Here are a few pics of the White Lightning shifter design progression. Earliest to most recent from left to right:
It is noteworthy that the WL #3 is a fair bit taller than #2 which was taller than #1. This may be insignificant but I was already thinking that my shifter stick is pretty long. When I get to the point that all I have to complain about is placement of the shifter ball I will gladly accept the challenge to correct that issue.
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The tear in the boot appears to be from being forced over the ball. It may not have effected the performance of containing fluid but a flaw is a flaw. The use of some sealer or epoxy on this #2 WL made me think it was a little proto-typish as well.
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WL #3
WL #3 with ball articulated
Backstory, When I bought my T56 and specified the White Lightning Shifter as an upgrade Sieg was entrenched with his videography and leakage diagnosis and sharing it with the masses here at Lat-G. Thankfully this led to me being very explicit about my concerns that it could happen to me.
As it turns out "Life happens" and my shifter is brand new in box at the time I learn that AP unveiled a new White Lightning design incorporating a seal. I called to inquire and was offered a swap even though mine had never presented a problem or even been installed.
When #2 shows up it's boot was slightly torn. Apparently from being slid over the ball. When I report this AP states they are meeting with their machinist and going over a reworked baseplate and speccing a different seal. I am told to hang onto the first 2 until the 3rd comes with an RMA shipping label which took about 5 weeks.
I never had an issue with the timeline due to "Life" but I figured it gave me the chance to snap these pics for you all before I returned #1 and #2. This thread seems like the right place to share them now. I really am impressed with the current version and in evaluating it's construction do not see how fluid could make it up and out of there.
69znc, do you recall what version your WL looked like?.. or when did you take delivery?