It depends on how much I like my passenger!
If she's hot, I want a column shifter,[sm=kissykissy.gif]if she's not....floor shifter for sure...

 

This is by NO MEANS mine but thought it might be useful to others. Hope it works



I've already done somewhat of a how-to on this subject before for a 1st gen.. (www.pghconsulting.net/howto) This is my second gen one... I don't have some pics, I will add those when it warms up.

Tools Needed:
10mm socket
13mm socket
Drill (Depends on your current center console)
Wire Crimper and butt connectors
T25 Torx
T20 Torx
4.5mm socket (or equivilent reverse torx)
10mm box wrench
Flathead screwdriver
hammer

Parts Needed
Console
Shifter
Misc nuts (try to get the originals that came with it)
washers
Shifter Cable (GM Part # 15713353)
Steering wheel cowl (upper and lower) from a manual shift truck w/ tilt steering (or without tilt if you don't have tilt, get appropriate cowl)

Wiring: Instructions and clarifications at the end of this how-to

Remove old center console. There will be 2 nuts under the arm reset compartment, use a 10mm socket to remove these, then there is a nut to remove under the cup holders, the front just pops off it's clips.

If you have the center console that has the 2 cup holders mounted lenghth wise, then no drilling is required...

Turn the plate so that the wider end is facing towards the front of the truck, there is already a hole there that will fit on the stud that the cup hold section of your old console was on. (Note: You may have to take some of the bow out of the mounting plate to level it right so that the console will sit flush on the carpet, put it on the ground and use a hammer) Use the original nut and tighten down... Trust me that plate won't move. (For those of you with the wide front console where the cup holders are side by side and the retaining nut is under the tray, you will need to drill holes.. Just premount your console and shifter and mark where it needs to be drilled... Use lag bolts to hold it in, see www.pghconsulting.net/howto on how to do that)

Mounting Plate:



Disconnect your old shifter cable. This will require removing the bottom portion of your steering wheel cowl. Use a t20 torx. You will see where it mounts just below the column shift mechanism. Simply use a flat head screwdriver to pop it off. (Be sure to remove the U clip on there 1st, you will need that clip later) Disconnect the other end from the shifter plate on the detent rod on the tranny. (Use a flat head screwdriver to pop it off) Lift up the driver side carpet and you will see the cable w/grommet going through the floorboard.. Pull that grommet and pull the cable through into the car (or out of the car, your choice) You may have to remove the bracket on the transfer case holding the cable to move it.

(note: this is a first gen picture, but applies to the second gen as well)



Put the new cable in the same way just in reverse, but do not hook it up to the transmission yet. Route the cable under the carpet and through a hole in front of where you mounted the shifter.



Put the shifter on top of the plate and add washers to the rear stud to level it out...Just keep loosely putting on the console till it looks like the shifter gear indicator is flush with the console, and the console is flush with the carpet. Secure the shifter to the plate.



Run the cable through the hole in the shifter frame and attach it to the ball-stuf. Insert the U clip into into the base so it doesn't slip out.

Secure the console to the shifter and hump. Use the 2 10mm bolts in the cup holders for the front half, and the 2 10mm nuts under the arm rest compartment to

 

I have the column shifter and I think it's great. It doesn't bother me and takes up less space than the ground shifter. Plus I don't like floor shifters because I'm always afraid that if I have 1 or more of my 5 dogs in the car, that they'll knock the shifter and change gears while I'm driving. I wouldn't like that.
I have the cup holders and stuff in the center console because I don't have the floor shifter. Plus, it's not all that difficult removing the dash with a column shifter....

 

What!? you let dogs in your car!! I would never let a dog in mine unless they are on a basket or a kennel.

I prefer, either. my mom's Envoy has the console shifter, but mine hascolumn. I like the shifter in our 81 Z28, semi-auto.

 

I do let dogs in the car. Heres a pic of 4/5 of them.... But yea, as I said before, I prefer the column shifter because it's safer and takes up less space.

 

Floor shift for sure. All my Jeeps were floor shift and I think it's way better than colum shift. We have a Dodge Cummins in the family and it has the column shift, I always miss gears on it. I also like to rest my hand on the shifter while it's in drive, can't do that in a column shift and keep your elbow on the center console!!

Laters,
Chris

 

Why have an automatic Jeep? Not that it matters. My dads'79 CJ7is auto, butI wish so much it was manual, still fun to drive though!

BTW Speedy, how do you tell which dog is which? LOL

 

Column shift for sure, (even though I hate automatics) for the space. And Ihave no trouble putting it in D and not accidentally going to 3 or anything. If i'mgonna change gears on the floor,it's manual or bust.

 

Well I always had a manual up until I got my Grand Cherokee. That was my first auto and I got lazy. Now i'm a slave to it. My first 3 Jeeps were standard tho, bullet proof let me tell ya. Auto trannys suck for reliability.

 

Floor shift for me, lol, Though I wouldn't mind trying a 3 on the tree...