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The Winters Powerglide SideWinder Gated Shifter provides positive, repeatable gear selection for drag cars, sand cars, off-road buggies, rock bouncers, race vehicles, street rods, and custom builds using a Powerglide automatic transmission. Instead of relying on spring-loaded lockout levers, the SideWinder uses a stepped steel gate and mechanical guard system to guide the shift handle through each transmission position.
The Reverse position is protected by an offset section of the gate that requires deliberate movement before the handle can enter Reverse, helping reduce the chance of an accidental gear selection during aggressive driving or competition use. Each shifter arrives fully assembled in its own console and includes a 5-foot shifter cable and transmission linkage hardware for installation.
Includes:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Winters Performance Products |
| Product Type | Automatic Transmission Gated Shifter |
| Shifter Series | SideWinder |
| Transmission Compatibility | Powerglide Automatic Transmission |
| 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 |
Compatible Transmission:
Gate Compatibility:
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 Powerglide is widely used in drag racing, sand cars, and lightweight performance builds because of its simple two-speed design and proven durability. The SideWinder pairs that transmission with a mechanical gated shifter that provides clear, repeatable gear positions without relying on spring-loaded lockout levers.
The stepped steel gate physically guides the shift handle through the transmission positions. Defined paths and stops help the driver make deliberate shifts and reduce the chance of moving past the intended gear position.
Reverse is positioned behind an offset section of the gate. The driver must intentionally move the shift handle through that offset before entering Reverse, helping prevent a direct accidental shift from a forward range into Reverse.
The correct gate depends on the valve body installed in the Powerglide. A conventional automatic valve body requires the appropriate standard-pattern gate, while a reverse-manual valve body requires the matching reverse-pattern gate. The gate must match the transmission's actual shift sequence.
The included cable works for many front-engine vehicles and compact custom builds. Rear-engine layouts, stretched chassis, or installations requiring more complex routing may require a longer cable.
Place both the transmission selector and SideWinder shifter in Neutral before making the final cable adjustment. Once adjusted, move the shifter through the complete gear range and verify that each shifter position fully engages the corresponding transmission position without binding or excessive cable tension.
