Short Throw Shifter Install
Author: BIGHOSS88LX
This shifter install is preformed on a 88 Mustang but is basically the same on all 79-04 manual transmission Mustangs with the T-5, T-45, or the TR-3650. This install is a very basic modification that can be preformed by anyone with little mechanical skills and knowledge on the 90-04 models. Pre-90 Mustangs require the removal of the center console to gain access to the two rear-most upper shifter boot bolts. The removal of the center console can be tedious and is recommended you have sufficient knowledge of its removal and install. I will have a quick description of the console removal so we can get to removing and installing the shifter in detail. Also I am removing an aftermarket shifter but the removal of the stock shifter is identical.
Tools needed:
Ratchet
Sockets
Phillips Screwdriver
T-25 Torx
Pry Bar or Long flat head screwdriver
Hammer
Gasket scraper
RTV Gasket Maker
Blue Locktite
87-89 Mustang Console Removal Quick Rundown:
Push front seats all the way foreward so you can see the oval shaped plugs on both sides of the rear part of the console below the armrest. Remove the plugs and there will be 2-8mm bolts on each side. Remove those and pull the arm rest off. That will expose two Phillips screws on the back part of the top of the console and removing the shifter bezel will expose two more screws. To remove the shifter bezel unscrew the shifter knob and remove it. Pop the shifter bezel off and the shifter boot should come with it. Now remove the other two screws and lift the console top off and unplug the lighter and light connection under it. If you have power mirrors you will unplug the switch there also. Now you must open the glove box to expose the two screws holding the right side of the lower part of the console to the dash. Remove those. Remove the lower dash below the steering wheel. There are two torx screws at the bottom to remove. Once you have that out of the way that will expose the two Phillips screws holding the left side of the lower part of the console to the dash. Remove those. Then there are 2 more 8mm bolts at the rear part of the lower console holding it to the floor. Get those out. Then you must remove the HVAC control trim and remove the radio. After all that you should be able to remove the lower part of the console and have access to the rear most bolts on the upper shifter boot. Now for the easy part……
1. Remove the shift knob by unscrewing it from the shifter handle. Remove the shifter trim bezel and boot. If you must remove the console to gain access to the rear upper shifter boot bolts, remove the console now as outlined above.
2.Using an 8mm socket remove the upper shifter boot from the floor. There are 4 bolts. You may have to remove the shifter handle to slide it off. If so remove the 2 bolts holding the shifter handle on then slide the boot off to expose the shifter base.
3. Remove the 4 bolts holding the shifter to the transmission.
4. If you’re lucky you can just use moderate upward pressure to remove the shifter base from the transmission, but that is hardly the case as they are usually stuck fairly good. There are two other forceful methods of getting the base to break free. The first that I have had little luck with is to re-install the handle and knob and do a mad 1-2 power shift and sometimes that will break it free. If not the last method will take care of it. Raise the car and support it with stands. Take a long screwdriver or pry bar and position it on the bottom of the shifter base under the car and strike the screwdriver or pry bar with a hammer until it breaks free.
5. Now once you have the shifter base removed you can scrape the old gasket material off the transmission and be careful not to get any inside. Remove any transmission fluid that may be on there so the RTV will stick correctly. Also make sure the plastic bushing that the end of the shifter rides on in the transmission is in the hole that the end of the shifter goes into the transmission and is in good condition. If it needs replacing its time to do so now and if yours is old it’s a cheap preventative maintenance item.
6. Apply a thin coat or your favorite RTV on the transmission where the shifter mounts and spread it with your finger so its applied evenly.
7. Now set your new shifter onto the transmission and make sure the end goes into the hole in the shifter block of the transmission where that plastic bushing is. Your shifter should have came with new longer than stock mounting bolts. Apply a small amount of lock tite to them and screw them in. The lock tite will keep them from ever backing out or the bolts from siezeing up in the transmission. Tighten down bolts fairly tight, but not tight enough where you bust a testicle doing so.
8. Install the shifter handle temporarily. Now you must adjust the shifter stops on the new shifter. This is how I do it but you may want to read the adjustment procedure from your shifter manufacturer.
Back off the stop bolts so that the shifter moves freely into all gears.
Place the shifter in third gear. Push forward firmly on the lever while turning the stop bolt in by hand until it contacts the shift lever. Once the stop bolt contacts the shift lever, back off the bolt 1/6 turn, until there is a small air gap (about .010") between the shift lever and the stop, while still applying pressure to the lever. Pushing on the lever takes all of the slack or play out of the linkage,ensuring you get the proper adjustment.
Hold the bolt with a wrench while tightening the jam nut against the shifter tower with another wrench.
Double-check the space between the shift lever and the stop bolt. When you push very hard on the shift lever it should barely contact the stop bolt, but when you let go of the lever it should not touch the bolt, but instead have a small air gap between them.
Place the shifter in second gear and adjust the other stop bolt as outlined above.
Shift the shifter through all gears and double check the stop clearance in each gear. The shifter must be able to shift freely into all gears without interference from the stop bolts.
Stops that are set too close to the shift lever may prevent the gears fully engaging, causing serious damage to the transmission. The stop bolts are there to prevent the lever from being over -extended. They should not be engaged during normal operation. When in doubt, leave a little extra space between the lever and the stop bolt.
9. Now that you have the shifter stops properly adjusted there is usually a boot that goes over the shifter assembly that the manufacturer supplies that you will install now. You will need to remove the shifter handle though to install it.
10. Now you can install the upper shifter boot with the 4 bolts you removed from the floor. Also you can install the shifter handle this time permanently.
11. Install the shift boot, bezel, and knob. If you have a console to install do it now and that will finish up this install.
The author believes the above information to be true and accurate, however it is strictly for educational purposes only. Neither Lonestarstangs.com nor the author can be held liable in any manner for consequential damages occurring from the use of said information.
 |
Originally Posted by timpryor
