Piggies Short Shift

[posaunemeister]

So, I picked up a Piggies short shifter (engine bay) on eBay. It arrived yesterday and I installed it last night, which only took a whopping 2 minutes to do so. I went through the gear box motions before driving on and was instantly pleased by how short the shifts were. Then I took the Yaris for a brief drive and it was a joy to drive. The SS definitely adds even more pleasure to driving the Yaris. Yes, the movement is a little more firm, but by a very small amount. I like it. The firmness makes the car feel more expensive. It's hard to explain. You just have to try it for yourself (well, those who haven't already). I'm going to lubricate the metal parts with some silicone spray in a few minutes to see if that makes the shifting even more smoother. I will let you all know.

Btw, I paid a minuscule $60 (USPS Priority Mail shipping included) and it looks just like the JDM kit. And the customer service/communication was excellent (Thanks, Mike!).

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Piggies-Short-Shift-Shifter-Kit-Toyota-Yaris-Scion-xD_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhas hZitem3c9a8d2ad8QQitemZ260290980568QQptZMotorsQ5fC arQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Cheers.

[posaunemeister]

Yeah, lubricating the SS, the washer, hair pins, and the moving metal parts with silicone spray definitely made the stick movement even better. Now it functions just as it should have when it first left the factory.

My NST 10% underdrive pulley should arrive tomorrow. Once that's installed, I should be done [for good] with my "modifications". It's not like I'll ever race my Yaris or anything. I just want to enhance the joy and fun on my everyday driving.

[ozmdd]

Good post. Thanks for the info.

[PHXDEMON]

I have the same SSK but I couldn't get the cotter pin in the part that goes over the top of it (it seemed like the pice was manufactured just slightly too thick). Then it got stuck on there so I just gave up on installing it. Been using it for about a year now without problems though :iono: Other than that I have no complaints.

[blacksandiegovitz]

Yeah , my next modd for sure along with some shifter cable bushing too

[etheliters]

What are the bushings for on shifters?Good info. Thanks for the review.

[posaunemeister]

You all are very welcome. I've been doing a lot more driving since my initial post. I really dig the short(er) distance that the stick has to travel. Th motions are very clean, as opposed to the sloppy stock motions which at times make it difficult to distinguish 1st from 3rd gear, or 2nd from 4th gear. Likewise, it's definitely a great product at a very affordable price.

PHXDEMON, my [cotter] pin fit in the hole very easily, especially after a little silicone spray, and that's even with the washer on, too. You should probably check to make sure the SSK is firmly in position, or maybe lubing all of the components will help the components swivel into place. Then again, if it's been working for a year without any problems, it's probably best to leave well enough alone, eh?

[MUSKOKA800]

I've enjoyed mine for ~80,000 kl. now. Good value.

[RedRide]

This may just be my next mod. :smile:

[PHXDEMON]

You all are very welcome. I've been doing a lot more driving since my initial post. I really dig the short(er) distance that the stick has to travel. Th motions are very clean, as opposed to the sloppy stock motions which at times make it difficult to distinguish 1st from 3rd gear, or 2nd from 4th gear. Likewise, it's definitely a great product at a very affordable price.

PHXDEMON, my [cotter] pin fit in the hole very easily, especially after a little silicone spray, and that's even with the washer on, too. You should probably check to make sure the SSK is firmly in position, or maybe lubing all of the components will help the components swivel into place. Then again, if it's been working for a year without any problems, it's probably best to leave well enough alone, eh?

I threw plenty of muscle PB blaster and WD40 at it for 30 minutes before giving up, but yeah it has been fine for over a year so I guess the pin isn't 100% necessary.

[AlexNet0]

^lol

[POORSHA]

There are two parts suppliers on the 2008s. The nst have the same problem with the cotter pin. Some people grind it to make the pin fit.

good luck

[Y@R15]

so thts the 2ZR transmission shifters that the yaris shares?

[Sandwash]

Does anyone have any experience with toyota TRD shortshift-ware and how this varies from other after-market equipment?

[RedRide]

I just go my Piggies SS from e-Bay but, there is a problem.

It appears the SS does not sit low enough to expose the hole on the shift arm pin for the stock cotter pin.
I suspect a badly machined SS and now, I just have an expensive paper weight. :mad:

I notified the seller and await his response but, my hopes are not too high for a resolution.

Udate: I received a reply from the seller describing the cause and simple soulution was described. I will try it again tomorow morning. Now it's off to work :smile:

[aca72]

Nice review! I like mine too!

[PHXDEMON]

I just go my Piggies SS from e-Bay but, there is a problem.

It appears the SS does not sit low enough to expose the hole on the shift arm pin for the stock cotter pin.
I suspect a badly machined SS and now, I just have an expensive paper weight. :mad:

I notified the seller and await his response but, my hopes are not too high for a resolution.

Udate: I received a reply from the seller describing the cause and simple soulution was described. I will try it again tomorow morning. Now it's off to work :smile:

What was the solution? I had the exact same problem with mine.

[RedRide]

As the problem is, not enough of the hole is revealed to insert the pin, the soulution was to taper the end of the pin with a file to get it started.
However, this did not work and I still can't get it installed.

I might wind up modifying the SS with my dremel.

BTW, the cause if this is, athough the SS is a precision machined part, the shift arm and pin isn't and can vary is size sometimes.

[PHXDEMON]

As the problem is, not enough of the hole is revealed to insert the pin, the soulution was to taper the end of the pin with a file to get it started.
However, this did not work and I still can't get it installed.

I might wind up modifying the SS with my dremel.

BTW, the cause if this is, athough the SS is a precision machined part, the shift arm and pin isn't and can vary is size sometimes.

Are you 100% sure on that :iono: You and me seem to be the only people with this issue and we both have the piggies kit.

[toast]

Are you 100% sure on that :iono: You and me seem to be the only people with this issue and we both have the piggies kit.

I had the same problem too. Took a couple of swipes with the dremel on the piggy and all was well. I thought it was strange but figured I bought cheap and had to throw in some of my labor to make it work. Been running it since feb '09 with no problems since install.

[EPyarisdriver]

hmm im still thinking about getting this piggies ss. very tempting

[mazilla]

hmm im still thinking about getting this piggies ss. very tempting

Is that product still available? This thread is old and I couldn't find the SS anywhere online(so far).

[MUSKOKA800]

Is that product still available? This thread is old and I couldn't find the SS anywhere online(so far).

Mine came from eBay. Not sure of any other source. Good Luck!

[EPyarisdriver]

Is that product still available? This thread is old and I couldn't find the SS anywhere online(so far).

I honestly cant find one for my life...:iono:

[cali yaris]

^ no longer available. I am producing our own Micro Image SSK, which will include the extra bracket just like the new TRD one does.

Pricing will be VERY good, awaiting a prototype to test and production is a GO.

Thanks

[mazilla]

^ no longer available. I am producing our own Micro Image SSK, which will include the extra bracket just like the new TRD one does.

Pricing will be VERY good, awaiting a prototype to test and production is a GO.

Thanks


:thumbup::thumbup:

[EPyarisdriver]

^ no longer available. I am producing our own Micro Image SSK, which will include the extra bracket just like the new TRD one does.

Pricing will be VERY good, awaiting a prototype to test and production is a GO.

Thanks

Ill be the guinea pig for this. :w00t:

[cali yaris]

^ works for me

[Tylermayer]

Ill be the guinea pig for this. :w00t:

hahah same here:thumbup:

when do you think this will come out?

[cali yaris]

1. design and drawings approved
2. receive prototype and test fit on car
3. confirm production of many units
4. wait for shipment to arrive.

We are on #2. :smile:

[SKurj]

Put me down for one.. do you have an 2009 to test with? (if there are any differences)

[EPyarisdriver]

1. design and drawings approved
2. receive prototype and test fit on car
3. confirm production of many units
4. wait for shipment to arrive.

We are on #2. :smile:
Awesome. ive got a 10. hope to try it soon!!:burnrubber:

[mazilla]

I have an 07' if you need to test on an older model too... :)

[MUSKOKA800]

1. design and drawings approved
2. receive prototype and test fit on car
3. confirm production of many units
4. wait for shipment to arrive.

We are on #2. :smile:

Garm,
What function does the bracket perform.
I`ve a Piggies which has been flawless for three years and nearly 100,000kl.
Will you sell this bracket separately if desirable.

[cali yaris]

The price is going to be competitive even with the extra bracket.

The replacement bracket (your car has a stock one) moves the shifter cable mounting points to match the short shift piece. The extreme "notchiness" should be alleviated with this design change.

[SKurj]

Any ETA Garm? looking to possibly combine with some more stuff for an order.

[RedRide]

The price is going to be competitive even with the extra bracket.

The replacement bracket (your car has a stock one) moves the shifter cable mounting points to match the short shift piece. The extreme "notchiness" should be alleviated with this design change.

I just looked at my linkage and there is a metal casting that supports the linkage in question.
Does the "bracket" replace or fasten to that to raise the linkage higher so it doesn't meet the SS at such an extreme angle?

[cali yaris]

Correct -- it replaces the stock linkage bracket (it's a "vertical" bracket with two large slotted holes for the cable linkage).

[BEEF]

cali,

are you talking about the same short shifter that we were talking about previously? the under the hood one at that transmission or is this another one in cabin?

really interested.

[cali yaris]

This is the engine bay short shift kit, like the newer TRD one that Toyota sells (but won't sell to me) :cry:

[RedRide]

Now I'm confused. Is it in cabin or "under hood"?

[cali yaris]

my bad, corrected; ENGINE BAY SHORT SHIFT KIT.

whew

[BEEF]

I am still very interested in it then. I like the fact that it is in the engine bay. that way I don't mess with my interior. have a bad habbit of messing stuff up.

let us know when it is ready. BTW, I have a 2008 3 door.

[mazilla]

I am producing our own Micro Image SSK, which will include the extra bracket just like the new TRD one does.

Pricing will be VERY good, awaiting a prototype to test and production is a GO.

Thanks


Any ETA Garm? looking to possibly combine with some more stuff for an order.




It's official, the prototype has been installed... :headbang:

I installed the new Micro Image SSK on my 07 liftback last night!! With the addition of the bracket the entire short shift system really feels complete. The immediate difference is the smoothness while shifting between gears. This appears to be due to the shifter cables now being free from the tension normally on them when you install the short shifter adapter alone(due to the angle change). Also, for those concerned with weight savings, there seems to be about a 1lb difference between the factory bracket and the lighter MI bracket. I pulled the battery for this one, it made it easy to install give the area a little cleaning and at the same time made it very easy to do the install. I also removed and painted the battery tray as it was getting rusty.



If you're considering a SSK, do it. Even my wife loves the SSK, You should have seen how excited she was when she got home after taking the Yaris to work. "I can shift so fast!" is the first thing she said when she stepped out of the car. :burnrubber: I was like :eek:


*sorry for the dirty engine, but this car does have 450K+ miles on it. Only 275K(ish) on this engine however...so I guess I'm slacking.

THE GOODS
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8190-1.jpg
TOP SHOT OF THE ENGINE BAY
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8220.jpg
OLD BRACKET VS. NEW BRACKET
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8211.jpg
OLD BRACKET REMOVED
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8212.jpg
NEW BRACKET IN (TOP VIEW)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8213.jpg
NEW BRACKET IN (FRONT VIEW)
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8214.jpg
NEW BRACKET + ADAPTER **UPON COMPLETION DON'T FORGET THE ORIGINAL WASHERS GO ON TOP OF THE BUSHINGS, I LEFT THEM OFF FOR THE PICTURE ONLY.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb230/mr-mazilla/IMG_8216.jpg

[cali yaris]

good job, production run is approved, should have them soon :)