TH8 Short Shaft Shift Knob Kits by Seth Francis Sim Racing

  • Thread starter Thread starter seth francis
  • 40 comments
  • 13,634 views
seth francis

seth francis

Messages
156
United States
Branford Ct.
Messages
scaudi7187
Hello fellow sim racers. My name is Seth Francis, I would like to introduce myself and Seth Francis Sim Racing to the community here in the gtplanet forum. Seth Francis Sim Racing is something I started recently in hopes of building the name into a business, providing custom modifications and hardware to the sim racing community. The SFSR TH8 Short Shaft Shift Knob Kit is my first publicly available hardware modification. These kits are assembled by hand by me at my home in Branford Ct. Each of the kits shown are made of aluminum and weigh between 6-7oz. There is a securing nut above the plastic spacer but hidden under the threaded collar at the bottom of the knob itself. This nut is used to fasten the shift shaft and knob assembly directly to the TH8 in place of the original shaft. Each kit will include a protective cloth sleeve for storing your shift knob or covering it when not in use. The price is $45.00 for the black APC kit and $50 for the Silver Hurst kit plus shipping anywhere in the world. Both kits are made with authentic Hurst or APC shift knobs. There will be more styles to come and I can also custom make a kit with just about any shift knob requested. Please keep in mind these kits are assembled and the shaft is not a machined shaft, there is a threaded rod that the kit is built off of. These kits are very strong with no play or wobble. You will feel no rotation at all unless really trying to rotate the knob. The Husrt kits are actually made with custom threaded brass adapters I source from a company here in the USA, this means that rotating the knob will only make it tighter and tighter. The black APC knob is assembled with non threaded spacers and adapters therefore it will rotate with some force. I use this knob regularly and have never noticed any unintentional rotation, I just feel it should be mentioned. From here on out I will only be using knobs that have internal threads, allowing me to use my custom adapters to thread directly onto the threaded shaft, the way the Hurst kit is currently produced. This is why the Hurst kit is an extra $5 as I have to pay for the custom threaded adapter. I am very open to receiving feedback so please feel free to voice your opinions or suggestions. My dream is to make this small idea into a business one day and the needs of the sim racing community are what drives me. Thank you for looking and as always "Keep Driving!"
 
Nice one! I've always thought that the stock shifter was too long, kind of like driving a truck, which isn't bad if all you wanna play is a truck sim. ;)


👍
 
TheElbows
If you ever do an old school golf-ball shifter...I'll be in. Looks like some good stuff.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay, I can actually make these with any shift knob you want for the most part. Pretty much all aftermarket shift knobs will work as long as they have the proper thread inside or at least a set screw design that I can use with custom adapters. Feel free to message me if you are interested, I would be happy to work with you on any style shift knob you like. Thank you for your interest btw.
 
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I have added a video to YouTube showing the installation procedure as well as some useful tips for my TH8 Short Shaft Shift Knob Kits.



Also feel free to check out my new console compatible button plate for the T500 base. Much thanks to rr4m for providing me with all of the Arduino Sketches and for working with me through all of the debugging steps. Here is a link to his posts in the T500 thread https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/the-thrustmaster-t500rs-thread.135961/page-321 for the TX Button Plate (info for T500 there as well) which has all of the necessary information as well as links to rr4m's blog for anyone looking to do this project themselves. I will also be posting photos of my build procedure there but the wiring diagrams rr4m has posted are accurate and much nicer than anything I can make up at the moment. I fallowed his TX blog in order to get started on my T500 project then he provided me with the various sketches until we had one that worked perfectly with the T500. He also has all of the necessary information as well as downloads for the Arduino Sketch for T500 GT rim emulation posted in his blog http://rr-m.org/blog/emulating-thrustmaster-t500-gt-wheel-electronics-with-arduino/

 
Yes, in order to remove the shift knob Kit properly you would have to loosen the nut and unthread the kit as a whole. You would have to unthread the original knob to switch plates as well but with my kit fitted there would be the additional step of loosening the collar (takes about 3 seconds) and loosening the retaining nut. In all actuality you CAN definitely remove and possibly install these kits without worrying about the retaining nut and just spinning the knob+shaft assembly but my fear is someone will turn crazy hard and damage something inside their TH8A/RS shifter. If you watch the YouTube video by yipzone (he performed a similar mod using threaded rod) you will see he uses threaded rod and simply tightens the rod until it bottoms out in the shifter, perhaps that is perfectly fine but I prefer to be safe rather than sorry. Plus by using the retaining nut you can fit the knob in a particular position. If you look at any custom knob mod for the TH8 that uses a directional knob there will always be a retaining nut to ensure the shift knob faces the right way atheistically. Considering you have to r&r 4 Allen screws to swap plates anyways I dont think that removing the knob + shaft by simply rotating the kit counter clockwise (perfectly safe for removal) then having to loosen the collar and fasten the retaining nut after reinstallation is too much of an inconvenience. You would however need to have a set of needle nose or a 10mm open ended wrench nearby alongside your Allan wrench :) Of course the opinion will be that of the SIM community, not myself, as to weather or not the added step is worth enduring in exchange for the added styling an functionality of using an automotive grade knob with a shorter shaft. Personally I do not use SQ mode often however I have done extensive testing in SQ mode with my kits and the results where great. I much prefer the feel of an elongated shift knob for SQ shifting. In a pinch you can really slap the knob with your palm when pushing (downshifting in my case) or easily snatch with your fingers when pulling the shifter. I find that a vertical rather than horizontal hand position is more conducive to SQ shifting and the more cylindrical shifters accommodate such a position perfectly. One thing I will mention, and perhaps I should make a follow-up video, is when installing in sq mode you must either install the knob+shaft assembly after fastening the SQ plate, or place the shaft into the SQ plate and thread the shift knob kit until it is just snug before fastening the SQ plate. It is pretty straight forward but it might be helpful for some to have a video for SQ installation as well. I will make one this weekend and post it here as well :) Thank you everyone for the posts in this thread, I live to year your opinions and am always here to answer any questions.
 
I don't see it being a problem to do as you stated have to do that with knob that came on it stock...Was just wondering is all..my shifter is in rma but when I get it back and know it works will be ordering the black short shifter
 
That would be great:) let me know whenever you are ready. You can also look around at shift knobs and if you find one you like let me know and I will see if it will work with my kits. The best type to use are knobs with threads, preferably size M16 which is common for aftermarket shift knobs. There is a company I have recently started to work with called twistedshifterz here in the states. Any shift knob they sell will work with my kits very well. The website is www.twistedshifterz.com. The black knob in the kit pictured is actually not threaded inside it is smooth and uses set screws for fastening to the shaft with plastic adapters. This is not a big deal but worth mentioning as the knob can rotate on the shaft if enough twisting force is applied. It will not come off or anything and the fit is very solid but it will rotate If you twist hard enough. With the threaded knobs I use a threaded brass adapter that goes directly between the threaded rod and kno. This provides an extremely tight fit. I also use thread locking compound with the threaded knobs to ensure the knob will never twist on the rod. Just thought I would mention the different options you have. I must go to sleep now but will be back to respond later:)
 
I just received my custom made Hurst short shifter kit made by Seth Francis!
image.jpg
My shifting has never felt better! It's so much shorter and precise. My shifts are insanely faster, which will help me in game. You can feel the weight of the shifter and it's beauty is a work of art.

My wife could care less about most things sim racing, and she couldn't get over how great it looks and weight of it. You can tell the care and the skill Seth put in to making this one-of-a-kind shifter.

Seth kept me updated with emails and pictures while he was making it. I received a tracking number and the best customer service ever. He anwesered any and all questions I had. I look forward to purchasing anything Seth comes up with. He is a wizard and master craftsman with passion for quality modifications that improve your SIM setup to it's maximum.

I look forward to updating you with information about this sleek new add-on which everyone should take note.
 
Football67611: Thank you so much for the kind words :) I am very happy that you are enjoying the kit and it is cool that your wife also thought it was nice. I hope you continue to enjoy your shifter and if there is anything at all I can do to help, even related to topics aside from the shifter, please let me know and I will do my best to be of assistance!

Glipzide78: While I agree it does look very good in the pic as the top looks blue, I must admit that is actually a reflection with the monitor :p. It does cast a cool effect though and it would be nice if I could locate different color chrome knobs. I will have to see what is available.
 
seth francis
Football67611: Thank you so much for the kind words :) I am very happy that you are enjoying the kit and it is cool that your wife also thought it was nice. I hope you continue to enjoy your shifter and if there is anything at all I can do to help, even related to topics aside from the shifter, please let me know and I will do my best to be of assistance!

Glipzide78: While I agree it does look very good in the pic as the top looks blue, I must admit that is actually a reflection with the monitor :p. It does cast a cool effect though and it would be nice if I could locate different color chrome knobs. I will have to see what is available.
Click to expand...
It's a beauty!!!
 
image.jpg
Update: Now that Seth got me up and going with the custom Hurst Shifter, it feels incredibly real. My wife loved her first car which was a standard shift, and she said, "Feels like the good old day." This is a masterpiece that everyone should purchase. I tried it out in sequential mode today, and won a race by 10 seconds and I do not tune. I'm not kidding you brothers, check it out. Seth Francis
 
Hello all, I would like to let everyone know that I should have my laptop back up and running with a new cloned hard drive today or tomorrow. I will be posting some photos of different knobs that will work with my kits as well as a video for SQ plate installation when using my shift knob kits.

Football67611: Thank you for the update, I know we spoke before outside of the forum but thought I would post here just to say thanks again. I am glad there is another person who finds these kits as great as I do! I simply cant go back to the original ling shaft and knob after being spoiled by easier shifts and a more solid feel. I definitely plan to continue offering these kits to the community and will be deciding on some new styles in the coming week or so.

I am also considering producing Hydraulic Handbrakes, very similar to the ones DSD offers. What do you guys think? Unfortunately I have no way to make one work with console, at least not that I've thought of, without loosing analogue input but for PC users it would be a great product. My goal would be to make these to order at a price point lower than what is currently available for hydraulic handbrakes. Just thought I'd throw it out there to get some opinions.
 
That's cool man no rush. Do you have an idea what style you like? I have been looking at making a couple kits to have pre-made on hand but haven't decided what style. I will say I have decided to no longer make the black style knob pictured, unless someone really wants one. I am going to stick to only making kits with threaded style knobs as they provide a far more solid fitment. If you like the HURST style I can definitely guaranty that to be a very nice feeling and solid knob, I will be continuing to make those regardless, however, if you have another style in mind or a picture of a knob that you like I can see if it will work. You dont have to commit to any purchase or put a down payment or anything. I'd just like to get some opinions before I decide what kind of knob I want to try to make a kit with next. I have been toying with the idea of making a really short kit with a round style knob as well. Maybe like a brushed aluminum round knob.
 
Hey guys, just wanted to post an update as I have just ordered a new knob that I will be considering for my short shaft shift knob kits. I have included a picture of the style knob I am considering below. It is an Aluminum B&M shift knob that is slightly shorter and wider than the HURST style knob I also use with my kits. Once the package arrives and I have assembled a kit using the new B&M knob I will post photos to gauge interest. Thanks for looking and as always, "Keep Driving!"

C__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_mCDnDKKJrWiK-7xiFNIgvYg.jpg
 
Hey Glipzide, thank you for remembering me. Which style were you thinking? The black style didn't work very well fitment wise so I'm not really selling those unless someone really wants that exact knob. I dont like that the knob can rotate with some force. The B&M knob fits decent as there is only a small plastic sleeve between the brass threaded adapter and aluminum knob, this is definitely more of an H style knob though. The silver HURST knob has been working the best as the fitment is entirely metal on metal and very solid. No unwanted rotation of the knob over the shaft at all, the rod will start to unthread from the shifter before the knob will ever rotate. I actually use high strength thread lock so the rod is permanently fixed inside the knob. I also offer to try different knobs upon request if there is a particular style you want. If you want to you can send me an email and we can go over the details. I am going in to have all my wisdom teeth removed on Friday morning (now that I'm 28 and one is impacted lol) so depending on when you email me it might be a day or two before I respond. My email is scaudi7187@gmail.com
 
I found it out after I posted the reply. I mailed him and now we are working on my order. Thanks for telling me though.
 
Hey guys, sorry for the delay. I have had some stuff going on lately, wisdom tooth removal and work mainly. Quintenjv and I are in communication, his knob has been ordered and I am awaiting its arrival so I can get it assembled :) Mayaman, I will text you tomorrow when it is a decent hour, cant wait to hear the news!
 

Latest Posts

Back