What is the difference between a ratchet shifter, and the stock shifter.

I understand ratchet shifting is completely different, but how? anyone posess a movie or something?

 

A ratchet shifter only allows you to move the shifter one notch/positon at a time, used more for racing since you can bang it pretty hard and not jump gears, you have to release the pressure on it before it will allow another gear change.

 

All shifters seem to operate a little different, but here's the instruction sheets.

The Quarter Stick uses a trigger lever to provide the positive stops.
Quarter Stick Instructions

The Megashifter uses the regular rachet movement.
Megashifter Instructions

These types of shifters let the user have regular OEM type automatic shifting when left in OD setting or the shifter can be put into 1st gear then bumped/hit to move to 2nd gear... etc.

Lets the user have a little more control over the shift points.

 

I tried the Megashifter and didn't like it. I now use a Pro Ratchet. This shifter stays in the same position all the time. Even when in park, the shifter is still straight up and down. Each time I ratchet back, the tranny shifts down a detent. The GM trannys have a long detent from Park to Reverse so my shifter needs to ratchet twice to go through that detent. Other shifters like the Megashifter move instead of ratchet to do the same thing.

For street driving, a ratchet shifter isn't really required. You normally pull it into D or OD and drive off letting the tranny shift by itself. In my race car, the tranny will not shift by itself so I have to manually shift through the gears. I ratchet down to first gear for the launch. When I shift I hammer the shifter forward and it only goes up one gear without the risk of putting it in the next higher gear, neutral or if the interlock breaks, reverse.

For street driving a gate shifter is a better choice. It still allows you to shift through the gears without accidently going past a gear but the shifter moves through the entire range like a normal shifter would instead of ratcheting.

 

So that's why my Pro Ratchet takes 2 hits to get into reverse...learn somthing new everyday

I love mine and would recommend it to anybody with a 3 or 4 speed!! Fell in love with the reverse pattern valve body, another must have for racers-never ever ever worry about hitting neutral when slappin gears.

 

Megashifter also has one more major downfall for street driven cars (maybe other types of shifters too). It doesn't retain the factory lockup cable. Meaning even with the key in locked position the shifter can be shifted easily out of Park into any gear... including neutral. So someone could easily shift your car into neutral without keys if you left your windows down or doors unlocked.

I also don't really care for the Megashifter, but for 75 bucks off Ebay I'll use it for awhile. I'll probably get a Pro Rachet or a Pistol Grip Hurst down the road.

 

I know everybody has a preference, or gets used to what they have, but after driving 3 cars with the bicycle lever to pull 3rd gear, stay away from that type. Stuff happens way to fast and having to think about, okay when I slap 2nd dont hit the bicycle brake lever or it'll go straight into 3rd. Then once you've sucessfull slapped second gear, now your thinking/feeling around to make sure you have your hand back in position to pull the bicycle brake lever to engage top gear.

They're just too clumbsy imo.

 

The only thing I don't like about my Pro Ratchet is that there's no aftermarket for an air or electric shifter accessory. All the kits are designed for the gate shifters. If I ever get to the point where I want a control box to shift my tranny, I'll probably upgrade to something like the Pro Bandit.

At least I only have to do one shift. Around the 1/8 mile mark the shift light comes on and I shift from low to high or first to second if you want to think of it that way. Powerglides are so simple.

 

Biondo has an electric solenoid I've been contemplating seriously this past month, super spendy though and mainly the reason I have'nt bought it yet, $289 for the solenoid/hardware to install on our shifter, then another $70 for the Biondo activated switch. The MSD's are cheaper, but we're running a Biondo rpm swtich in the truck and I like tha fact it has a 1 second delay before it gets ready for duty in case you spin outta the box.

Called Jegs when I was getting ready to order this Pro-Ratchet and seen the huge price increase for the one pictured with the sloenoid attached, asked if that came as a package (pro-ratchet+solnoid kit) for $289, he put me on hold to do some checking and came back laughing, said biondo sure likes they're stuff as it's only the solenoid kit for $289, shifter is extra


Sure you read my post seen the pics and comments on our Pro Bandit on the DRR boards, nice compact shifter, esy to install elecrtric/air solenoid, just locktight the plate cover screws