Today, I removed the OEM shifter and put in a new one. I got it off ebay for cheap.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260191248252
It took about 3 hours, because I had to figure things out, and fiddle. It only should take you an hour an a half.
You will need a set of screwdrivers and metric sockets, as well as needle or duck nosed pliers, a hammer, an auld or pick, and a large vice grip or channel locks. In addition, I needed a drill press, table grinder and angle grinder. You might not need these (depending on the kit you buy).
First step is to remove the shift knob and boot. The know screws off and the boot should come off with a little force. It's held on by clips. When you're done, you will be looking at your cage. Also, remove the little white biscuit that holds the boot up.
Next, remove the centre console. It's held in by 5 screws. I only show one side of the console, same on both.
One in the cupholder:
One by the seat cushions:
One in the foot well:
This exposes your SRS module, and the entire cage. First step is to remove the small pin with an auld and hammer. Make your you remove the rubber sheath and hold that.
You will probably have to hammer on the left side of the pin to move it a bit, then remove the lock washer that holds it on. Push the pin through from right to left.
Wedge off the locking washer on the left side of the front pin. It can be a real hog to get off. You can now remove the triangular shift plastic thing and spring.
Using pliers, remove the locking pin on this peice. Don't lose it.
It should now look like this:
Next, to disconnect the bottom shift peice. You can remove the pin holding with your hands.
The shifter is now completely disconnected from the transmission.
Remove the 4 bolts (12 mm I think) from the base.
Using vise grips (or other plierish tool), pry up on the metal plate that holds in the cable. (There's two)
Next, remove the wiring from the cage with pliers, the clip is underneath.
Hurray, cage is out!.
Now, at this point, I COULD NOT get the right side locking washer off the pin, I had to cut it off with a dremel.
A whack with the hammer and auld and the pin was dislodges. Note the pin is collared, so it can only go out one way.
You can now remove the shift ball housing.
You need to remove that little white plastic thing from the end of the old shifter and put it on the new one.
A vise works good. Don't squeeze too tight.
New shifter (left) vs old (right)
The important part here is the bottom half, notice the length difference.
Because I had to cut off the locking washer, I drilled a hole though that end of the pin, shimmed it with washers and cotter pinned it.
In this particular kit, the risers don't fit with the rubber feet of the stock cage, so use pliers to remove them.
Next. The peice of metal that sits behind the cage needs to be removed (just pull on it). Problem being is that the risers don't line up with the oem holes because the hit the side of this bracket. I used an angle grinder to take down the edges.
Before:
After:
Also, because the cage sits higher, the right shift cable in the car would rub against the cage, so you need to cut out a small peice of the cage. A jigsaw worked well.
Now, time to reinstall the cage. I recommend attaching the bottom cable first, then bolt the cage down, and replace the side cable. Also, make sure you replace those steel plates in the back. Voila!
At this point, I'd quickly screw on your shift knob and go for a spin, make sure it works!
Replace the centre console and your done!
This is optional, but I also replaced the knob to a TRD one and used a new shift boot. This one came from pancake.
Unfornately, this boot is a velcro thing, so It needs to be fixed the the shifter. Turn it inside out and put if over the shifter.
Zap-strap it in place.I also used some red electrical tape to hold it up.
Pull it over, attach it to the old base plate and replace the knob, done!
Conclusion:
Immediately after installation, I noticed shifts were MUCH quicker. They were a bit more rough then before, and needed more effort, but the speed is remarkable. I'd definitely recommend this one. If you have any questions, just pm or email me!
Good luck.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260191248252
It took about 3 hours, because I had to figure things out, and fiddle. It only should take you an hour an a half.
You will need a set of screwdrivers and metric sockets, as well as needle or duck nosed pliers, a hammer, an auld or pick, and a large vice grip or channel locks. In addition, I needed a drill press, table grinder and angle grinder. You might not need these (depending on the kit you buy).
First step is to remove the shift knob and boot. The know screws off and the boot should come off with a little force. It's held on by clips. When you're done, you will be looking at your cage. Also, remove the little white biscuit that holds the boot up.
Next, remove the centre console. It's held in by 5 screws. I only show one side of the console, same on both.
One in the cupholder:
One by the seat cushions:
One in the foot well:
This exposes your SRS module, and the entire cage. First step is to remove the small pin with an auld and hammer. Make your you remove the rubber sheath and hold that.
You will probably have to hammer on the left side of the pin to move it a bit, then remove the lock washer that holds it on. Push the pin through from right to left.
Wedge off the locking washer on the left side of the front pin. It can be a real hog to get off. You can now remove the triangular shift plastic thing and spring.
Using pliers, remove the locking pin on this peice. Don't lose it.
It should now look like this:
Next, to disconnect the bottom shift peice. You can remove the pin holding with your hands.
The shifter is now completely disconnected from the transmission.
Remove the 4 bolts (12 mm I think) from the base.
Using vise grips (or other plierish tool), pry up on the metal plate that holds in the cable. (There's two)
Next, remove the wiring from the cage with pliers, the clip is underneath.
Hurray, cage is out!.
Now, at this point, I COULD NOT get the right side locking washer off the pin, I had to cut it off with a dremel.
A whack with the hammer and auld and the pin was dislodges. Note the pin is collared, so it can only go out one way.
You can now remove the shift ball housing.
You need to remove that little white plastic thing from the end of the old shifter and put it on the new one.
A vise works good. Don't squeeze too tight.
New shifter (left) vs old (right)
The important part here is the bottom half, notice the length difference.
Because I had to cut off the locking washer, I drilled a hole though that end of the pin, shimmed it with washers and cotter pinned it.
In this particular kit, the risers don't fit with the rubber feet of the stock cage, so use pliers to remove them.
Next. The peice of metal that sits behind the cage needs to be removed (just pull on it). Problem being is that the risers don't line up with the oem holes because the hit the side of this bracket. I used an angle grinder to take down the edges.
Before:
After:
Also, because the cage sits higher, the right shift cable in the car would rub against the cage, so you need to cut out a small peice of the cage. A jigsaw worked well.
Now, time to reinstall the cage. I recommend attaching the bottom cable first, then bolt the cage down, and replace the side cable. Also, make sure you replace those steel plates in the back. Voila!
At this point, I'd quickly screw on your shift knob and go for a spin, make sure it works!
Replace the centre console and your done!
This is optional, but I also replaced the knob to a TRD one and used a new shift boot. This one came from pancake.
Unfornately, this boot is a velcro thing, so It needs to be fixed the the shifter. Turn it inside out and put if over the shifter.
Zap-strap it in place.I also used some red electrical tape to hold it up.
Pull it over, attach it to the old base plate and replace the knob, done!
Conclusion:
Immediately after installation, I noticed shifts were MUCH quicker. They were a bit more rough then before, and needed more effort, but the speed is remarkable. I'd definitely recommend this one. If you have any questions, just pm or email me!
Good luck.