My ZF Auto - Paddle Shifter Idea

**GO FURTHER** · 11-10-2016, 11:17 PM

I've always wanted and have waited for someone to bring out an aftermarket paddle shifter kit that can be fitted to the ZF auto.

(Driving the FG XR6T ZF auto in manual mode is just so much fun)

At one time, I recall there was a kit on EBay, which is unfortunately no longer available or produced.

There was also a member on here (I forget his name) who was trying to get a kit to market, but I believe it never eventuated.

Then it got me thinking... Being an ideas man ... Instead of trying to develop a paddle shifter kit that integrates "electronically" with the autos manual mode module (which of course would be best) ...
As an alternative, why not have some sort of extension angled bar that can be clamped to the base of the ZF gear shifter and can be easily removed (using some sort of quick release clamp) , that extends up near the steering wheel.

To illustrate my idea, I've put these two concept images together;

The above concept images are just to give you an idea of what I am on about.... The actual extension bar of course would need to be designed and angled in various ways both horizontally and vertically to allow the shifter to go from "Park" to "drive", and clear the dash as well as the steering wheel. Also would not get in the way of turning the steering wheel, when the shifter is moved left and right from Drive mode to Performance mode.

Since the shifter is simply pushed forward or backwards to change gears up or down when in manual mode... The extension bar would require very little force or effort to change gears because of the extra "leverage" the bar would give you.

Of the two ideas (Paddle or knob)... I think the extension bar terminating in a knob, would be a better idea.

Call me crazy, and I'm sure there are many reasons why this would not work.... But I'd like your thoughts never the less.

Not even sure if a mod like this would be legal ?

Bolly47 · 12-10-2016, 12:20 AM

At one time, I recall there was a kit on EBay, which is unfortunately no longer available or produced.
Yes l do remember the kit on e-bay as however there is other a kit call diff- shift for four speed auto transmission however it was easy to make with few electronic part but not for latest 6 speed auto

**Mechan1k** · 12-10-2016, 01:46 AM

Either speak to Jim in WA ... or data_mine in ACT ... they were both looking into doing paddle shifters at some point for the ZF. Not sure how far they got with progress though.

happy1 · 12-10-2016, 02:40 AM

Other brand's OEM paddle kits will be attached to the steering wheel, and will use spare conductors in the clock spring cable. You would need at least 3 conductors to have good design of the signals for the two paddles.

The Ebay FG paddle kit that was for sale earlier, were two paddles fixed to the steering column cover, and they almost covered the instrument cluster. In other words the paddles didn't rotate with the steering wheel.

That long mechanical stick you suggested in the photos does look very scary / dangerous. Having a long metal arm near the steering wheel would be unacceptable. Any sharp metal objects attached to the gear selector, near the steering wheel / airbag etc, can't be done like that. The Ebay paddles in front of the speedo were bad enough, but small, and probably not a danger in itself.

Engineering a paddle kit that integrates well with the FG would take quite some effort. First to find another clock spring unit with more conductors, and then to install for example the BMW motorsports paddles, which alone cost a fortune to purchase. Is there any other Fords that have OEM paddles? Focus perhaps? Any other US models?
Cheers,

MsGS · 12-10-2016, 08:45 PM

What is the advatange of the paddle shift over the regular shifter

**GO FURTHER** · 12-10-2016, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsGS

What is the advatange of the paddle shift over the regular shifter

The only real advantage with true paddle shifters mounted on the steering column is to keep your hands on or close to the wheel when manually changing gears for safety reasons.

malazn mafia · 12-10-2016, 10:28 PM

Could something like a TS-50 AU Falcon setup be adapted to the FG?

mik · 12-10-2016, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

I've always wanted and have waited for someone to bring out an aftermarket paddle shifter kit that can be fitted to the ZF auto.

(Driving the FG XR6T ZF auto in manual mode is just so much fun)

At one time, I recall there was a kit on EBay, which is unfortunately no longer available or produced.

There was also a member on here (I forget his name) who was trying to get a kit to market, but I believe it never eventuated.

Then it got me thinking... Being an ideas man ... Instead of trying to develop a paddle shifter kit that integrates "electronically" with the autos manual mode module (which of course would be best) ...
As an alternative, why not have some sort of extension angled bar that can be clamped to the base of the ZF gear shifter and can be easily removed (using some sort of quick release clamp) , that extends up near the steering wheel.

To illustrate my idea, I've put these two concept images together;

image

image

The above concept images are just to give you an idea of what I am on about.... The actual extension bar of course would need to be designed and angled in various ways both horizontally and vertically to allow the shifter to go from "Park" to "drive", and clear the dash as well as the steering wheel. Also would not get in the way of turning the steering wheel, when the shifter is moved left and right from Drive mode to Performance mode.

Since the shifter is simply pushed forward or backwards to change gears up or down when in manual mode... The extension bar would require very little force or effort to change gears because of the extra "leverage" the bar would give you.

Of the two ideas (Paddle or knob)... I think the extension bar terminating in a knob, would be a better idea.

Call me crazy, and I'm sure there are many reasons why this would not work.... But I'd like your thoughts never the less.

Not even sure if a mod like this would be legal ?

Cables rods and linkages , you are speaking my favorite technology now ....and from my era

, No doubt you could do it if you where determined enough and wanted to put the time and effort into it , which i think would be considerable , imo there would be better ways of doing it though .

STINKY NINJA · 12-10-2016, 11:01 PM

Nah never work, the fg will never be as awesome as a t series au!

mik · 12-10-2016, 11:17 PM

i think the clamped on extended shift thing would end up driving you nuts , just for the simple reason of being there and being in the way .

**GO FURTHER** · 13-10-2016, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

i think the clamped on extended shift thing would end up driving you nuts , just for the simple reason of being there and being in the way .

My thought would be to have some sort of "quick release" style clamp maybe with a curled knob screw, so you could easily remove it.

The idea is you could quickly install it for example on "track days" or just those times when you wanted some fun and spirited driving.

It would also be possible, taking the design one step further, for it to have a lower "locking joint" with quick release so you could fold it out of the way... Maybe towards the passenger side, on downwards towards the back of the console.

Anything is possible with a bit of lateral thinking and "thinking outside the square"

Most people reading this post probably think its a stupid idea and I'm mad, but I have bounced the idea off a number of friends with FG Falcons with ZF autos and they said they would probably buy it if it was commercially available at a reasonable price point.

I have found in life as I get older many people "can't see the wood for the forest" or accept new ideas.

Sabantien · 13-10-2016, 12:18 PM

I saw a video demonstrating the paddle shifters that were available, and it just looked dangerous to me. Didn't turn with the wheel, and way too big and blocking the instrument panel. Also the demo didn't actually show it working, the car was off at the time.

As for attaching a giant stick to the current shifter? I think I'd just use the current shifter as is. One thing i've found is it feels like an age between shifting manually and it actually changing gears, so I find I don't really enjoy manually shifting the ZF in any case.

**GO FURTHER** · 13-10-2016, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabantien

One thing i've found is it feels like an age between shifting manually and it actually changing gears, so I find I don't really enjoy manually shifting the ZF in any case.

That's odd? ... On my XR6T when I change gears manually on the ZF, the auto changes gears instantly.... Much faster than a manual gearbox does?

**Gothefalcon** · 13-10-2016, 05:37 PM

There is already enough room in the FG's clock-spring to take the extra wire feeds required for paddle-shift.

Basically, you just need to connect the wires from the wheel mounted paddles, to the plug on the steering wheel side.... and from the clock-spring, down the column etc.

finding paddle shift buttons which fit nicely onto the wheel isn't an impossible task... but the resistance values would have to match those of the 6spd's Sports-shifter. They could be altered... but do need to be factored in.

Can't see why the paddles couldn't be wired into the loom from the Sports-shifter... but you may still need to move the Auto stick into the "sports auto" position, before the paddle-shifts can be used !??

D

commodorenutt · 13-10-2016, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothefalcon

Can't see why the paddles couldn't be wired into the loom from the Sports-shifter... but you may still need to move the Auto stick into the "sports auto" position, before the paddle-shifts can be used !??

D

That's what I was thinking too.

As long as you can get the signal from the paddles to match the same signal that is generated by the magnet moving over the sensors for a + or - shift, then it's only a matter of moving it into sports mode, then each paddle will be the same as moving the lever in the relevant direction.

You could also make some custom plastic paddles to mount behind the 2 top spokes, pivoted from the edge of the rear cover on the steering wheel, working on microswitches mounted inside the rear cover.

happy1 · 18-10-2016, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gothefalcon

There is already enough room in the FG's clock-spring to take the extra wire feeds required for paddle-shift.

Basically, you just need to connect the wires from the wheel mounted paddles, to the plug on the steering wheel side.... and from the clock-spring, down the column etc.

the resistance values would have to match those of the 6spd's Sports-shifter. They could be altered... but do need to be factored in.

D

Hi Gothefalcon,
I admire your conversion project, and technical insight.
Regarding the FG Paddle wiring, I'm not sure if it will be so easy to re-wire and re-assign some of the buttons? Ref. the wiring diagram where you can see that all the audio buttons are sharing two wires across the clock spring, just with different resistor values. As far as I can see, this circuit needs to go to the ICC, and can't go to via the gear shift switches.
Have you checked the Clock spring connector, to count any spare wires?
(Looks like too much effort to design a new electronic circuit to add more resistance values on the existing wire ).

Anyway, a totally different way would be to use a wireless RF paddle shift kit. (tiny battery in the steering wheel). There are some RF paddle kits available on various hot rod web shops / motorsports shops.

Cheers,

**Gothefalcon** · 18-10-2016, 07:45 AM

Howdy. Three things here.
1. It is possible to rejig the circuit board inside the wheel mounted switch pods. I had to rework the audio pod circuit board and change all the FG resistance values to BA/F, when I fitted the FG wheel to my BF, so the buttons would work with the BF ICC.

2. If you need a few more wires to connect the steering wheel to the column... there is some room left in the clock spring. Basically... The spare wire locations in the steering wheel-clockspring plug are already "wired" through the clock spring... waiting to be used for something.

3. I wasn't actually suggesting reassigning any existing buttons off the switch pods. When I said steering wheel mounted paddles before... I meant new paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

Hope this made sense

D

Sabantien · 13-10-2016, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

That's odd? ... On my XR6T when I change gears manually on the ZF, the auto changes gears instantly.... Much faster than a manual gearbox does?

It feels like a second or so between pulling the lever and the gear changing. Still quicker than manual, but definitely doesn't feel instant to me. The gfs car is instant, but then that's a DSG.

whitelion65 · 13-10-2016, 02:01 PM

...and he votes, too!

commodorenutt · 13-10-2016, 05:35 PM

Same here - the indicator on the dash changes before you've even released the lever, and the gear change happens almost instantly after that.

Danny · 13-10-2016, 05:37 PM

Looks like a disability pack.

xtremerus · 13-10-2016, 06:19 PM

One thing. The weight of that extension lever would automatically down shift when you braked hard. Whether you wanted to or not.

**GO FURTHER** · 13-10-2016, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremerus

One thing. The weight of that extension lever would automatically down shift when you braked hard. Whether you wanted to or not.

Think outside the square.... It does not need to be made of metal

FPR · 14-10-2016, 12:44 AM

I know nothing of the autoelectromagicinary that would be involved but the FG steering wheel already has 2 paddles;

Mode & Cruise.

Reconnect cruise to the lower rightside unused steering wheel button.

Use the ICC instead of mode.

Speak to someone who has already attempted or considered what is required for the up and down shift signals and make use of the paddles already there.

If the paddles aren't big enough for you... make them bigger.

No easy job I'd think but if you nail it right you'll have plenty of friends for sure.

Otherwise I'd consider an extended straight shifter similar to v8supercars over your original suggestion.

Good luck 👍

EB# · 14-10-2016, 07:36 AM

ZF Auto Flappy Paddles, by data_mine.
http://www.fordmods.com/gearbox-susp...es-t66220.html

It appears that the project was not completed, but there is plenty of info there.

**Mechan1k** · 14-10-2016, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EB#

ZF Auto Flappy Paddles, by data_mine.
http://www.fordmods.com/gearbox-susp...es-t66220.html

It appears that the project was not completed, but there is plenty of info there.

See ... I knew he was working on it at some point.

baboon · 14-10-2016, 12:45 PM

Just do what this guy did, its pretty awesome!

BA XR8 Sequential 6 Speed

Good luck!

FPV6 · 14-10-2016, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

Just do what this guy did, its pretty awesome!

BA XR8 Sequential 6 Speed

Good luck!

If its a holinger box his running it probibly worth more then the rest of the car hahahahahaha

Nu66et · 14-10-2016, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV6

If its a holinger box his running it probibly worth more then the rest of the car hahahahahaha

Don't need a Holinger, you can get sequential shifters for T56's for a few grand.

EB# · 14-10-2016, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baboon

Just do what this guy did, its pretty awesome!
BA XR8 Sequential 6 Speed
Good luck!

Hardly a decent showcase of a sequential 6 speeder? More like a video of some bloke driving like a goose and a couple of giggling twats as far as I can see.