Relocate transmission shifter possibilities??

[Glen Baker LLC]

Inadvertently moving the shift knob with one's leg while driving.
I'm not saying it hasn't happened or can't.
I'm just trying to figure out how it happens?
6' 212lbs. Seat all the way back.
My normal driving position. Top Pic.
and if I were to rest my leg on the console with my foot still on the accelerator. Bottom Pic

Leg positioned when using cruise control.

Foot pulled all the way back legs spread pushed against the console

Even if my leg were touching in the bottom photo. I can't pull it backward any further but if I stretch my leg forward it would rotate the dial in a clockwise manner keeping it in drive.

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[Surly Old Bill]

Yeah, it's awkwardly placed, I suppose to emulate the old stick shift position of yore. With the type of function, it really should just be a small lever or dial on the dash, out of the way of fumbling hands, legs, and packages. Being electronic and not mechanical, it really could be placed anywhere.

I guess we're lucky that the shifter is not integrated into the infotainment touchscreen! "The screen's dead, now your car won't work and needs to be towed".

 

[Gray Goose]

Could be worse could be the push button shifter of a 1956 Chrysler.

It's a good thing they didn't have infotainment screens back then. The shift buttons would have been in one of the menus.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

But you weren't moving when you did . I get it but I have adjusted quickly after 50 years of column or floor shifters. Could be worse could be the push button shifter of a 1956 Chrysler.

Heyyy, I liked the push button shifter.

Here's a blast from the past. My mom had a two tone Brown over gold Plymouth Fury station wagon. Push button transmission "Squarish" clear lucite steering wheel. Chrome bullet tail lights
The same interior as pictured below.

Packard also had this electronic push button model.

 

[Tbone289]

Nothing like a push-button transmission to force you to look down every time you make a gear selection. At least I never have to look down at the rotary shift knob.

 

[2seater]

I believe the Edsel shifter was in the center of the steering wheel. One of their better ideas

 

[Blue_Max]

I believe the Edsel shifter was in the center of the steering wheel. One of their better ideas

Yet they ditched that after the first model year.

 

[Tbone289]

I believe the Edsel shifter was in the center of the steering wheel. One of their better ideas

Adding unnecessary mechanical complexity to make things seem "futuristic" doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Inadvertently moving the shift knob with one's leg while driving.
I'm not saying it hasn't happened or can't.
I'm just trying to figure out how it happens?
6' 212lbs. Seat all the way back.
My normal driving position. Top Pic.
and if I were to rest my leg on the console with my foot still on the accelerator. Bottom Pic

Leg positioned when using cruise control.

Foot pulled all the way back legs spread pushed against the console

Even if my leg were touching in the bottom photo. I can't pull it backward any further but if I stretch my leg forward it would rotate the dial in a clockwise manner keeping it in drive.

Well, I'm 6'3", with a 35" inseam. The wrinkles on my pants when I bend my knee have caught the knob. With cruise control, my foot back a bit from the pedals for comfort.

I wonder - does the Lariat have a different grip material? Mine is soft rubber-like and it might be a little thicker than the knob on the other models.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

My much older brother had a 56, used, in the mid-60s. The button stuck in while in reverse. I might have been the cause of it

I think the best shifter I had was either the 5 speed in my 90 Mustang, or the 6 speed in my Honda Civic Si. I like the automatic most of the time, but once in a while, I get the urge to stir it through the gears.

 

[Blue_Max]

Well, I'm 6'3", with a 35" inseam. The wrinkles on my pants when I bend my knee have caught the knob. With cruise control, my foot back a bit from the pedals for comfort.

I wonder - does the Lariat have a different grip material? Mine is soft rubber-like and it might be a little thicker than the knob on the other models.

I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and I've never inadvertently hit the shifter with any part of my body or clothing. Do you have the seat up close to the dash with your legs all bent?

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam and I've never inadvertently hit the shifter with any part of my body or clothing. Do you have the seat up close to the dash with your legs all bent?

If you take a look at my pictures. if I move my seat up that would move my knee way up in front of the gear selector knob.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm 6'@' and haven't had the issue YET. Don;t want to test karma here. Maybe different type of pants or shorts

I don't drink beer so hold my coffee.
Normal driving position with jeans.

Seat pulled way up forward.
No chance of hitting the knob with a leg in this position.

 

[Gray Goose]

I used to stand on the hump in the front seat when I was a toddler of my Mom and Dad's 63 Impala. 3 biggest brothers in the back seat, smallest in the middle front seat, and me on the hump. I wonder where the child seat tether was in a 63

Same era, I think it was a second grade field trip. 24 kids in the back of 2 LTD station wagons. Fold all the seats down. 6 kids per side facing in.

 

[h1k3rb]

Adding unnecessary mechanical complexity to make things seem "futuristic" doesn't seem like a good idea to me.

Like so many things (that are not good ideas) they did it because they could.

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