Moving auto shifter back?

Starboard M · Nov 24, 2009

After finally installing my 4 point shoulder harnesses the correct way, I am now having an issue reaching the shifter when Im strapped in.

Im 6'2'' and have the seat moved back fairly far back, and I cant shift all that well from anything farther forward than Drive.

So, has anyone moved the entire shift assembly farther back? I will not be running a center concel, and I dont think a dash will be going back in either, so I am not limited by that stuff.

Anyone done it, thought about doing it, seen anyone do it?

Johnnie Walker · Nov 24, 2009

umm.. modify the shifter.. maybe install a newer shifter bar that is angled back farther.

IslanderOffRoad · Nov 24, 2009

97 + shifters were shaped a bit differently and might help you, you can swap it in for yours.

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAuto97+Shifter.htm

kastein · Nov 24, 2009

If you do decide to move it, shouldn't be a problem, the whole thing unbolts at once so I guess you could just cut the opening it mounts into a little further back then cover up the resulting hole at the front. It's all cable shifted anyways so as long as the cables reach you're in the clear IMO.

Starboard M · Nov 24, 2009

IslanderOffRoad said:
97 + shifters were shaped a bit differently and might help you, you can swap it in for yours.

http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAuto97+Shifter.htm

I thought about that, but I cant really reach the shifter in my 99 either without leaning forward. That is a slick install though.

kastein said:
If you do decide to move it, shouldn't be a problem, the whole thing unbolts at once so I guess you could just cut the opening it mounts into a little further back then cover up the resulting hole at the front. It's all cable shifted anyways so as long as the cables reach you're in the clear IMO.

I was thinking the same thing, I was just hoping someone had done it before and knew how far back the shifter could go. Im going out to work on it here in a couple hours, so I guess I will report back when I do.

256offroad · Nov 24, 2009

i need to do this same thing. i have the same problem when strapped in i cant reach the shifter either. i would like to have it real close.

let me know how it goes!

Johnnie Walker · Nov 24, 2009

Get a Hurst or B&M ratchet shifter and make it work! So I dont have to figure it out as well. lol!

joe_peters · Nov 24, 2009

Johnnie Walker said:
Get a Hurst or B&M ratchet shifter and make it work! So I dont have to figure it out as well. lol!

Agree, or you could try and disassemble and then heat and bend the later model shifter to angle it more to you.

Blaine B. · Nov 24, 2009

I did the same thing with the 97+ shifter. I also use Grand Cherokee ZJ handles for the trans shifter as well as the tcase shifter.

Letterman · Nov 24, 2009

Matt, I put a B&M short throw shifter in my junk, the way I had it set up, it was really close to the dash and I would hit switches with my knuckles. I pulled it out put some heat on it and put a good bend to it right at the base, it moved it back about 4 inches and now it fits good.

Just make sure you pull it out and remove any rubber gaskets or shifter knobs that might melt when heating.

ehall · Nov 25, 2009

you ought to be able to join two shafts together somehow. the only real problem would be the nylon insert for the thumb button, but just cut and glue two of them together and you'll be golden there too

RollTider · Nov 25, 2009

Anyone ever used something like this?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/BMM-80775/

ktm racer 419 · Nov 25, 2009

fyi

the aw4 shifter cable from a 94 is about 3 feet longer than a 91

no idea why

figured this out when i did a engine swap my old 91

Starboard M · Nov 25, 2009

Alright, got it all figured out.

I wanted to do this as cheap as possible, with the parts I had at home. Im fairly certain it will be a simple install, but I ran out of time and daylight.

So, since I was in the process of ripping my dash out, and the center concel is already gone, it was a fairly easy process.

Please forgive the mess, and lots of wires.

Pull out the four 13mm bolts holding the shifter down

Set aside, and looks like this

Remove the tcase shifter boot you got at Vatozone halfway to the 'con because of the heat coming through the huge hole in your floor, and then remove the 10ish 8mm bolts holding the black plate down to the floor.

Plate all the way off

Shifter sticks down about 2''. Why Jeep did that and cut a huge hole in the floor, rather then some sort of flush mount I have no idea.

Moved the black plate thing back. I need to figure out how to cover the hole farther forward, but more on that tomorrow.

I was able to move the shifter back about 5'', which is exactly what I needed.

More on this tomorrow, but I know its possible now.

Cost to me: $0

256offroad · Nov 25, 2009

ktm racer 419 said:
fyi

the aw4 shifter cable from a 94 is about 3 feet longer than a 91

no idea why

figured this out when i did a engine swap my old 91

good info!

i guess ill be thinking up a new center console idea!

with the ease of the shifter sitting higher and further back as well as installing a novak shifter it should be alot more comfortable shifting when strapped in.

ehall · Nov 25, 2009

make sure the shifter cables will reach and still actually work before you go permanent. one is for the park lock, the other is for the AW4

kastein · Nov 25, 2009

Starboard M said:
Shifter sticks down about 2''. Why Jeep did that and cut a huge hole in the floor, rather then some sort of flush mount I have no idea.

The huge hole is the greatest common denominator, it covers the cutouts for both the manual and automatic transmission "shift towers" from what I understand. Saves them a large sheetmetal pressing line and a lot of part number/bookkeeping hassle to just use two different adapter plates on the same front floor pan.

Starboard M said:
Moved the black plate thing back. I need to figure out how to cover the hole farther forward, but more on that tomorrow.

teflon coated cookie pans to the rescue!

Starboard M said:
Cost to me: $0

:thumbup:

256offroad · Nov 27, 2009

update? how did it go?

R.DesJardin · Nov 28, 2009

ehall said:
make sure the shifter cables will reach and still actually work before you go permanent. one is for the park lock, the other is for the AW4

This is what I uderstand to be the greatest challenge.
Why not make a pivot arm and use a rod to connect to the relocated shifter. I'm making my own floor shifter and plan on doing something like that so I can have it closer to me. Along with a....shifter, should be sweet then.

256offroad · Dec 1, 2009

btt.... any update on this?

Moving auto shifter back?

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