Looking into buying a Hurst shifter for my 2003 Ranger. My question is, has the venting problem been fixed with Hurst? Will I still need to run a vent hose?

I ask because I see no recent threads on this topic and also I called Hurst and they said they haven't ever heard of this issue?

Thanks for the input.

 

There has never been a Hurst included/revised fix from Hurst themselves.

A thread doesn't have to be recent to be relevant....

I posted this some 4 or 5 years ago here, and I'm sharing it now. The end-all fix it. Take a grinder with cut-off wheel to the lowest Hurst part that bolts to the trans. Slice a groove in it. This replicates the stock breather vent notch. I also scuffed the surfaces of all parts that mate and used RTV Silicone..being sure silicone doesn't fill the groove. I've ran this setup since '08 or '09 and 50k or so with ZERO fluid leaks or weeps.

Note: Previously, there was a fix prior to this idea I came up with that would drill and tap a hole for a hose barb.....and a hose up to the engine bay similar to axles or transfer cases. I prepped my truck for this while my trans was out, but ended up not using it because the slice mod worked so well. The pictures below show this.

 

I did see your modification for this in a thread. I was just weary of it, because it seems unfortunate I have to make cuts to a peice I just pair $230 for!

Thanks for the help though, it will probably be the route I go.

 

I tried all the other modifications people came up with. None of them worked more than a few weeks or even just an hour run on the interstate....until this small slice happened.

It is unfortunate, but it is what it is. The Hurst design doesn't allow any room for a vent that's similar to the stock one. I would rather cut that one piece than what that piece mounts to on the transmission.

 

So glad I found this thread. I got one of these for my ranger since I can't seem to find an fx4 shifter anywhere. This looks like the fix to all leaking problems I've head about with this shifter. I know this is an old thread but thank you for sharing, this thread should be stickied in the how to install a hurst shifter.