You could but once you feel the neutral detent and the indicators both show you're in neutral the natural thing to do is to release the trigger, right? I've been using mine for about a month and haven't had any concerns about going from drive to reverse without stopping in neutral. Another nice thing I like about this slap shifter is the ability of going back and forth from drive to second without squeezing the trigger. In those cases where you want go to from drive to 2nd without a full throttle down shift or squeezing the trigger you can just tap the handle and you're in 2nd gear. Some of you street racers might likes this?
Ray answered your question well. I'll just add that my new detent has no change at the Park, R, and N positions. As you can see in the photo that was posted earlier, that section of the plate has no change. There is an upper positive stop at the 2nd gear position, and a lower positive stop at the 3rd gear position. Each are simply to keep from overshifting when "slap" or "bump" shifting. The stop at the 3rd gear position keeps you from accidentally going to N, and you simply squeeze the handle a little to move forward from the 3rd gear position. If you have a suggestion of a change, I can custom make a detent with whatever features you want to add, or delete. I hope we've answered your question, but if you want, please call me at 573-248-1389. I'll be glad to discuss. A shift kit in the transmission helps with the fun factor. Dan
Update: I've completed the design of the True Slap TSB4 detent, with the help and input from a couple of men with Buicks. It's for the 4 speed overdrive transmissions and I'll be getting the computer files for CNC laser cutting made. After that, they can be cut and available for sale. The first laser cut samples for the standard and reverse pattern 3 speed detents will be cut for me in about 2 weeks. I'm still making them by hand, as time allows. Dan
Ken Warner, thanks for your interest in my product. The lead time I was given at the supplier yesterday was 8 weeks, or so. That's probably if the samples I'll get in about 2 weeks are good. I'll send a PM. Dan
Dan asked me to test the new TSB4 detent plate and cross bar. Worked perfect. I have the 700R4. I'm using the Shift Works cable and Tran's cable pan bracket/shift lever. Installed Dan's detent plate. Worked the first try. Never had to readjust the cable under the car. Very happy with his plate. Slap 1 to 2, 2 to 3. Pull lever , release. then slap to 4th. Thanks Dan.
Dan, Great Job. What about us guys from 65 to 67? I know you can do it! LOL. Really, if you could come up with a ratchet shift plate that would work with the factory shifter? We could keep our consoles looking stock but could get the job done at the same time. I am running a turbo 350 now but once that grenades I have a st 400 to put in its place. I WANT ONE! Let me know if it happens. Thanks, Lou
Thanks for your interest. I'll need to find a shifter to work with. Do you know of anyone that may have a spare to loan out for R&D? Dan
Since your interested I will work on finding one. If I still cant find one, I will lend you mine this winter. One way or the other I will need it back for spring. Lou
Dan, got my slap stick installed in my 70 GS. It seemed to take too hard a slap to get it to go to 2nd and not go on to 3rd. You have to remember us old Buick boys, are normally shifting easy so as to not miss a gear. I need to re-program my mind. Think I have fixed it by cutting the original springs in the handle. My stock springs were 1.2 inches, I cut the down to .90 and the bar does not drop so fast and you do not need to slap it so hard. Have not road tested yet but seems to work OK, Thanks, Bill Sangster.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm finding that some of these shifters have had stiffer handle springs installed by previous owners at some point in the last 50 years. Stiffer springs than factory are detrimental to the function. If you had to do more than a bump, like shown in my videos, I would suspect non-factory springs to be the culprit. The shifter I have works great, and requires less of a slap than the Chevrolet shifters. Dan
I have about 12 laser cut TSB3 detent and crossbar sets available. I also have several of the TSB3R reverse pattern detents. Please call 573-248-1389 or send an email. I can accept credit cards and PayPal. I'll post a for sale ad here in the forums. Dan dpjfabts3@gmail.com
