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The Art Carr - Winters SideWinder Gated Shifter for Ford C-4 Transmissions uses a mechanical guard bar and stepped steel gate to provide positive, controlled gear selection. Unlike shifters that rely on spring-loaded levers, the SideWinder uses physical gate positions to guide each shift, reducing jam points and giving the driver a direct, repeatable feel during racing, rock crawling, rock bouncing, and performance off-road use.
The steel gate incorporates a physical safety barrier that prevents the shift rod from moving directly into Reverse from a forward gear. Reaching Reverse requires the driver to intentionally navigate the shifter through the designated offset in the gate, helping prevent accidental Reverse engagement during forward operation. Choose from Standard, Reverse, RockGate, or Reverse RockGate patterns to match the transmission configuration and how the vehicle is driven.
Each shifter arrives fully assembled in its own console and includes the cable and linkage hardware needed for installation.
Includes:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Gated Automatic Transmission Shifter |
| Shifter | Art Carr - Winters SideWinder |
| Transmission Compatibility | Ford C-4, 1964 & Later |
| Gate Options | Standard, Reverse, RockGate, or Reverse RockGate |
| Shift Mechanism | Mechanical Stepped Gate |
| Safety Guard | Mechanical Guard Bar |
| Cable Length | 5 ft. |
| Construction | Steel Safety Gate with Winters-Engineered Shift Mechanism |
| Operation | Positive Mechanical Gate Engagement |
| Installation | Shifter Cable & Linkage Hardware Included |
| Transmission | Application |
|---|---|
| Ford C-4 | 1964 & Later |
Fitment Notes:
For custom center consoles and tube chassis installations, the Wide Open Design Shifter Mounting Brackets provide a rigid mounting solution for the SideWinder housing.
The correct gate depends on your transmission configuration and how you want to operate the shifter. The four available options are Standard, Reverse, RockGate, and Reverse RockGate.
Always match the selected gate to the actual valve body and shift pattern of your transmission.
The RockGate is intended for drivers who need to move between forward gears quickly without navigating the traditional stepped stops between each forward gear. This can be useful in technical rock crawling and rock bouncing where wheel speed, traction, and terrain can require rapid gear changes.
The SideWinder uses a stepped steel gate to provide positive mechanical gear selection instead of relying on spring-loaded shift mechanisms. Physical gate positions give the driver a direct and repeatable shift feel while helping reduce missed shifts during aggressive driving.
The gate incorporates a physical barrier between the forward gears and Reverse. The driver must intentionally move the shift rod through the designated gate path before Reverse can be selected, helping prevent accidental Reverse engagement during forward operation.
The Ford C-4 SideWinder includes a 5-foot shifter cable. This works for many conventional installations, but custom tube chassis, unusual drivetrain layouts, and applications requiring complex cable routing should be measured before installation.
Yes. Because the SideWinder operates the transmission through a cable, builders have flexibility when positioning the shifter. The Wide Open Design Shifter Mounting Brackets provide a rigid mounting solution for custom chassis and fabricated interior applications.
Adjustment is performed at the transmission-side bracket. Set both the shifter and transmission in Neutral before adjusting the cable. Proper adjustment helps center the cable travel and ensures complete engagement throughout the available gear positions.
