Ruckstell linkage
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Topic author - Posts: 414
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Moorehead
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Touring, 25 Coupe,
- Location: Louisville, KY
Ruckstell linkage
I am about to finish a Ruckstell in our 24 Touring. Everything is essentially done and installed with the exception of the linkage. Would anyone happen to have a basic drawing of that linkage? I have seen several different ways to do it. The ones I have had previously are just conduit cut to length, bent and then split at each end to allow for a clevis pin at each end. I guess I’m being lazy and could fit one trial and error method. A real drawing would just be so nice
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
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- Posts: 4727
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Ruckstell linkage
I make that piece by welding a clevis into 1 end & coupling nut in the other of 1/2" conduit. Use a piece of all thread(aprox 6") & another clevis. Makes for fine adjustment for shift lever top location.
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- Posts: 217
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:04 pm
- First Name: Jim
- Last Name: Eubanks
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 touring, 1927 cpe
- Location: Powell, TN
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Tom, It is my opinion that the midship support extends life of the shifter mech. on the rear end. Seems like most of the used ones need repair when you find them and I suspect they were run with no midship support on the rod. That may be something to consider when fabing a shift rod.
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- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Warren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Roadster, 25 Pickup , 26 Canadian Touring , and a 24-28 TA race car
- Location: Henderson, Nevada
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Tom, I agree with both John and Jim. I also want to add the straighter that you can make it the easier it will be to shift. It will be less springy, the mid support will also help. Another thing, just preference, But I like the after market linkage that is mounted just aft of the emergency brake and the shifter comes out the same hole as the e brake. It makes it much easier to get in and out of the car and is handier.
24-28 TA race car, 26 Canadian touring, 25 Roadster pickup, 14 Roadster, and 11AB Maxwell runabout
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something

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Topic author - Posts: 414
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:31 pm
- First Name: Tom
- Last Name: Moorehead
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Touring, 25 Coupe,
- Location: Louisville, KY
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I do have the center support and will be using it. Will also be using the standard fourth main shifter, however i have had the e brake after market and it did OK too. I will add adjustments to at least one end.
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- Posts: 3699
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
- First Name: Larry
- Last Name: Smith
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
- Location: Lomita, California
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Doesn't Chaffins already sell one?
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- Posts: 4727
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Ruckstell linkage
I also strongly prefer a left side shifter also. Have both styles. Would never install a center shift on a personal car. Unless you have a foot throttle, the center shift requires some juggling to work the throttle & shift at the same time.
Have installed aftermarket left shifters customers. Not that impressed.
Make my left shifters from emergency brake lever units. ($5 @ swap meets). Remove the pawl & lever, weld the holes & grind like they were never there. Mount right behind stock emergency brake. Makes for a really clean set up and easy shift/throttle.
Have installed aftermarket left shifters customers. Not that impressed.
Make my left shifters from emergency brake lever units. ($5 @ swap meets). Remove the pawl & lever, weld the holes & grind like they were never there. Mount right behind stock emergency brake. Makes for a really clean set up and easy shift/throttle.
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- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Warren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Roadster, 25 Pickup , 26 Canadian Touring , and a 24-28 TA race car
- Location: Henderson, Nevada
Re: Ruckstell linkage
John, could you post a couple of photos, I will be installing my ruckstell soon. Thanks jw
24-28 TA race car, 26 Canadian touring, 25 Roadster pickup, 14 Roadster, and 11AB Maxwell runabout
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something

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- Posts: 4727
- Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:24 pm
- First Name: john
- Last Name: karvaly
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14/15 wide track roadster. 23 touring, 27 roadster pickup, 20ish rajo touring
- Location: orange, ca
- Board Member Since: 2020
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Sorry, I am not currently that technicalogally capable.
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- Posts: 5172
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Ruckstell linkage
Search "left hand Ruckstell shifter" - Tom Carnegie from Spokane did a nice pictorial on building one out of an orphaned handbrake a while back - pretty slick !
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- Posts: 1070
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Warren
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 14 Roadster, 25 Pickup , 26 Canadian Touring , and a 24-28 TA race car
- Location: Henderson, Nevada
Re: Ruckstell linkage
24-28 TA race car, 26 Canadian touring, 25 Roadster pickup, 14 Roadster, and 11AB Maxwell runabout
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something
Keep it simple and keep a good junk pile if you want to invent something

-
- Posts: 5172
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:18 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Tomaso
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring, 1919 Centerdoor, 1924 TT C-Cab Express, 1925 Racer
- Location: Longbranch, WA
- Board Member Since: 2001
Re: Ruckstell linkage
You are most welcome !