Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Information => Trans Am Information => Topic started by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 09:08:02 AM

Title: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 09:08:02 AM
About a month ago (after years of searching) I got a great original condition gold 1979, WS4, ttops 403 auto. loaded: Air, cruise, PW etc and 4 wheel discs.
And even more surprisingly it has the dual gate shifter.
I didn’t even know about this type of shifter until a buddy pointed it out.
It looks exactly like a normal auto except the space where you can shift it to the right.
I am very confident this car has never been messed with, I have a hoist and have gone over it closely and everything looks 100% original.
And it has 120k documented KMs on it (74k miles) and all service records from new.

Is this common to have this dual gate shifter in a WS4? Is this a rare option?


Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Toecutter on September 29, 2009, 09:21:51 AM
I might be wrong, but I believe that is an aftermarket install. I saw this same topic on another forum and they said the Dual Gate was not a factory option on our cars. What is cool though is that our cars come with a factory detent shifter. If you will push your shifter handle to the right when shifting, it will come to a positive stop. Let go, then do the same for the next gear. You will notice the shifter will only go to the next gear. Give it a try. It's pretty neat.  ;)
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 09:50:42 AM
Cool, then maybe its not a dual gate but a detent shifter?
Is there a difference then from a factory detent shifter and a dual gate shifter?
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 29, 2009, 11:07:56 AM
There is a difference between the Hurst Dual Gate (aftermarket, not original) and a factory ratchet shifter (an optional (not standard) auto shifter).

The "ratchet" shifter appears the same as a typical auto shifter ...the difference being in it's use.
http://www.78ta.com/smf/index.php?topic=5908.0
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 12:31:25 PM
that clears it up - so it's definately a factory ratchet shifter
but why would it be in my car?
It's not an SE and just a WS4
And I still dont believe it's been added after - if you could see this car you can really tell its all stock.

Makes you wonder why someone would order 4 wheeldisc a ratchet shifter on a "base" model
Or is this just another example of pontiac putting parts in?


Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Anderson0741 on September 29, 2009, 01:53:55 PM
The disc brakes is a sign of the WS6 option, WS4 just means its a Trans Am, and the stock shifter looks like this (http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx197/Anderson0741/1980%20Firebird/IMG_0900.jpg)
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 03:30:53 PM
now the can is open and the worms are everywhere.
I assumed the WS6 was stamped in the cowl tag. But it seems what I've been reading on this site that's not the case.
Seems like a common mistake I made was assuming it's not a WS6 becasue it wasn't on the cowl.
It's amazing cause I thought I did my research.

Now I am curious if it's a WS6 or not. And from the other posts, seems like there is no real way to tell unless you have a build sheet.
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Mongo on September 29, 2009, 03:47:27 PM
A DUAL GATE LOOKS LIKE THIS...

(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv321/FREDBO99/100_1180.jpg)
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Toecutter on September 29, 2009, 04:13:19 PM
There is a difference between the Hurst Dual Gate (aftermarket, not original) and a factory ratchet shifter (an optional (not standard) auto shifter).

The "ratchet" shifter appears the same as a typical auto shifter ...the difference being in it's use.
http://www.78ta.com/smf/index.php?topic=5908.0

So the ratchet shifter was an option? Cool, guess I have been lucky. Because every 2nd Gen Camaro and Trans Am I have owned came with this type of shifter. :-)
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Anderson0741 on September 29, 2009, 04:46:11 PM
http://www.78ta.com/ws6.php is a link all about the WS6/WS7, it has everything you need to know, andwhat you would need to check on to see if yours is a WS6.

As for the dual gate shifter, it is not stock, they made that plastic piece to give it a stock look, but it is aftermarket.  The stock one looks like the picture I posted above.
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Mongo on September 29, 2009, 05:42:31 PM
That is a HURST dual gate shifter as indicated by the word HURST on the handle. It is not stock. HURST did make them to specifically fit an Fbody though.  You are correct, The trim plate was hand made out of aluminum, the stock shifter bezel and the dual gate bezel. It was then finished by Randy Combs to make it match the dash.
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 08:06:00 PM
its definately factory - see the pic, it has the spacer

[attachment deleted by admin over 90 days old]
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: Anderson0741 on September 29, 2009, 08:07:37 PM
Yep thats stock
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 08:16:32 PM

So is this a rare option, or do all 403 autos come with it?

Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 29, 2009, 09:08:49 PM
Just to clarify:
    A Hurst dual gate is aftermarket and is shown in Fred's pic

(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv321/FREDBO99/100_1180.jpg)


A ratchet shifter (factory option)is different from both an auto stick and a Hurst dual gate....though to the eye it does appear the same as the factory auto stick. The easiest way to tell the ratchet from the regular auto is that the ratchet will push to the right.


A ratchet shifter is a factory option and though a pretty cool one...not necessarily considered rare. Lots of Firebirds and Camaros got them...I have a few here myself.


And also...WS6 is NOT noted on the cowl tag....you would need the buildsheet or documents from PHS to verify if your car originally had this package. There are plenty of items on the car to note but considering how many things could have been added/removed in the last 30 years, one of the above options is the best way to be sure.

Title: Re: Dual Gate/ratchet Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: CopperHead on September 29, 2009, 09:18:09 PM
ok, so i have the factory ratchet shifter (see my previous pics) it goes to the right, I just never looked for it before and therefore never noticed them on other TA's or mine.
Not being rare is fine, this car is for me to keep, not sell.
Plus I just tried it out tonight  and it is cool to use.
Has a neat metal clanking (not bad) sound when it engages and it goes.

Factory Ratchet shifter = not rare = lot's of fun
Title: Re: Dual Gate Shifter in a 1979 TA - is it rare?
Post by: RENOVATIONS on September 29, 2009, 09:20:33 PM
Not being rare is fine, this car is for me to keep, not sell.


Well said  :)