MTFCA Forum

Has anyone shortened the shift lever on a Layne Warford. If so what length is good,can it be done with out removing the shift assembly? This will make climbing in & out a bit easier.
Thanks in advance for your help.
John Monticciolo
Oscoda, Michigan
24 C Cab Truck

John, I didn't shorten mine. I bent it back further and added about 6" so it nestles next to my knee. No reaching, no problems getting in.

Allan from down under.

I did mine too 6 inches off. Put it in neutral unscrew the cap lift it up. Shorten it then reinstall. I did it on a 26-27 roadster pickup because I couldn’t get over it entering the car from the passenger side. The driver’s side is pretty useless with the spare in the way.

I also have a Layne Warford in my '26 Roadster Pickup. I don't have a problem getting in or out on the right side, but when driving on a tour, the shift knob hits my right knee just right to be quite uncomfortable. I'm thinking of bending the shift lever about 2" to the right with the bend to be about 6" above the floor. Has anyone done something like this?
Other than that, I really like the Layne Warford!
Thanks,
Keith

I have seen the shifter as short as 8" on a speedster. Leave it high enough to comfortably shift on the fly.

I did shorten the shifter, I bought a car with a KC Warford in it that had been rolled and the reason that it rolled is because it got knocked into neutral because the shifter stuck up above the seat so I modified it so it no longer sticks way up there. One thing it does do is shorten the throw of the shifter and it takes a little getting use to.

This is a cast iron warford that was always in my way. I heated the solid rod with the top bend first and then the lower bend about two inches to the right. It is still full height but easy to get in and out and not in my way. Frank

On my 27 touring I reversed the shifter in the housing. Just remove the shifter, turn it 180 degrees and re-install. It will fit either way. That makes it sit close to the seat. Then I shortened it so the top of the shift knob is at the top of seat cushion or slightly above it. Leave it just tall enough so you can use the palm of your hand to "bump shift" it and not hit the seat cushion with your hand and be low enough so you leg can slide over it when getting in or out of the car.. When I get out of the car my leg will slide "over" the shifter and it does not interfere with getting in or out. With the shift knob sitting close to, and protected by the seat cushion, there is less chance for it to get knocked out of gear by accident. It has worked very well for my 27 touring. You may need to slightly bend the shifter to get the knob to sit where you need it on different years or body styles. I just heated the shifter shaft with a torch and slightly bent it to be how I wanted it to sit when in second and third gear.