FWIW: I put a custom shifter in an '85 S-10, basically a Hurst stick on the stock T5, bolted it to the stub coming up out of the trans., and it held up for over 100,000 miles.
The 85 S10 had a standard shifter and was not a short throw. Since the short throw version has a pivot pin that's further away from the ball tip, that means the little ball sees more stress from leverage. That doesn't mean that my repair is doomed to fail, but is does factor into the equation.
Basically, I think if it shifts like butter when I finally give it a test drive, then I'll go with it. I have my spare short throw shifter as back up. I sure would hate to have it fail while I'm on the road.
The ball end of the shifter is hardened to resist wear, and welding in that area has probably annealed (softened) it. It's going to wear pretty quickly.
Jerry
Jerry, thanks for the offer to help harden the parts but if I get too nervous I'll just cut up my other short throw shifter and call it a day. The ball end sits inside a plastic cup in the shifter box, so I doubt the ball end will wear very quicky. Time will tell.
