Dodge Ram Mega Shifter Install

Ryne,Got the parts all lined Up and ready to go! This Weekend coming I'm gonna finish the front grille and lights install on my magnum, then This Shifter Job will be next for Sure! (along with Cab Lights for the Roof).

As we know It's Winter...LOL... and I've spend at least 7-8 hours shoveling out my driveway in the last week (need to fix my snowblower /auger belt toast) so thats been taking up alot of my time along with settining up new furniture for the Wife.

I have a choice of 2 x warm shops, but with all the snow the snow equipment and emergency Truck has been taking up the warm spaces and clearing the snow has been a problem.

SO prolly no update for another two Weeks for sure!

....

Wow! Almost a month later. Hell still too cold! But that said, Truck Grounded and I have to change another 4x4 Hub bearing Assy (long story) in the driveway tommorrow and it'll be -23 before windchill (prolly -30) Not supposed to be out more than 10 minutes but been like that last couple days and I been working down Range in this **** so kinda conditioned.

Anyhow back to the Thread, Ryne I can't wait to get this mod done as I think it will be a cool edition to my ride. Parts lined up a waitin! If we can get some mild weather like last week (Chinook Winds) I'll be good to go. Been workin mostly on the Magnum with a little heater in my rented Garage but the Ram won't fit and I mcan't squeeze in through the door...LOL.

Thanks for the reminder Dude will post up again next Month or surprise when its done.

hmmm more excuses..... it's 30 here!

This Thread should have been Called....FLOOR SHIFTER....Sorry but New Update Folks.

Well the B&M Mega Shifter is in and works but not 100% complete! It only took 11 Months since I started this Thread. Its been a Busy year and wanted to get this done before Winter.

I have a couple more hours work left on her to fully complete (Ran outta Daylight).
So give me a 1/2 hour Guys and Gals to type in further comments and I'll post up the Pics of Todays Work!

1st I said good-bye to the flip down Coffee Tray as I had a Cup!





The new Tray.



Installed with a Light tucked under the top (there was an opening there anyhow).
Notice two wires to the right will be the power for the lighted selector on the floor shifter and tied into the other light. Both are on a switch as my in dash selector will still work as per normal.



Also changed out the stereo assy while I had the dash covers off.



Next step/Post is the Shifter Itself.

First I did a dry Fit of the plastic cover and the floor (mounting) bracket and shifter which needs to line up to the plastic cover (It bolts to the shifter which bolts to the mounting bracket)!



Floor Bracket is extented to maximum height and I can rest my arm on the arm rest and my hand is at good height to reach and rest on the handle (will show that tommorrow when its all buttoned up).

Positioned as close to the 4x4 shifter cover as possible on the left carpet imprint line.



Marked where she sat in preparation to drill my holes (Gun Tape eh!)




Fastened (Only Time a second person is required to push down on the bolts while attaching the washers and nuts underneath. Takes time as it is tight between the tranny and floor pan on a 4x4 with transfer case and there is underpading heat chit under there too).



Next i drilled the hole in the front (3/4") and did a dry cable fit).




Long story short (about the cable) is I ended up drilling a second hole further FWD as my cable had too much bend in the first 2 inches off the run coming out of the shifter bracket so no problem I just used a rubber floor plug on that 1st hole and a holey grommet/some padding/and some handy gun tape on the final 2nd hole and the cable still stays within the front edge of the tapered off Plastic Shifter cover.

Tightened the shifter to the secured floor mount then secured the cable onto it after feeding the cable through the floor and adjusting/fitting my grommet (Had to make one radius cut first).

Next step/Post is hooking up the cable to the Tranny and finishing up the OEM steering column.

First removed OEM FWD bracket after unclipping the cable at the selector.



Cable test fit with the 2 x new manufactured brackets from Earlier Post on PAGE 3 # 30.



Checking the Shifting adjustments took the Longest. With out a 5 page novel, I basically started in L1 then I detached the OEM cable which was tranny selector switch all the way FWD (front of Truck). It took quite a few adjustments on the cable nuts through the cable bracket (pic above) and the pin into the selector bracket to get it all right. At first I could only go down to Low 1 but not up all the way into park, then Park but not past Low 2. Eventually I had the adjustment range down Pat where I was happy in Park and could shift all the way down to Low 1. Then I tightened up the nuts on the cable and sufficient bend in the end pin "cotter Pin".

Next Pic is not the clearest but it shows where I attached the cable onto the tranny in a big loop and out of the way of the Header so I used lots of "Zap-Straps/Tie-Wraps".



As for the OEM Cable that runs through the Fire wall I just ran it along the drivers fender and secured it with straps to existing wire bundles and then tucked it in behind the battery, you do not know its there unless you look. I will place a P-Touch Label on it to Identify.

Finally for today, I then proceeded to remove the two piece column plastic and removed the OEM shifter Arm (Piece of Cake)!



Cut and marked the OD Button (above) and then removed it from the shifter arm and relocated it on the dash. R/H and did the O/D light in Drive Test....Good to Go.



Finished look with new 2 Piece column Plastic surround.



Tommorrow I will completed this job and post up some additional Pics. I am exited about the end look as I have yet to add the cool stuff especially the T-Handle.

Thanks for Looking. Danny

Looks good so far

Wow thats freakin awesome man! Can't wait to see finished pics!

spiffy!

Very nice, I am glad you finally made some progress on the project. It is a pretty sweet one. I have always love floor shifters.

Thanks Guys and Ryne what can I say.....LOL......my winter excuse was already used up!

The trickiest part today will be trimming the bottum of the plastic stand to achieve two things. Ensure it sits flush onto the fastening holes on top (to shifter metal top) while keeping a nice smooth fit along the carpet line as there is a portion of the carpet thats stepped at the seat so I will Pull out Mr.Dremel and take my time.

Just waiting for the Sun to come out and melt off the FROST off the Truck. Couple more coffees and I'll be out there. More Pics to follow later today.

Wow! That looks awesome!

damn that is badass. but what are you gonna do with out cupholders? i couldnt live with out mine

Shifter was completed before Lunch and had to go to town with the Mrs, so haven't done the road-test yet and just got Back, so here goes.

The first job was to fit and trim down the Black floor cover as required (Mr.Dremel).



Next was to hook-up the small selector cable for the chrome cover and power to the small bulb that attaches underneath.




Next Fasten in the Black floor cover to the shifter.



Next Fit the Rubber shift boot.



Then Stainless screws to attach the selector face plate and fitted boot to the black cover.




As you can see I got plenty of access to the latch and clearance to open/close the underseat center storage Bin (Laramie feature).



Another view.



Re-assemble 4x4 Floor Cover. Really pleased about a close tight fit between "Covers".



To avoid future gauling of the aluminum handle (as suggested by the Instructions) I used a good dab of silver anti-sieze.



Next I installed the Stainless steel nut all the way down followed by the T-Handle, positioned it where I liked for now and then tightened the nut underneath to keep it from moving around.



Got a left-over diamond floor plate from the old set-up....LMAO..!



So thats it just had the clean-up left to do!

As you can see I can rest my arm comfortably on the armrest if I'm in relaxed mode or keep the arm rest up to avoid shooting our little Doggy into the back...Ha...Ha!



Ok so I will now post the final Pics!

After clean-up all Done! It looks real good and I am Happy with the end result and to think I was going to sell all these parts and not be bothered....what was I thinking then?





And a view from the Backseat...Oh Ya!



And to answer Joes "Coffee" Question, yes I drink alot of Java and do need some cup holders, so I think I can Mod up some diamond plate inserts/holders and attach them to the right of the Black Shifter Cover as the carpet is nice and flush there and I think I can still reach over there or keep the wife busy during trips. I just bought some cool Ram Coffee Mugs from the dealer last week and think they would sit in there Real Nice!

That is freaking sick!!!! Great job!!!

BTW, how do you like your duratracs? thats what Im buying here within the month so I figured I'd get some ram owner insight on them.

iSlacker816 said:

BTW, how do you like your duratracs? thats what Im buying here within the month so I figured I'd get some ram owner insight on them.

Click to expand...

Well, Duratracs saved my ass venturing out in Blizzard conditions more than once and all I can say is Traction on any surface especially Icy Roads, Black Ice or any depth of snow is unbeatable. I had Pro-Comp Xtreme AT's and almost flipped my Truck just from the slight Air of another vehicle passing me as it was enough for them to let go and I was only doing 50 MPH. Treadwear rating is only 42 K miles but for me thats OK cause I only do about 6 to 8 K miles a year anyhow. I was originally running 45 PSI but am now trying 55 Nitrogen all around. So far the ride is pretty smooth.


And Thanks for the Nice Comment, Much appreciated, just want to share the learning experience on this one and show that most modding (aside from Gears) is doable by anyone with a good set of tools, and some common Dog!