Manual transmission drivers - does shifting linkage get smoother with use?

[KreeHBronco]

I am very happy with my 2026 Badlands manual transmission and love the short throw shifter, but shifting into 2nd from 1st or 3rd seems a bit more "clunky?" than other gears. My Bronco is very new with only around 550 miles. I was wondering if the shifting will get smoother with use over time or if it stays pretty much the same.

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[zyglyrox]

I recommend changing the fluid in the transmission, I know it’s like a few hundred $$$ if you buy the fluid and bring it somewhere. But it’ll change the feel dramatically, at least it did for me.

 

[BudgetBronco]

I recommend changing the fluid in the transmission, I know it’s like a few hundred $$$ if you buy the fluid and bring it somewhere. But it’ll change the feel dramatically, at least it did for me.

If you do it yourself you can use very high quality fluid and it will only cost you $75 or so, and yes for me it became noticeably smoother to shift especially 1 to 2 which was always my clunkiest gear as well. If it were me I would probably wait until 5k miles or so just to give the MT a chance to break in and that way when you change the fluid you will be flushing away some of that early break in debris.

Here are four options to choose from all of which meet the Ford spec.
https://www.redlineoil.com/mt-lv-70w75w
https://www.amsoil.com/p/amsoil-100-synthetic-dct-fluid-dct/
https://www.bgprod.com/catalog/driveline/bg-syncro-shift-ii/#Usage
https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-m...J2hLVVZDGZ5OjhN5DJjOMvM43D9qIb3BoCK5EQAvD_BwE

 

[crzyhawk]

I don't have a short throw shifter in mine, I just have OEM. It's buttery smooth.

 

[Q1svt]

@KreeHBronco
Short answer… yes
But also changed the BL 2025 MT transmission oil at 1,000 miles and that made a big difference

There are a couple of threads, most switched to Redline MT-LV
And all felt it was a good change.

 

[Brian_B]

The linkage itself - no change noticed.

Changing out fluid to Redline - made a difference.

What you notice seems to be normal for this Getrag.

 

[KreeHBronco]

I don't have a short throw shifter in mine, I just have OEM. It's buttery smooth.

To me, the OEM shifter has a pretty short throw compared to some other vehicles I have driven. It drives like a somewhat large, tall, sports car. Except on corners, where it feels weird. I think it might be the sidewall threads on the Goodyear Goodyear Territory RTs.

 

[Smocaine]

New knob might help. I feel like the factory multipiece plastic knob flexes and adds some extra vagueness. I'm not sure if changing the oil made a big difference for me, but I am using Amsoil DCT for what it's worth.
Overall though, I don't think it will stop feeling like a pickup truck transmission anytime soon. The cables are a likely culprit.

 

[DALOLA]

Honest question: Why would someone want a short(er) throw shifter on a Bronco? Seems counter-intuitive... like putting a longer throw on your Mustang GT...

 

[UncleBrad]

I am very happy with my 2026 Badlands manual transmission and love the short throw shifter, but shifting into 2nd from 1st or 3rd seems a bit more "clunky?" than other gears. My Bronco is very new with only around 550 miles. I was wondering if the shifting will get smoother with use over time or if it stays pretty much the same.

I agree with several of the posters on this thread: change that transmission oil! I went with this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003P550IE?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2

Made a WORLD of difference, immediately, both with the synchronizer noise and those sluggish shifts.

 

[Brian_B]

I did eventually add a weighted shift knob and that did make the shifts easier - but didnt really do anything for smoothness

Also this trans absolutely will not let you shift in a hurry. It will fight against you if you try to slam between gears. Go calm and methodical and it will glide right in

 

[UncleBrad]

I did eventually add a weighted shift knob and that did make the shifts easier - but didnt really do anything for smoothness

Also this trans absolutely will not let you shift in a hurry. It will fight against you if you try to slam between gears. Go calm and methodical and it will glide right in

Exactly! For a truck, it's great, and certainly much, much better than the offerings of the past. But it's not an old Muncie with a Hurst; it wasn't meant to be! But whatever oil the Chinese shipped these Getrag 7MT's in is truly bad.

 

[Q1svt]

o me, the OEM shifter has a pretty short throw compared to some other vehicles I have driven.

Correct, it is a short throw… some of the difference you feel is the cables between shifter and transmission. Even though it’s a short throw it doesn’t like to be shifted fast … more like a big rig.

Most modern manuals the bottom of the shifter goes directly into the transmission, activating the forks.. If you look under your B passenger side it has counter weights where the cables connect to transmission.

I just posted this link in a different thread but you might like it….

 

[Sparkie]

My OEM shifter has been fine going up and down all gears.

 

[KreeHBronco]

I did eventually add a weighted shift knob and that did make the shifts easier - but didnt really do anything for smoothness

Also this trans absolutely will not let you shift in a hurry. It will fight against you if you try to slam between gears. Go calm and methodical and it will glide right in

I too replaced my OEM knob with an aftermarket Twisted Shifter round one. It's great. I don't have an issue shifting, I just noted that getting into 2nd gear seems to be more slow/clunky than any of the other gears. Even getting into C is smoother. Sounds like it may smooth out a bit over time and changing my trans oil post break-in might also help.

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