The first thing I did was shop for a ratchet U-joint with the least play in it. I chose a spark plug socket with a built in U-joint. here it is compared to the previous joint for the transaxle end.
First, I cut the end off the other joint. It is part of an adjuster, so it is the proper size for the coupler and includes a set screw dimple. I also cut the end of the socket off so that when the end is bottomed into it, it is the minimum length. This should make the entire assembly shorter with less side loading when shifting.
I clamped it up...
I then cold forged the the end of the tube to fit the drive end of the socket and welded that. There is the completed joint.
I test fit the shaft to get an idea where I would have to move the shifter.
Next came the tougher bit. I repositioned the Super Shifter so that the new shaft can be used with it's single U-joint. First, I cut off my ever-so-carefully placed shifter mount, then cut the rear bracket shorter, while hand fitting the shifter. Once I was "happy" with the placement, I used a jack to hold it at the right height, a drill bit under the box to hold it at the correct angle to the ground and a C-clamp to clamp it to the shaft for the proper angle to the transaxle.
Sorry about the odd angle. I was trying to eliminate shadows and reflections off the chrome box. I ended up leaning so far over that it's like I held the camera upside down.
Anyway, made those two welds and I really hope the fiberglass body still matches up correctly.
All that remained was to cut the shaft to length and to grind the end down to fit in the coupler.
I have used a drill bit as a temporary pin, but here's the completed shifter.
Compare the angle with the previous attempt:
This layout works MUCH better. It works so well that I foresee speedshifts.
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