Reply to "GETTING RID OF THE SHIFTER GATE PLATE!"

Removing the gate does two things- both good! First, the shift gate metal is harder than the shift-stick, and will eventually wear through enough to break the stick, usually at some highly inconvenient time. Second, speed-shifting the tranny with the gate will, due to the springiness of the 6 ft long shift-shaft, allow the stick to enter one gate while the trans will enter another gear. This then jams the stick in the gate, requiring a firm 'smack' with the heel of your hand to free up the stick. If all this happens in a fast curve in the mountains, you're gonna be real busy for a moment or two.... A worn notch in a stick can be carefully TIG-welded with stainless steel rod, then filed & buffed down such that the plating and stainless weld run together more-or-less invisibly, saving one from having to re-plate the repaired stick.