Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Installations » Steering mounted gearshifts « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 623
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 4:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have installed numerous cb's and amps on my friends, neighbors, and relatives vehicles, mostly older fords with the gearshift on the steering column. With these new smaller japanese and american vehicles with the gearshift on the xmission hump, there is little room for the radio, and amp, to breathe. I need to find out the remainder of American passenger cars that still have column mounted gearshifts. Off hand, I know that the older Ford Taurus, Crown Victoria, and the Mercury Marquis still have the center xmission hump open and available for easy installs, and since I'm compiling a list, of these type of cars for my friends, any other recommendations as far as vehicles with column mounted shifters would be appreciated. This also goes for any foreign passenger cars also. With these new smaller late model vehicles being produced, you're just limited to driving. Reaching for, and trying to talk on a cb radio can get you killed. Thanks in advance.
Wolverine.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1272
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 1:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My favorite passenger cars of all time and perfect for mounting tons of radios and remarkable ground planes.
Chevy Impala 1994-1996
Chevy Caprice Classic 90's models

Nowadays the benchseat is not very popular so buckets are perfect for a gearshift in the middle. Good luck finding a new car beside maybe certain Cadilacs and Buicks ,you know like luxury cars. Then again even Cadillac is using the auto clutch type shifters on the hump. I do know most Luxury SUV's and trucks with automatic trannys have column shifters. Such as the Ford Explorer, Chevy Suburban, Cadillac Escalade and work trucks of all kinds.
I had to compromise my stereo and glove compartment cause I have a sloped dash that is soft and no room at all between the buckets. Even with the radio in dash its hard to see the temp control display and its a tight fit between the radio and shift for my hand!
You can use a slipseater if you wanted and set it in the floorboard and if you have skill you can do some creative fabricating with the dash.
Last resort I would use one of the hide away units under the seat and maybe a small amp. I really detest those little radios but it beats a blank.
Or you can just breakout the sawsall and make a place in the dash! Just look out for the airbags! BOOM!!!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 626
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 6:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ha,Ha, Ha,Ha, I never thought of the air bags deploying. Chevy's huh, okay thanks for the tips Hotwire.
Wolverine.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine

Post Number: 627
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 9:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm going to have to look into some G.M. vehicles,and I don't want to limit myself to just cars. Thanks for the tip.
Wolverine.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1287
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, May 03, 2006 - 2:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah don't mount a radio on top the passenger side airbag! Imagine being slapped with a Cobra 148. Having one launched at your head is not going to feel to nice!LOL
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

The_bandit
Junior Member
Username: The_bandit

Post Number: 28
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 2:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just purchased a 2003 Impala... it has the shifter on the column

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: