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The Winters Ford C6 SideWinder Gated Shifter provides positive, repeatable gear selection for off-road vehicles, race trucks, street builds, and custom projects using the Ford C6 automatic transmission. Instead of relying on spring-loaded lockout levers, the SideWinder uses a stepped steel gate and mechanical guard system to physically guide the shift handle through each transmission position.
The Ford C6 is a heavy-duty three-speed automatic commonly used in high-torque Ford applications, making positive gear selection especially important in performance and off-road builds. The SideWinder's gated design gives the driver defined shift positions while an offset section of the gate requires deliberate movement before the shifter can enter Reverse. Each shifter arrives fully assembled in its own console and includes a 5-foot cable and C6 shift linkage hardware for installation.
Includes:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Winters Performance Products |
| Product Type | Automatic Transmission Gated Shifter |
| Shifter Series | SideWinder |
| Transmission Compatibility | Ford C6 Automatic Transmission |
| Transmission Type | 3-Speed Automatic |
| Shift Mechanism | Mechanical Stepped-Gate Design |
| Reverse Protection | Offset Mechanical Safety Gate |
| Console | Included |
| Cable Length | 5 Feet |
| Transmission Linkage | Included |
| Assembly | Ships Fully Assembled |
Fits:
Common Applications:
Installation Notes:
For custom installations, the Wide Open Design Winters Shifter Mounting Brackets provide a rigid, pre-drilled mounting foundation for the SideWinder housing.
The Ford C6 is a strong three-speed automatic that is commonly used behind high-torque Ford engines. In an off-road or performance vehicle, the SideWinder gives the driver clearly defined gear positions and a simple mechanical cable-operated shifter that works well in custom cockpit and console layouts.
The stepped steel gate physically guides the shift handle through the transmission positions. Each position is defined by the shape of the gate, helping the driver make deliberate and repeatable gear selections without relying on a spring-loaded lockout lever.
Reverse is located behind an offset section of the gate. The driver must intentionally move the shift handle through that offset before entering Reverse, helping prevent an accidental direct shift from a forward gear into Reverse.
The correct gate depends on the valve body and shift pattern inside your C6. A standard automatic transmission requires a gate that follows the standard shift sequence, while a C6 equipped with a reverse-manual valve body requires the corresponding reverse-pattern gate. Always match the SideWinder gate to the actual shift pattern of the transmission.
The included 5-foot cable works for many front-engine vehicles and custom builds. Longer cables may be needed when the shifter is mounted farther from the transmission or when the cable must take a longer route around exhaust, drivetrain, or chassis components.
Yes. Because the SideWinder uses a flexible push-pull cable instead of rigid linkage between the shifter and transmission, the shifter can be positioned to work with many custom cockpit layouts. The shifter itself should be mounted to a rigid structure so the housing does not move during aggressive gear changes.
Place both the C6 transmission selector and SideWinder shifter in Neutral before making the final cable adjustment. Once adjusted, move the shifter through the entire range and verify that every shifter position fully engages the corresponding transmission detent without binding or placing unnecessary tension on the cable.
