I switched to an s4 in my sandcar and am at the point of installing shifter cables. I measured 67 and kartek only sells a 66” and a 69”, so I went with the 69” of course. Upon arrival i fit it in the shifter and turns out its way too long and the 66” would have been perfect. Going to exchange for 66” cables, but my question is, the seat belt brackets are right in the way for a straight shot at the shifter. Has anyone ever ran an offset bracket of some sort to be able to run the shifter cable about an inch or so outside of the shifter on the trans. Or would there be any problem with doing this? Thanks in advance. Also if anyone has some do’s and donts for setting up these shifter cables on an s4 im all ears. I read on weddles website their how to but real world advice helps as well
Shifter cable offset
- Thread starter Trevor
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John@Outfront
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- Apr 30, 2021
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Is that a 2" throw cable? if yes that is almost not enough throw. the shifter arm moves almost 1" in both directions that means you must center the "throw of the cable" exactly with the bulkhead nuts so you have 1" in and 1" out. very common mistake The cable can bottom out before the shift is executed all the way. control cables in SantaFe springs will make any length cable to your specs and they can even make a custom cable that has 2.5" of throw (which i have in my car) the shifter brand could dictate what throw you need (2 or 3") because of the way it mounts but if your shifter needs a 2" throw buy a custom 2.5 throw cable the exact length you need
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Yes it is a 2” throw cable, I bought based on these directions as well as the advice of the gentleman at kartek.
Makes sense what you are saying though a little added throw could add some room for adjustment you could just adjust the stops on your shifter where the shift is fully complete. Theres a cable shop here in town in san diego maybe ill have him make me a few cables and just return these kartek ones
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John@Outfront
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- Apr 30, 2021
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been there done that best thing you could do is get the better cable
with 2.5 " of throw you get a 1/4" extra in both directions for cable stretch etc control cables 562-949 0455
tell them you want a 2" throw cable but make it a 2.5" of movement they know exactly what you need and how to make it!!
then first step is the attach the cable to the tranny, move sheath to center of the 2.5" and install the cable mounting tab. then set ti up at the shifter
there is a small chance you need to redrill the holes for the plate that holds the cable so it can fit properly
bottom line is that shifter would have been better to have been designed around a 3" throw cable but issues were not found until later
there are lots of trannys out there that have been destroyed because shops thought the shist was made properly thinking the shifter arm got fully extended when it really was the cable topping out!
with 2.5 " of throw you get a 1/4" extra in both directions for cable stretch etc control cables 562-949 0455
tell them you want a 2" throw cable but make it a 2.5" of movement they know exactly what you need and how to make it!!
then first step is the attach the cable to the tranny, move sheath to center of the 2.5" and install the cable mounting tab. then set ti up at the shifter
there is a small chance you need to redrill the holes for the plate that holds the cable so it can fit properly
bottom line is that shifter would have been better to have been designed around a 3" throw cable but issues were not found until later
there are lots of trannys out there that have been destroyed because shops thought the shist was made properly thinking the shifter arm got fully extended when it really was the cable topping out!
SeanRitchie
Well-known member
- May 6, 2021
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You could probably make a spacer out of a longer bolt and some small tubing between the cable rod end and shift arm. There wouldn't be much flex if any. You just need to make sure the bolt and nuts stay tight or your shifting will not work right and can damage the dogs on the gears. Loctite and a double jam nut on the bolt threads would be the proper way to do it.
You have a Gen 1/Gen 2 shift housing on that S4, the actual cable throw to shift the trans is typically somewhere around 7/8", but this is not always consistent on these older units. You will need to use the shift lever stops at the shifter on this or it can jump gears (shift twice with one pull). These can be a little finicky to set up properly, especially if that shift housing has not been well "tuned" to shift as best as it can.
You have a Gen 1/Gen 2 shift housing on that S4, the actual cable throw to shift the trans is typically somewhere around 7/8", but this is not always consistent on these older units. You will need to use the shift lever stops at the shifter on this or it can jump gears (shift twice with one pull). These can be a little finicky to set up properly, especially if that shift housing has not been well "tuned" to shift as best as it can.
