I’m gearing up for my BAR visit next week and have been digging into my website. After reviewing it, I realized it’s time to add more content. I share a ton of updates on TheFactoryFiveForum.com, but my site needs more detailed posts too—especially about my custom builds.
Customizing My Tremec TKX Shifter
Lately, people have been asking about my shifter setup for the Tremec TKX. Let me tell you, it’s modified—just like everything else in this build (LOL). The stock Factory Five shifter arm is straight and sits pretty high. Honestly, it wasn’t comfortable. It felt too close to the dashboard and stereo, which bugged me.
After digging through forum recommendations, I decided to use the rear-shifter location on the TKX. This setup calls for a slightly longer shifter arm than a mid-mount design. I also wanted the shifter angled toward the driver for better ergonomics. That’s when I stumbled across the Finishline 427 T5 shifter—it checked all the boxes.
The Fun Part: Making It My Own
Here’s where the real fun begins. I liked the Finishline shifter’s lockout mechanism, but it wasn’t functional for my setup, so I removed it. That left a hole where the “T” fits into the shifter, and the collar had a noticeable gap from the removed material. (Check the pics below for the collar difference.) I also had to drill out the mounting holes to 3/8-inch to fit the shifter mount.
Then there was the shift knob issue. Years ago, I bought a knob from Breeze Automotive with a 3/8-24 thread pitch. The Finishline shifter? It’s 1/2-20. Typical me—I grabbed a brand-new part and hacked it up. I sawed off the threads, bought a Grade 5 bolt, and modified it to fit. My buddy Brad, who has a CNC machine in his garage (how cool is that?), shaved down the bolt to slide snugly into the shifter handle. A quick weld made it permanent, and boom—my shifter knob’s thread pitch was good to go.
Solving the Shifter Collar Dilemma
Next up: the collar. I wanted the shift lever to look seamless, like one solid piece. I needed a 2-inch tube with a 1/2-inch ID and 5/8-inch OD to finish the job. That’s not exactly easy to find. So, my son stepped in and 3D-printed a custom piece that fit perfectly. I wrapped it with chrome vinyl to blend it into the chrome shifter handle—it looks flawless now!
The Final Result: A Perfectly Customized Shifter
After all that work, the shifter is exactly how I wanted it. It’s the perfect height, just off the steering wheel, leaning toward me while I drive, and not crowding the dash. It took some serious customization, but it was worth it—especially since I got to use my Shelby-logo shift knob from Breeze Automotive. Big thanks to Brad Clark for his CNC and welding skills. If you’re near Sacramento and need custom work, hit him up—he’s the real deal.
