Anyone mounted a hi/lo/turbo shifter?

[Minwah]

With reference to this shifter:

http://www.happcontrols.com/driving/50801700e.htm

I was planning to mount mine underneath the CP, without the metal 'High / Low' plate on the top of the panel.  I thought I would take the thing apart, and re-assemble when the main housing is bolted to the CP, however I am not too keen to remove the pivot part (50-8346-00) as I think there is a risk of losing the cable from the turbo button inside the metal shaft...as far as I can tell the cable has to be pushed inside the shaft in order to slide off this plastic piece. I think it might be almost impossible to retrieve the cable once re-assembled...

Does anyone have any tips? I suppose most people would just mount the 'normal' way which doesn't require the shifter to be taken apart...

[hatrick]

I have one of these at home, but I've never looked that closely at it. At one point I was just collecting different shifters since I didn't know which one would work best on a mame driving cab.
I wonder if you could just replace the original wires with your own that were longer so there would be no risk of losing them in the shaft?
If I can remember, I'll take a closer look at mint tonight.

[Minwah]

I wonder if you could just replace the original wires with your own that were longer so there would be no risk of losing them in the shaft?

It's not really the length of the wire that is the problem, it's the fact that the plastic part I mentioned is a snug fit over the metal shaft, and (as far as I can tell) the cable must be pushed into the shaft completely to allow the plastic part to slide off (you'll see what I mean).

[hatrick]

I dug my shifter out last night with the intention of taking it apart to research your question, but it was just too hot in the garage to be in there last night. It's sitting on my bench with the security bits beside it waiting for me to take it apart, I just need to wait until it's a bit cooler in the garage.

[Minwah]

OK no problem, I think I have come to a decision.  I am going to top mount the shifter (as intended), but I am going to remove (probably cut off) the 'low/high' plate. Then I will paint black the silver metal plate of the shifter. Finally I plan to apply some (fairly simple) artwork to this plate - ie use custom artwork rather than using the supplied metal plate, which looks a bit too 'generic' for my taste.

I think it probably could be bottom mounted, I just don't want to risk ending up with no turbo!

[SavannahLion]

I must be missing an obvious point here. From looking at the diagram couldn't you either A: tie a piece of twine or heavy duty fishing line to the cable, push it up in the shaft, remove parts, then pull the line to snake the cable back through? or B: Remove the turbo button, pull the wire out with it. Then resnake it back through at some point during reassembly?

[leapinlew]

I don't blame you - I was scared to take mine apart too. I top mounted it. Applying artwork would be nice though. This is what mine looked like

[Minwah]

I must be missing an obvious point here. From looking at the diagram couldn't you either A: tie a piece of twine or heavy duty fishing line to the cable, push it up in the shaft, remove parts, then pull the line to snake the cable back through? or B: Remove the turbo button, pull the wire out with it. Then resnake it back through at some point during reassembly?

A) Maybe, if I had some fishing line. It would have to be very fine though, since the plastic is quite a tight fit over the shaft. It might even cut the line especially when putting it back together,

B) Probably, but it is not obvious how to get the turbo button out.

Obviously it is possible, and I am not usually afraid to take things apart. Just trying to avoid any headaches!

[Minwah]

I don't blame you - I was scared to take mine apart too. I top mounted it. Applying artwork would be nice though. This is what mine looked like

Looks good! Same as mine except the labels on mine are 'Low' and 'High'.

I went ahead and cut the panel for top-mounting the thing. Looks fine. I can't wait to try this panel but I'm being restrained and am now painting the panel. I'm not sure if I can be restrained enough to design/print/apply the artwork too though....

[SavannahLion]

I must be missing an obvious point here. From looking at the diagram couldn't you either A: tie a piece of twine or heavy duty fishing line to the cable, push it up in the shaft, remove parts, then pull the line to snake the cable back through? or B: Remove the turbo button, pull the wire out with it. Then resnake it back through at some point during reassembly?

A) Maybe, if I had some fishing line. It would have to be very fine though, since the plastic is quite a tight fit over the shaft. It might even cut the line especially when putting it back together,

I think that's what I'm missing the point on. The diagram gives the appearance that the shaft is actually comprised of two (or even three) different diameter shafts, one within the other. The wire looks like it comes out between the largest diameter and the next smaller size. Therefor, I'm being led to believe the fact that the smaller diameter shaft has enough wriggle room to allow the wire slip out of 50-8346-00 without cutting it. Also why does the wire have two part numbers? Is there a metal jacket on the wire or something?

I'm just looking at the diagram, I don't actually have that shifter, so I really should shut up about it.

[Minwah]

I think that's what I'm missing the point on. The diagram gives the appearance that the shaft is actually comprised of two (or even three) different diameter shafts, one within the other. The wire looks like it comes out between the largest diameter and the next smaller size.

It is actually the same shaft, with 'step downs' in it.  The plastic 'pivot' part sits on the middle section. The wire actually just comes out of a hole in the side of the shaft.

Therefor, I'm being led to believe the fact that the smaller diameter shaft has enough wriggle room to allow the wire slip out of 50-8346-00 without cutting it. Also why does the wire have two part numbers? Is there a metal jacket on the wire or something?

Yes the wire actually has a compressed spring sleeve around it, probably ~3mm in diameter.

I'm just looking at the diagram, I don't actually have that shifter, so I really should shut up about it.

Haha, no, appreciate your input!

I tried poking the wire (with sleeve) into the shaft. I think it probably is possible to do this, slide the plastic part off and then do in reverse. My concern was that as the hole in the shaft is very small, it might be awkward to retrieve the cable. But that said, with some needle nose pliers or tweezers it might be easy enough - hard to say without just doing it!