Has anyone used on of the rail shifters from rad designs? I am considering getting one and need to know how well it works.

 

Honestly I rarely leave it in auto now. Here's my install. I also wired in switches on the console, one is a DPDT on-on switch that switches between manual and auto (tcm) mode. The other is an spdt on-off-on switch for the torque converter lockup that switches from locked-off-tcm controlled

 

Very nice.

How is the "feel" of the rail shifter?

 

Quality is great. If you're talking shifting, very crisp. Shifting between gears is essentially immediate. If going the route I did with switches, you'll need a TON of wiring. I went with an 8 way trailer wiring harness to make things easier. You can also just completely bypass the tcm... easier, less wiring. I went with A for when the wife uses the jeep.

Before I started I drew a wiring diagram, best thing I ever did as I would have gotten lost in the process. I still have it and can post it up if interested

I will say the only thing I disliked about the install was the location I chose to put the rail. While not bad, having anything in the cup holders gets in your way a bit while shifting.

 

It's nice to have that insight. As I've been looking at it, that's exactly where I was thinking of putting it--it seems logical. I didn't even think about the drink holders, but that would be annoying. Do you have an alternate mounting location in mind?

It would be good to see your diagram if you don't mind sharing it. I'm seriously considering the install but, even if I don't, it will be here for posterity when someone goes searching.

 

Sure, I'll post it up as soon as I get home this afternoon.

The mounting location I originally wanted to do was in that little sliver on the console between the e brake and driver area. I wanted to cut a little sliver out where just the shaft of the rail would stick out, and the rail would have been mounted internally rather than externally. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space to keep it out of the way of the e brake when engaged.

Another location I saw that someone did was right by the 4x4 lever. I didn't go with that location because it's a bit awkward to reach. In terms of reach and comfort, the location in the image I posted is probably the best if you can get over the drink issue. You can easily shift with your arm resting on the console

 

Thanks, I was thinking next to the transfer case lever as well. I need to pay attention to where my knee hits the console next time I'm driving... and the reach as you mentioned.

I wonder if you could countersink it in that blank area to the right of the gear selector? I had that place in mind for some various switches, but it might be pretty sweet, except for possibly the reach...

 

Perhaps next to the gear selector, I popped the bezel off and I believe it would fit down there but then the selector might be in the way when in gear. Also, I just tried as far as reach goes, and it seems that location is a stretch as well. Attached is the diagram.

At the top left are the colors of the 8 way trailer plug (purchased from Del City) in correlation with what each wire is going to.

At the top center and right are the two switches and their respective pins from the rear. The parentheses indicate where the wires are coming from, either the rail or the 8 way plug. You'll notice solenoid one must be connected on the same side of the switch from top to bottom, same from solenoid two.

Bottom left is the plug at the TCM. You need to cut the wires that connect to the solenoids. The wires leading into the TCM plug are labeled as such. The other side of the wires that you cut will lead directly to the transmission, this is essentially your tcm bypass.

You'll also need two switched power wires (fuse protected), one directly to the rail, the other will go to your TCC switch.

Sorry about the drawing, I'm not a pro artist but it made sense to me as I drew it out!

 

Makes sense. Thanks for posting that.

Yeah, I just drove the XJ and the reach is way to far next to the gear selector, but I think the straight section next to the transfer shifter might work pretty well.

 

I rather have his rock shifter myself.With it you can shove it from drive to reverse,If your off road and about to flip backwards that can save you if your fast enough to change gears.

 

You can shift the stock shifter from drive to reverse pretty quickly.

 

But you gotta press the button,His is like a race shifter you can slam it in gear in a blink of a eye.