Any interesting shifter knobs out there?

[NarfBLAST]

Thinking about making a custom shift knob replacement out of an old Thrustmaster joystick.

 

[Bob_Fout]

I had one of those! I flew A/V-8B Harriers with it

 

[NarfBLAST]

I flew my car tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnhrkf_44hM

 

[velociT]

Too funny. Now you just need sidewinder missiles behind the headlights for left-lane campers.

 

[oldpoopie]

if you could make the thumb joystick controll Ipod selection or something... LOL

 

[otm646]

initially i thought it was a genuinely silly idea, but the idea of a multi function switch on an automatics shift knob would not be such a bad idea. RF ipod controler and the like.

The buttons would certanly get in the way of the heel-toe / double clutch shifting.

 

[NarfBLAST]

initially i thought it was a genuinely silly idea, but the idea of a multi function switch on an automatics shift knob would not be such a bad idea. RF ipod controler and the like.

Indeed... come over to the dark side. I probably won't have time to move forward with hooking up the buttons (maybe never). Its actually really fun to just pretend you have secret weapons.

The buttons would certanly get in the way of the heel-toe / double clutch shifting.

Surprisingly, even on my one quick test drive, I quickly found that I was shifting without touching any buttons... (I did the video below after the test drive, hence the "its fantastic" commment in the video) Will post a live action daylight video when the wife/kids will allow.

 

[Got Bearings?]

I flew my car tonight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnhrkf_44hM

You talk funny!

 

[NarfBLAST]

How about these functions...

 

[Jeece]

Too funny. Now you just need sidewinder missiles behind the headlights for left-lane campers.

Or for those pesky snipers hidden behind overpasses/signs with their laser/doppler "guns", those are tough... They never miss you no matter how fast you go. In fact they tend not to notice slower targets.

Very clever mod, Narf. Just resist the temptation/reflex of using combos while driving: Down-Down-Left-Up-Down-Right. I'd seriously consider to hook one of those button to a set of rear fog lights to deter tailgaters.

How's the reverse shift by the way? Not too hard to achieve?

Now you just need the thrust joystick to control with your left hand. Everybody prepare for ludicrous speed!

 

[NarfBLAST]

Very clever mod, Narf. Just resist the temptation/reflex of using combos while driving: Down-Down-Left-Up-Down-Right.

LOL! Yeah what is the cheat code that removes all other cars from the road again?

I'd seriously consider to hook one of those button to a set of rear fog lights to deter tailgaters.

Yeah, I found a spare horn in basement and I was thinking of hooking it up under the rear bumper with the "extra brake lights" from the 5 brake light mod to provide a rear horn with brake lights! I figure this would effective and also less likely to be ticketed for.

How's the reverse shift by the way? Not too hard to achieve?

No problem at all. It is scary how well it fits.

 

[Brian.Burress]

If I were able to get a cyclic grip out of an Apache that somehow didn't have to return to the supply system, I would do something very similar. (Once I get my manual transmission, that is)

Mine would have much more buttons, though. I'll try to post a picture of one from work, if I am able to cut out the rest of the crewstation from the pic. Sorry guys, it's classified. Not allowed to show pics of the interior.

-Brian

 

[NarfBLAST]

Added OEM hat switch...

 

[TT71]

Yup, Winter is definitely setting in.
All kidding, aside job well done. When you get this mod to operate sidewinder missile and maybe a couple of .50 cal chainguns let me know. I'll defintely want it for my 06

 

[Stringer]

This made my day

Added OEM hat switch...

 

[Louis_TDI]

That's such a cool mod all it need is the I pod controls

 

[FlyTDI Guy]

Added OEM hat switch...

Too funny....

I've got an old ThrustMaster exactly like that... Hmmm...

 

[Revolutionary_mind]

Nitrous button? This may be one of the nerdiest things I have seen in awhile.. But also one of the coolest! Now that is creative thinking. I bet it has a good feel while shifting?

 

[kooyajerms]

Take the oem hatswitch off!! MY EYES! MY EYES!

I love the whisper "it's fantastic". Can't stop laughing like an idiot, at my office, by myself, looking at my screen.

Added OEM hat switch...

 

[NarfBLAST]

LOL... I put the "OEM hatch switch" back on the original shifter and put it back, I couldn't stand the rattling buttons, the long throws and the weird shape any longer. Actually it was only in the car a couple of weeks, and I only pulled it out to fix the rattling buttons and perhaps add a small remote to power a 12V relay... but alas... it never went back in...

...but I will always have the memories of that first night in the car together, and the video.

 

[NarfBLAST]

ScanguageII Inteface Project Start

Update: dusted off the thrustmaster and applied a liberal ammount of dielectric grease to each button: no more rattle, but the buttons still click. Moving forward I need to:

1) Build a wiring harness for the shifter side.

2) Build command module, where all the wires will terminate initially at bread board, probably with some LEDs, so I can test the switches.

3) Open my spare ScangaugeII (wife's car, my idea ) and run wires for all the buttons to the outside of the case to the command module. Edit: After sleeping on it, I think it might be easier to use some relays with exposed mechanical arms to "press" the buttons remotely and save having to crack the case on the Scangauge.

 

[Louis_TDI]

If your going to go trough all that trouble might ass well crack the Scangauge. Come on you can do it.
Post up a video when your done

 

[NarfBLAST]

One year later...

Wired the buttons:

Hot glued everything away from shift stalk:

Tested with 12V relay and LEDs on bread board:

Next:

wire top hat with second 8 wire flat ribbon cable with RJ45 connector

 

[NarfBLAST]

Need to keep the momentum going:

Four new switches installed into top hat housing and wired:

Tested:

Thrustmaster Shifter Knob wiring: check


Next: deciding whether to connect to Scanguage, power mirrors, horn, high beams, ignition, or ?

 

[NarfBLAST]

Installed a push button ignition on the shifter, details here: Push button ignition installed, pictures!

Hope this is not considered double posting, the push button ignition just happened to get installed on the thrustmaster shifter.

When I get the Scangauge Button Interface working I would like to post updates in this thread.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=288052

 

[CALL911]

Pretty sweet idea NarfBLAST. Being a military pilot I have used that (near same) flight stick while flying. For some reason I can't help but think the angle of using it as a shifter would not feel right. Almost like it should sit higer, or me sit lower. How does it feel going through the gears?

Anyways, since your original post was "Any interesting shifters out there?", I thought I would post my shifter (from my Camaro).

 

[CALL911]

sorry for the huge pic

 

[NarfBLAST]

Pretty sweet idea NarfBLAST. Being a military pilot I have used that (near same) flight stick while flying. For some reason I can't help but think the angle of using it as a shifter would not feel right. Almost like it should sit higer, or me sit lower. How does it feel going through the gears?

That is funny, it does actually sit a couple of inches taller than the original so it shifts pretty nice you just have to grab it in the middle instead from the top like a normal shifter.

Anyways, since your original post was "Any interesting shifters out there?", I thought I would post my shifter (from my Camaro).

Definitely an interesting shifter! Thanks for the pic!

 

[NarfBLAST]

Update: my ignition broke so I wired the Thrustmaster up for push button start, details here: Push button ignition installed, pictures!


I actually did this a year ago, just tying up some loose threads

 

[NarfBLAST]

Update: finally a decent video of the Thrustmaster in action!

0:48
Thrustmaster Shifts thru all Five Gears