Originally Posted by
Mark
Most experienced truckers float the gears without clutching, but you can't avoid double-clutching up and down the gears for a class A CDL road test. When you are new to double clutching & hitting the RPMs correctly on each shift, you are constantly being reminded by your instructor to be gentle. If you can't shift gently with two fingers on the shift knob, you probably aren't doing something right.
Cutting the shifter down on a large semi truck that has a range selector or splitter on it would involves some extra work, but I don't doubt it has been done.
When I think of a longer shifter, I think of my school bus driver as a kid. We would all yell, "if you can't find them grind them" every time he messed up. I think we did it just to tick him off some more. I haven't seen a manual school bus in several decades, however.
I don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer" on the long shifter for a Mirage. I just suggest experimenting with it some before going all out to change it.
I suggest a shifter that's at least 4' high. And cut notches as needed into the roof so you can shift it.
There's nothing that needs to be changed that can't easily be reversed. Unscrew a knob and thread on an extension. Or make your own. Grinders and paint make me the welder I ain't.
__________________________________________
View my fuel log 2014 Mirage SE wussie cvt edition. 1.2 automatic: 37.7 mpg (US) ... 16.0 km/L ... 6.2 L/100 km ... 45.3 mpg (Imp)