Can anyone tell me how to unclip the bottom retainer ring that holds the shifter extension. My manual says to unclip it but does not say how. What kind of tool is used?

I always used two or three tiny screw drivers. I would stick them in there and either the ring would drop out, or the lever would come up.

Some might say it is easier to buy another Spider

This thread should help. Scroll up to the pictures http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... ns#p137094

Thanks, I got it off. No going to put it back on. Can't find a short shifter, Mark is out of them and I would on spend $120 anyway. So I have made my own. Love the shorter shifter certainly feels different. I had to take the longer one off so I. Could install my new upper console. I built my own. Came straight down from under the dash instead of it angeling back.

brackie1 wrote:I had to take the longer one off so I. Could install my new upper console. I built my own. Came straight down from under the dash instead of it angeling back.

Pictures?

Here are pics of new dash and upper console. Made it using figured maple veener. Probably not much different than what some of the other guys have done except for the upper console. I brought it straight down from under the dash. Made getting the radio and speaker easier to get in. Also added two new gauges and re-arranged the other parts.

Pretty cool!

I've got to say that is beautiful. Nice Job.

As for shifter extension, my 81 had one with the knob glued on. I finally bought a new one (same type) from Midwest-Bayless for $19 and the full bushing kit for $10. The bushings are nylon. I was told to put the top down straddle the shifter and pull up. That didn't work and seemed like a bad idea, so I finally stuck an awl (or anything sharp and pointed) up there and poked holes in the bushing until it was coming apart. I managed to reached and grab some bits and it finally came free. It is a pretty easy approach is you have nylon bushings.

Then I choose the '83 leather knob from Auto Ricambi because it is a dark brown version of the tan one that came with the '81. I think the dark brown looks nicer and will not get discolored from use.

So that's my story. I'll have to figure out how to do the pics when I have some time.

Now on to fixing the driver's side POWER WINDOW! Electrical is fine...binding? Looks like a pain.

Spiders are beautiful. Ciao.

I finally got the shifter off. Tried to order o e of those shifters from Allison but the did not have any so I took the knob off found a threaded tube that would fit the knob and just places it on the stub. Its loose and spins around but other wise works fine. That is what is in the pic I posted.

Mine is stock, and it spins too, not sure why.

Nice dash too, is that a cap or a new soft dash?

Thanks, yeah my old shifter extension spun as well. I think they were made that why for easy of shifting. One thing I have noticed with the shorter shifter, is that the shift itself feels clunky when shifting. I have talked to some guys with hotrods who went with shorter shifters and they noticed the same thing. Doesn't bother me though.
!
As for the dash. It is an overlay. Thought it turned out well. Was fairly easy to install. Only problem was the head light toggle switch. The overlay did not fit snuggly in that area. Had to jump through some hoops to make the switch post longer so that I could put the nut.

How I stopped the rotation:
I bought my 81 with a black know with the shift pattern. I didn't like that it rotated, so went with dark brown leather 83 knob. Anyway, I also replaced the boot while I was at it. The one I found...can't remember if it was Ricambi or Midwest...or .. Anyway, I realized it grabbed onto the bottom of the chrome shifter extension. That reduced the rotation quite a bit, but allows some which I think is for faster shifting.

Interesting. Since I make my one boots I will look at that idea.

Gene