-22-2011, 11:30 PM

I'd go with the pistol grip over the regular verti-gate. The lever to put the shifter into 1st is easier than the older small T-handle type and the pistol grip with the button on the top is more natural to release than a T-Handle with a button on the side which is what I have now. Both are "inline" shifters.

Ben Kallies · 01-23-2011, 09:23 AM

I defintely prefer the pistol grip. It brings the shifter handle up a bit higher, and as previously pointed out, the first gear lever is much easier and more natural to use.

james schaechter · 01-23-2011, 10:29 AM

1st and foremost get a "Long" Vertigate. I prefer the newer pistol grip over the older t handle.

One thing to consider is that if you get a deal on a used "Long Brand" vertigate shifter with the steel stick, and you want to have it upgraded, you can send it in to Long and they will rebuild it and convert it over to a pistol grip. Standard length or 2 inches longer. Pretty reasonable too.

You can also put the pistol grip handle on the standard Long shifter as an option. Not as cool, but workable.

Jody Noble · 01-23-2011, 04:55 PM

Be careful if you put a pistol grip handle on the older "T" handle shifter. The extra leverage puts a lot a strain on the 3/4" of available thread. My shifter broke off right at the base of the threads after a couple seasons.

TOSTO RACING · 01-23-2011, 05:10 PM

Pistol grip you'll love it

ron b · 02-06-2011, 09:29 PM

i am going to order the long pistol grip shifter, the car is a 1968 mustang with a toploader, do you run the standard 12" or the 14'' ? i am thinking about going with the 14". thanks ron b

Dallas Kelly · 02-07-2011, 01:33 AM

Currently have one for sale in the classifieds. It is probably on page 2 by now.

01-22-2011, 09:32 PM	#1
ron b Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter i am going with a long v gate shifter in my 1968 mustang, i have never raced a pistol grip shifted car. i am thinking about going with the pistol grip with the line lock button. what do you guys prefer? thanks ron b

01-22-2011, 11:30 PM	#2
Dinsdale Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 313 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter I'd go with the pistol grip over the regular verti-gate. The lever to put the shifter into 1st is easier than the older small T-handle type and the pistol grip with the button on the top is more natural to release than a T-Handle with a button on the side which is what I have now. Both are "inline" shifters. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Dale Posnick

01-23-2011, 09:23 AM	#3
Ben Kallies Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 107 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter I defintely prefer the pistol grip. It brings the shifter handle up a bit higher, and as previously pointed out, the first gear lever is much easier and more natural to use.

01-23-2011, 10:29 AM	#4
james schaechter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cumming GA Posts: 1,990 Likes: 1,289 Liked 1,430 Times in 298 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter 1st and foremost get a "Long" Vertigate. I prefer the newer pistol grip over the older t handle. One thing to consider is that if you get a deal on a used "Long Brand" vertigate shifter with the steel stick, and you want to have it upgraded, you can send it in to Long and they will rebuild it and convert it over to a pistol grip. Standard length or 2 inches longer. Pretty reasonable too. You can also put the pistol grip handle on the standard Long shifter as an option. Not as cool, but workable. __________________ James Schaechter 3163 STK

01-23-2011, 04:55 PM	#5
Jody Noble Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: n.s. canada Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter Be careful if you put a pistol grip handle on the older "T" handle shifter. The extra leverage puts a lot a strain on the 3/4" of available thread. My shifter broke off right at the base of the threads after a couple seasons.

01-23-2011, 05:10 PM	#6
TOSTO RACING Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: DRAGSTRIP Posts: 886 Likes: 883 Liked 652 Times in 184 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter Pistol grip you'll love it __________________ 5664 GHI/SA 1985 CAMARO RED H/SA 1985 CAMARO BLUE I/SA

02-06-2011, 09:29 PM	#7
ron b Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 134 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter i am going to order the long pistol grip shifter, the car is a 1968 mustang with a toploader, do you run the standard 12" or the 14'' ? i am thinking about going with the 14". thanks ron b

02-07-2011, 01:33 AM	#8
Dallas Kelly Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cleves, OH Posts: 141 Likes: 321 Liked 85 Times in 21 Posts	Re: long shifter, pistol grip or straight shifter Currently have one for sale in the classifieds. It is probably on page 2 by now.