Hurst Olds Lightning Rods

[littlerascle59]

Great idea, I think that most of the sales will be from people that have a car that already has bucket seats and the factory console. So selling a kit to convert from the "T" handle to this will be big, but like others have said they may need even more if they have a bench seat so lets not forget about them.

Idk, here's an idea if you want Lightning Rods but wanna keep your bench seats. I've never sat it in a bench seat car to see but maybe Toby & Brian could probably look into this as well for those that would want this type of application. My 3 Speed Lightning Rods came with it's original shifter cover that I think would look okay with bench seats. Here's a pic....
Believe it or not, their are alot of guys who prefer bench seats over bucket seats so their could be potential for this idea.

Btw, not trying to sound like a prick but will y'all be making obvious indicators on the newer ones so that people won't be trying to pass the newer ones off as the original ones from 83/84?

 

[tobyp]

The prototype looks good. From an engineering standpoint, are (or can) you address some of the issues that the original shifter had, such as wear on the pins, etc? Might be a case of using better materials than the original for those areas. I work in Engineering, and IMHO, it's always better to over engineer something
I would be very interested in purchasing a set to replace the stock shifter in my '87 442. I've been looking at different types of shifters to put in (eventually), but haven't found one yet that I like (would much prefer a Hurst...then I could put Hurst Equipped on the trunk ).
'Would it be correct to say that in a car that was already console equipped, you would need the shifter pack, shifter cable, and top plate to complete the conversion?

A few things would be needed that we have been thinking about. You need a cut template. A pair of whiskers, a top plate, a tin mid plate, 4 screws, a different shifter cable, a z bracket for the front mount, base mount and a different shifter cable bracket on the trans pan. Then you will have a successful lightning conversion. Sounds like a lot but it isn't.

 

[Bweavy]

The prototype looks good. From an engineering standpoint, are (or can) you address some of the issues that the original shifter had, such as wear on the pins, etc? Might be a case of using better materials than the original for those areas. I work in Engineering, and IMHO, it's always better to over engineer something
I would be very interested in purchasing a set to replace the stock shifter in my '87 442. I've been looking at different types of shifters to put in (eventually), but haven't found one yet that I like (would much prefer a Hurst...then I could put Hurst Equipped on the trunk ).
'Would it be correct to say that in a car that was already console equipped, you would need the shifter pack, shifter cable, and top plate to complete the conversion?

The shifter brackets, cables are already taken care of. The consoles, top plates,aluminum, rubber, & brushes have been addressed. Sad part is like Toby previously stated. We had the top plate, rubber,brushes, & I think the aluminum out for quote. They built the complete shifters before we have had quotes back on the above parts in the U.S.
I took the liberty of sending the parts we were waiting on over already with another shifter for comparison purposes of what they completed.

 

[Bweavy]

Great idea, I think that most of the sales will be from people that have a car that already has bucket seats and the factory console. So selling a kit to convert from the "T" handle to this will be big, but like others have said they may need even more if they have a bench seat so lets not forget about them.

Idk, here's an idea if you want Lightning Rods but wanna keep your bench seats. I've never sat it in a bench seat car to see but maybe Toby & Brian could probably look into this as well for those that would want this type of application. My 3 Speed Lightning Rods came with it's original shifter cover that I think would look okay with bench seats. Here's a pic....
Believe it or not, their are alot of guys who prefer bench seats over bucket seats so their could be potential for this idea.

Btw, not trying to sound like a prick but will y'all be making obvious indicators on the newer ones so that people won't be trying to pass the newer ones off as the original ones from 83/84?

Is that 2 jacks for an 8 track player head phones in the back? 🙂 That would be a great cover set up for a floor mount. Onterested in renting it?
I don't think there will be obvious marking due to this being a restoration piece. It will be a buyer beware & have to look for certain signs. Better steel, construction etc..


I d

 

[littlerascle59]

Great idea, I think that most of the sales will be from people that have a car that already has bucket seats and the factory console. So selling a kit to convert from the "T" handle to this will be big, but like others have said they may need even more if they have a bench seat so lets not forget about them.

Idk, here's an idea if you want Lightning Rods but wanna keep your bench seats. I've never sat it in a bench seat car to see but maybe Toby & Brian could probably look into this as well for those that would want this type of application. My 3 Speed Lightning Rods came with it's original shifter cover that I think would look okay with bench seats. Here's a pic....
Believe it or not, their are alot of guys who prefer bench seats over bucket seats so their could be potential for this idea.

Btw, not trying to sound like a prick but will y'all be making obvious indicators on the newer ones so that people won't be trying to pass the newer ones off as the original ones from 83/84?

Is that 2 jacks for an 8 track player head phones in the back? 🙂 That would be a great cover set up for a floor mount. Onterested in renting it?
I don't think there will be obvious marking due to this being a restoration piece. It will be a buyer beware & have to look for certain signs. Better steel, construction etc..


I d

No those aren't jacks. The previous owner of it thought it would be a good idea to drill two holes in it and put two switches on it. I was gonna get two stainless steel circle cutouts the same size of the holes and TIG weld them in and scotch brite the heat marks away. Won't be able to tell that it was ever drilled. Only thing that would need to be changed is the metal cover part because the the first rod on the 4 speed shifter goes farther back if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Silent viewer]

you can count me in for at least one set, i may want these in all 3 of my g bodies. i bought a set a few years back that had all sorts of issues so i sold them. my 442 will for sure be getting a set as soon as you make these available. mad props for solving the issue of finding these for a realistic price!

 

[darthvaderolds]

As far as top plates go...Toby's idea of trying to reproduce an exact repop is great but really only good if you are doing a restro project on a real 83-84 Hurst Olds .., I have and do make a reproduction but it is not an exact duplicate, and if you are adding them to a G Body I would say my top plate would suffice. I have sold over 1000 of these and will continue to do so, and for those who do not need an exact repro I will offer to the list for at least half the cost of Toby's repop of the original. Can make them in any color also for custom installs, and can get close to 87 442 grey interior cars and an exact match to 86 442 interior pieces . it's great that Toby has moved forward on these parts it will be great for everyone. If you need an exact original definitely buy Toby's if you need a custom top plate for a conversion you can't go wrong with mine. Made in the USA

 

[jociha]

it's great that Toby has moved forward on these parts it will be great for everyone. If you need an exact original definitely buy Toby's if you need a custom top plate for a conversion you can't go wrong with mine. Made in the USA

Thank you Darthvader for making the parts in the USA. Sadly the lightning rods are made completely in Taiwan. I don't want to sound mean, or pick on anyone but i, and many wish they would move production of them home. I really want a set but i will not do it. Some will, and thats ok but more will if they were made here.

 

[tobyp]

it's great that Toby has moved forward on these parts it will be great for everyone. If you need an exact original definitely buy Toby's if you need a custom top plate for a conversion you can't go wrong with mine. Made in the USA

Thank you Darthvader for making the parts in the USA. Sadly the lightning rods are made completely in Taiwan. I don't want to sound mean, or pick on anyone but i, and many wish they would move production of them home. I really want a set but i will not do it. Some will, and thats ok but more will if they were made here.

Our top plate that Angelo mentions is indeed made in USA (Detroit). Unfortunately it is taking A LONG time for us to get the part made. You are correct. More people would buy them for $600.00 and wait for a year to get them made it would work out for us all. We are shooting for an entire Lightning rod setup will all components to do a conversion for $600.00

Here are some of the pictures of the brackets that were just released and approved for reproduction.

All pieces are factory EDP PPG primed ready to go

here is the Z bracket needed for the front console mounting


The Hurst Lightning Rods mid plate and Z bracket is already available with Gbody parts.com


The regular console mounting brackets are available as well


And the bucket seat conversion brackets are available

 

[tobyp]

Well all,

Never thought it was quite possible but they made them correct. I will be bringing the shifter pack with me to the Gbody Nationals for those to see them in person. Now they are a little raw. Like they need the hurst name scripted in them. The rods need a better cut and polish. These are meant to test for function in the car. I wanted to share some of the progress.