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: (1) Fully Assembled Winters SideWinder Powerglide Gated Shifter (1) 5-Foot Shifter Cable Transmission Shift Linkage Hardware Integrated Steel Gate and Mechanical Reverse Guard Specifications 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 Fitment Compatible Transmission: Powerglide Automatic Transmission Gate Compatibility: Standard-pattern Powerglide valve bodies when paired with the correct standard gate Reverse-manual Powerglide valve bodies when paired with the correct reverse-pattern gate Common Applications: Drag Racing Vehicles Sand Cars Off-Road Buggies Rock Bouncers Race Cars Street Rods Custom Tube Chassis Vehicles Installation Notes: Confirm the transmission valve-body shift pattern before selecting the gate configuration. The shifter gate must match the transmission's actual shift sequence. Verify the included 5-foot cable is long enough for the planned routing. Set both the transmission and shifter in Neutral before final cable adjustment. After adjustment, verify full engagement in Park, Reverse, Neutral, and all forward ranges before operating the vehicle. Keep the shifter cable away from headers, exhaust heat, sharp bends, and moving drivetrain or suspension components. Custom mounting may be required in fabricated consoles and tube chassis applications. For custom installations, the Wide Open Design Winters Shifter Mounting Brackets provide a rigid, pre-drilled mounting foundation for the SideWinder housing. FAQ Why is the Winters SideWinder popular with Powerglide transmissions? 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. What does the gated shift mechanism do? 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. How does the Reverse safety gate work? 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. Do I need a standard or reverse-pattern gate? 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. Is the included 5-foot cable long enough? 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. How should the shifter cable be adjusted? 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.
