I made some progress with the custom shifter mechanism this weekend.
So, one of the things that really bugged me about doing a T56 swap into a Tahoe/Silverado etc,,, was the fact that most everyone is just using a very long shift lever from the trans all the way up to the center of the console. That distance is roughly 18-19" total length. With having such a long shift lever, it makes the shift throw from gear to gear very long as well. I wanted more of a "car" shifter type feel so I came up with this idea. I've never seen this done before. On the bench it seems to work perfectly but here is my debut for the proto-type shifter. I took a vid with my phone, but it turned out tilted sideways. I'll try to get a better vid tonight showing it operating through the gears. It looks a bit goofy, but it will be fully contained and hidden from view. The only thing you'll see is the leather wrapped Hurst shift knob.
Almost forgot,,, it measures 19" from transmission shift mount to the top of the leather shift knob.
I found a 1/2" drive socket the same size as the shifter cup, bought two of them, machined a slot down the underside of the sockets, then tack welded it onto the cut down stock shifters. This has since been fully welded in place.
Mike
