REVIEW: TWM Stage 2 Short Shifter

[illest_tC]

This is a review on the TWM Stage 2 Short Shifter. the Stage 2 shifter has a 2.5" height reduction vs stock, and a 35% throw reduction.

TWM Stage 2 next to TRD



I received mine the other day and i went ahead and installed it yesterday. the package came with the shifter, instructions, the cap remover tool for the bottom pivot ball, and clips for the one you have to break during the install...

the install is really pretty easy. the only part that i had some trouble with was prying off the top part of the cage to actually remove the shifter. i had the TRD quickshifter already installed so there were 2 stubborn clips on the top part. but once that was off it was a piece of cake. (also the cage is sharp so be careful when you're sticking your fingers in there i have little cuts all over lol)

I took it out for a drive this morning and it feels awesome. even compared to the TRD. The throws are shorter and i love where it sits now. it feels better while im driving.

This shifter is awesome and i recommend it to anyone with a manual.





sorry forgot to snap a pic of the TRD with the boot on, but it looks just like your stock shifter....

TRD:

TWM:


TWM with boot on:


The shifter can be found here: http://www.twmperformance.com/shorts...rtshifters.htm
as well as shift knobs, bushings, and boots!

[navylife59]

Great write-up and a good comparison. Yep, those clips can be a booger to get off the first time. I like the shift knob. What brand is it?

[illest_tC]

I had Doc I custom make it for me

[ajartzer]

Did your shift effort increase with the short shifter?

[illest_tC]

no it didnt increase. but it didnt decrease THAT much. i had the TRD one already and the TWM is a little bit better. i mainly got it because it was shorter

[navylife59]

I have a TRD that I customized and added an Axxtion STS to it (mainly to test it). I have a super mega short throw. It is actually a bit too much with finding the gear selections under high torque and quickshifting. At a point shortening the throw will become detrimental to smooth shifting just as Cadence alluded to.

[illest_tC]

i have no trouble shifting while driving. but i do have a bit of difficulty shifting into first unless i am COMPLETELY stopped at a stop sign. and sometimes i cant get it into reverse, so ill just let it roll forward a bit and then it goes right in... this happened with my TRD too, something with the syncros maybe?

[navylife59]

The reverse gear is not fully engaged like the forward gears, so when you put it in reverse you are actually engaging just a set of straight cut gears. Straight cut gear teeth will tend to bump into each other if not aligned preventing engagement. Moving the car forward just a tad will 95% of the time allow engagement as it rotates these gears. Most engineers don't both designing any sort of meshing system for reverse as it is used not very often (once or twice per day) and it is a better than 30% chance that the gear teeth will be aligned enough for engagement. I don't know if there are/where any luxury cars that ever sported a syncing reverse gear, but I would not ever doubt it.