Art Carr - Winters SideWinder Gated Shifter

for TH400 Transmission

Unlike standard shifters that rely on spring-loaded levers, theWinters SideWinder Shifter utilizes a mechanical guard bar and a stepped steel gate to govern gear selection. This design eliminates the risk of "jamming" common in spring-actuated systems and ensures positive gear engagement through physical stops.

The gate is engineered with a fail safe physical barrier that prevents the shift rod from entering the reverse gate from any forward gear. To reach reverse, the operator must intentionally navigate the rod through a specific offset in the steel gate, making an accidental shift into reverse mechanically impossible during high-speed forward operation.Each TH 400 shifter arrives fully assembled in its own console and includes the hardware you need to get it installed quickly.

Includes:

• Fully assembled Winters SideWinder TH400 Gated Shifter
• 5 ft. shifter cable
• Shift linkage hardware
• Integrated steel safety guard

Specifications

• Model: TH400 Winters SideWinder Standard Shifter
• Guard Bar: Mechanical, fail-safe design
• Cable Length: 5 ft.
• Construction: Steel safety gate with Winters-engineered shift mechanism
• Operation: No springs, no levers, no jam points
• Installation: Includes cable & hardware

Fitment

The Winters TH400 Gated Shifter can be installed on:

• GM TH 400 Transmission

For those mounting the shifter into a custom center console or tube chassis, the Wide Open Design Shifter Mounting Brackets provide a rigid foundation that prevents shifter "flex" during aggressive gear changes. It is pre-drilled for a bolt-on fit with the Sidewinder housing.

Tech Insight

1. Why is the Winters SideWinder Shifter a top choice for TH400 transmissions?
The TH400 Race Transmission is one of the most trusted transmissions in off-road and racing due to its strength and simplicity. The Winters SideWinder complements it with a positive gated design that delivers consistent, no-miss shiftsideal for rock crawling, Ultra4, and high-horsepower builds.

2. What Gate do I need for my TH400 Shifter? Standard, Reverse, Rock Gate, or Reverse Rock Crawl?

• Standard Gate follows the factory shift pattern (P-R-N-D-2-1) and is used with stock or lightly modified transmissions.
• Reverse Gate is designed for reverse manual valve bodies, where the shift pattern is flipped (P-R-N-1-2-3/4).
• Rock Gate (Rock Crawl Gate) removes traditional stops between forward gears, allowing fast, direct movement between gearsideal for technical crawling where quick adjustments matter.
• Reverse Rock Crawl Gate combines a reverse manual pattern with an open forward gear layout, giving maximum control in competition crawling or rock bouncing environments.

3. Is the included 5-foot cable sufficient for TH400 setups?
In most front-engine applications, yes. The 5-foot heavy-duty cable works well for standard installs. For custom chassis, rear-engine layouts, or complex routing around exhaust and suspension, longer cable options are available to maintain smooth operation.

4. How do I properly set up the TH400 shifter?
Set both the shifter and transmission in Neutral before adjusting the cable at the transmission bracket. Proper adjustment ensures full engagement across all gearsPark, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Lowwhich is especially important on TH400 builds used in demanding off-road conditions.