True, original shifter has a bit long travel. It deserves a short shifter. I bought Ralco RZ shifter which suits Cougar, Contour, Mondeo, etc, etc, but to my bad luck it really doesn't suit Cougar.
The 'not-so-sophisticated'
raised area wont allow the shifter to move right, means I cant engage 5th or reverse. I bought this long back but couldnt spare time to fit this. With not much choice, I chopped off the so called raised area and now I dont have to lift up for reverse.
The shifts are not just short but very crisp. Seriously short shifts, I feel like the gear is not engaged, will take sometime to get used to it.