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- #1
First off, love the results, the shifter is completely worth it and I'm really glad I installed it at such an early stage of the bronco's life.
I was tempted to make a video cause I haven't seen any on the install itself but I have no faculties for that and just wanted to jam it out. Overall the instructions were good, I wish there was some clarifying info in a few critical spots.
Spot number 1:
You'll notice that on the plastic just under where the grab handle attaches, that there are some significant vertical scratches, this makes me sick to my stomach but overall it's not the end of the world. There are some ways to deal with interior scratches but this could've been easily avoided and it'll never be the same. Useful clarifying info would be: the edges of this center console panel are extremely sharp and the interior plastics are incredibly soft and pliable, almost spongy. If you look closely at the right side of that handle bracket, there are tiny "tooth mark" dents, that was from me just resting the panel into the floorboard as the instructions showed early on in the process. It would've made sense to just remove the wire loom holder and disconnect the 4wd selector switch but I was following it to a T not thinking this would damage anything. I've worked in a lot of cars and have rarely encountered a plastic interior so sensitive.
After noticing those marks I took measures to protect the center console, and wrapped the end of the panel in 4 layers of paper towel thinking that would be plenty, and I carried on with the job. It was only at the end in this moment when I discovered even my paper towel padding wasn't enough and it had been tearing into the plastic as I was fiddling with all the rest, the instructions have you bending out that plastic to remove the handle bracket. As you can see I put styrofoam from the shifter box in between after it was too late. Just not well thought out and I deeply regret not listening to my instincts, I wanted to unplug the 4x4 selector but thought whatever I'll play ball.
Spot number 2 I don't have a picture for, but will probably grab a pic tomorrow and edit this post:
The cable adjuster clips on the passenger side of the transmission under the car are extremely fragile. They're these orange things and the instructions say to push them to the outside of the cable. They hold on both "top" and "bottom" in a claw fashion, so you do have to bend them out a bit to push the clip out. It can be done by hand and the instructions shoud've specified that and expressed how brittle they are. I had a screwdriver on hand but hadn't gotten to using it yet. I like to test things and be careful when I'm working with clips and plastics, I barely moved it with my thumb and it snapped off. I'm not a strong person and I have a pretty delicate touch with things so that was kinda shocking. Anyway I managed to get those adjuster clips out and back in very carefully but I'll be seeking out a replacement for the one I broke. It should hold due to the design but I'm not comfortable with letting that go long term.
Ok with that over, I gotta repeat I love the mod, it's absolutely a drastic change over what is a mostly good shifter setup from the factory.
The ergonomics are vastly improved and the shift throws are a lot shorter. I thought the height might be awkward with hvac and radio controls but I didn't notice any troubles operating all that when driving. I love that it's closer to the steering wheel and I can rest my elbow on the center console and use my wrist and fingers to shift it. When it was oem I would on occasion keep my elbow to my side and reach around the center console, idk it made sense sometimes, I don't feel any need to do that and everything flows much better.
Ford really should consider a shifter similar to this either standard or as an option it's a lot better.
Anyway, here are some random pics, I find it so extra that B&M anodized the internals despite them being hidden but whatever, it's a really well made product!
Closing thoughts about tools and skills:
Be sure you have plastic interior wedge tools, these are critical in a few spots, and it really helps to have the pliers type of plastic tap separator for the shift cable ball ends. For the disassembly of the shift tower you'll absolutely need a dentist/gasket pick thing, and I found screwdriver type sockets and punches useful in a few places. I used dielectric silicone grease for the pins and cable connections and recommend it for that oem spice.
Do not attempt this if tearing apart your new car makes you squeamish, I've worked in new cars before but have never owned one until now, I really am kicking myself about the panel scratches and clip breakages, but oh well! I'm just glad I tend to make mistakes on my own stuff lol
Only attempt this if you're comfortable with fiddly hours long jobs, the instructions are overall really good with pictures and notes for certain steps that provide context etc, they'll get you thru it. It's 11 pages and comes in paper. Am tired of QR code instructions on a lot of stuff lol
Fun vehicle is even more fun now and drives better
I was tempted to make a video cause I haven't seen any on the install itself but I have no faculties for that and just wanted to jam it out. Overall the instructions were good, I wish there was some clarifying info in a few critical spots.
Spot number 1:
You'll notice that on the plastic just under where the grab handle attaches, that there are some significant vertical scratches, this makes me sick to my stomach but overall it's not the end of the world. There are some ways to deal with interior scratches but this could've been easily avoided and it'll never be the same. Useful clarifying info would be: the edges of this center console panel are extremely sharp and the interior plastics are incredibly soft and pliable, almost spongy. If you look closely at the right side of that handle bracket, there are tiny "tooth mark" dents, that was from me just resting the panel into the floorboard as the instructions showed early on in the process. It would've made sense to just remove the wire loom holder and disconnect the 4wd selector switch but I was following it to a T not thinking this would damage anything. I've worked in a lot of cars and have rarely encountered a plastic interior so sensitive.
After noticing those marks I took measures to protect the center console, and wrapped the end of the panel in 4 layers of paper towel thinking that would be plenty, and I carried on with the job. It was only at the end in this moment when I discovered even my paper towel padding wasn't enough and it had been tearing into the plastic as I was fiddling with all the rest, the instructions have you bending out that plastic to remove the handle bracket. As you can see I put styrofoam from the shifter box in between after it was too late. Just not well thought out and I deeply regret not listening to my instincts, I wanted to unplug the 4x4 selector but thought whatever I'll play ball.
Spot number 2 I don't have a picture for, but will probably grab a pic tomorrow and edit this post:
The cable adjuster clips on the passenger side of the transmission under the car are extremely fragile. They're these orange things and the instructions say to push them to the outside of the cable. They hold on both "top" and "bottom" in a claw fashion, so you do have to bend them out a bit to push the clip out. It can be done by hand and the instructions shoud've specified that and expressed how brittle they are. I had a screwdriver on hand but hadn't gotten to using it yet. I like to test things and be careful when I'm working with clips and plastics, I barely moved it with my thumb and it snapped off. I'm not a strong person and I have a pretty delicate touch with things so that was kinda shocking. Anyway I managed to get those adjuster clips out and back in very carefully but I'll be seeking out a replacement for the one I broke. It should hold due to the design but I'm not comfortable with letting that go long term.
Ok with that over, I gotta repeat I love the mod, it's absolutely a drastic change over what is a mostly good shifter setup from the factory.
The ergonomics are vastly improved and the shift throws are a lot shorter. I thought the height might be awkward with hvac and radio controls but I didn't notice any troubles operating all that when driving. I love that it's closer to the steering wheel and I can rest my elbow on the center console and use my wrist and fingers to shift it. When it was oem I would on occasion keep my elbow to my side and reach around the center console, idk it made sense sometimes, I don't feel any need to do that and everything flows much better.
Ford really should consider a shifter similar to this either standard or as an option it's a lot better.
Anyway, here are some random pics, I find it so extra that B&M anodized the internals despite them being hidden but whatever, it's a really well made product!
Closing thoughts about tools and skills:
Be sure you have plastic interior wedge tools, these are critical in a few spots, and it really helps to have the pliers type of plastic tap separator for the shift cable ball ends. For the disassembly of the shift tower you'll absolutely need a dentist/gasket pick thing, and I found screwdriver type sockets and punches useful in a few places. I used dielectric silicone grease for the pins and cable connections and recommend it for that oem spice.
Do not attempt this if tearing apart your new car makes you squeamish, I've worked in new cars before but have never owned one until now, I really am kicking myself about the panel scratches and clip breakages, but oh well! I'm just glad I tend to make mistakes on my own stuff lol
Only attempt this if you're comfortable with fiddly hours long jobs, the instructions are overall really good with pictures and notes for certain steps that provide context etc, they'll get you thru it. It's 11 pages and comes in paper. Am tired of QR code instructions on a lot of stuff lol
Fun vehicle is even more fun now and drives better
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