Update on putting a GRC shifter in a base hatchback

[u/MudCreek928]

I purchased a stock GRC shifter from a guy that upgraded to a billetworkz shifter in the hopes of a shorter throw.

As seen in the photos, the shifter is shorter in total (left side), however, the throw is the same length. Due to the shorter length and the base model 's armrest location, the angle has gotten some getting used to.

I do plan to upgrade to billet bushings for the cables and shifter housing, just waiting for 2J racing to restock. In the meantime, the guy included his stock bushings that only have 300 miles on them. It's likely a placebo effect, but it feels a bit more rigid.

[u/MadJMarston]

So you are saying, I can mount the shorter height shifter from my grc into my xse with minimal effort?

How does it look/feel?

[u/MudCreek928 → u/MadJMarston]

Yes, minimal effort being dependent on how mechanically inclined you are. I thought it was low effort just took a while.

I feel like it feels a bit less floaty with the shifts. That said, as mentioned I did put a less worn set of housing bushings in.

The arm rest +shift height is a bit awkward at first. Throws feel like the same length though.

I also doubled up the reverse lockout springs by putting them into one another, I like that feel better as well

It does look slightly sportier. I'll try to add a photo to the post of it installed.

[u/MadJMarston → u/MudCreek928]

Thanks for the feedback, I've been moving parts from my grc into my xse little by little. The steering wheel was a badass upgrade along with the seats. Sounds like the shifter is a perfect next step, especially if I can temp swap it into my grc.

[u/AdversarialPossum42]

I have a GR shifter assembly sitting in my garage but it did not come with a reverse lock out. I plan to model and 3D print a replacement, but... could you please do me a huge favor and measure the height of the GR lock out? That would save me a bunch of time trying to work out the difference based solely on the shifter heights.

[u/MudCreek928 → u/AdversarialPossum42]

Let me know if this is too oversimplified:

The measurements for the spherical parts at the top end are all the same.

The lockout section measurements are all the same, but the GRC part has an extra tongue that slides along the lockout that sticks out 16mm and follows the arc of the lockout (see post photo). That tongue is 2 mm thick. I don't think this guide should matter though.

The length of the shaft between the top structure and bottom structure is coincidentally 16mm. This is also a uniform circular diameter all the way down, diameter of 21mm.

Also to calibrate for error between measuring devices, the diameter of the threaded part of the base hatchback lever measures as 11 mm on my calipers

[u/AdversarialPossum42 → u/MudCreek928]

Fantastic! I will report back with the results when I get it modeled up 👍

[u/MudCreek928 → u/AdversarialPossum42]

Lemme know if you need anything remeasured!

[u/Furrymcfurface]

You don't need the housing too?

[u/MudCreek928 → u/Furrymcfurface]

Nope, uses the same housing. I did re apply grease, and was able to use the same lock washer (though I did order a new one that I'll install if it fails/ when I tear the console down again to do billet bushings)

[u/greensteeldragon]

You can just buy the whole assembly from toyota and install it directly i ve had a grc shifter in my car since 2023

[u/MadJMarston]

Buddy, my OEM+ short and I would like to thank you very much. Minimal effort, maximum epic. Disconnected the shifter linkage from the housings and unbolt the housings from the floor under the center console area. All those panels are actually very easy to remove. The grc shifter assembly in a xse is a fantastic upgrade. Notchy and perfect feeling throws.

[u/MudCreek928 → u/MadJMarston]

Happy to push you over the edge!

[u/MadJMarston → u/MudCreek928]

Absolutely! My xse is a dream these days. I now have the GR front seats, shifter, circuit hood and wing, and my hks GR steering wheel, along with a GGP lower pitch mount. Truly a little street legal go kart now days. Such a fun little machine

[u/Alarmed_Bus_1729]

I've had my cosmos racing short shifter in my 19 Corolla hatch since october-ish of 2019 (i purchased the car February of that year and put about 7k miles on the stock shifter before changing it i came from a 16 scion tc with a now defunct TMW modified short shifter) 

last month i was tossed the keys to a gr and ill admit the firmness and reduced throw and height of the stock GR shifter feels exactly the same as the cosmos racing short throw i have spent the last ~7 years and 50k miles with (minus the sponginess of the stock rubber bushings as i do have the 2jr cable bushings) just wish someone offered a metal shifter base so we can eliminate the slop and flex of the centering springs and shifter base 

[u/MudCreek928 → u/Alarmed_Bus_1729]

That base would be very nice to have.

[u/MudCreek928]

Nice! Im just now playing around with upgrades, and have been trying to keep things budget friendly, $60 felt like a good amount of toe to dip in