68 GT convertible project
Still working on the shifter.
I cut the factory bracket off the floor because I needed to make a new shorter bracket.
I used a steel plate and some wood to mock up the location I needed the shifter to be in. I decided to move the shifter over to the passengers side about an 1/8" from where I originally had planned to put it. This will allow me to bolt on an extension to the side of the reverse lockout lever...instead of trying to weld an extension onto the top of it. All I needed to do was take a little material off of the top of the lever so it would clear the bottom of the console top plate.
After I got my measurements I started making a template using a CAD system.(cardboard aided design)
I reinforced the template so it would support the weight of the shifter. Everything seemed to be fitting OK so I went ahead and started making the bracket out of metal.
I cut open the template and transferred it to some 18 gauge sheet metal. My father-in-law gave me a small 30" sheet metal brake a few months ago but I hadn't had a chance to try it out. I bolted it to the work bench and gave it a shot. I think the bracket turned out nice for being my first time making something like this.
Still working on the shifter.
I cut the factory bracket off the floor because I needed to make a new shorter bracket.
I used a steel plate and some wood to mock up the location I needed the shifter to be in. I decided to move the shifter over to the passengers side about an 1/8" from where I originally had planned to put it. This will allow me to bolt on an extension to the side of the reverse lockout lever...instead of trying to weld an extension onto the top of it. All I needed to do was take a little material off of the top of the lever so it would clear the bottom of the console top plate.
After I got my measurements I started making a template using a CAD system.(cardboard aided design)
I reinforced the template so it would support the weight of the shifter. Everything seemed to be fitting OK so I went ahead and started making the bracket out of metal.
I cut open the template and transferred it to some 18 gauge sheet metal. My father-in-law gave me a small 30" sheet metal brake a few months ago but I hadn't had a chance to try it out. I bolted it to the work bench and gave it a shot. I think the bracket turned out nice for being my first time making something like this.