Replacing dial shift in a Ram Rebel with the GT or TRX console shifter

[MENACE RAM]

I'm a newbe to Gen 5 Rams. In fact right now I own a 99 Ram 2500 4X4 V10, and I am currently in search of a used V8 Gen 5 Rebel.

I tried searching the forum, but came up empty. Sorry, if I have missed something obvious.

My question is:
Does anyone here know if the dial shifter in a Gen 5 Ram Rebel (with the long console) can be replaced with the console shifter like the GT package has or the TRX shifter.

Any replies or help is very welcome.

Thanks
Dennis

 

[Jimmy07]

I'm a newbe to Gen 5 Rams. In fact right now I own a 99 Ram 2500 4X4 V10, and I am currently in search of a used V8 Gen 5 Rebel.

I tried searching the forum, but came up empty. Sorry, if I have missed something obvious.

My question is:
Does anyone here know if the dial shifter in a Gen 5 Ram Rebel (with the long console) can be replaced with the console shifter like the GT package has or the TRX shifter.

Any replies or help is very welcome.

Thanks
Dennis

Yes, you can swap the TRX shifter in, but it won’t work to manually shift in sport mode. You’ll need to change the shifter type with AlfaOBD.

 

[MENACE RAM]

Yes, you can swap the TRX shifter in, but it won’t work to manually shift in sport mode. You’ll need to change the shifter type with AlfaOBD.

Thank you for the reply!! I don't really care about manually shifting while driving, just want to eliminate the gear selector dial on the dash and have the shifter in the center console.

Thanks again!!
Dennis

 

[oe542bob]

MenaceRam, maybe add the steering wheel with paddle shifters too!

 

[MENACE RAM]

Yes, you can swap the TRX shifter in, but it won’t work to manually shift in sport mode. You’ll need to change the shifter type with AlfaOBD.

Does anyone know if the console shifter in the TRX is the same as the console shifter used in the "GT" package on the Ram's? I'm just looking to eliminate the dial on the dash with a factory Ram console shifter, thats it. Just trying to learn more about this before diving in!

Thanks again!
Dennis

 

[fraleywp]

Yes, you can swap the TRX shifter in, but it won’t work to manually shift in sport mode. You’ll need to change the shifter type with AlfaOBD.

I have a 2023 BH. I swapped the seats and console from a TRX this week. The wiring harness from the truck and the wiring harness on the console do not match up perfectly. The wires for the shifter are not in the body harness but are in the TRX console. The missing wires match what is in the connector at the rotary dial. It seems pretty clear that moving these wires from the rotary to the body harness connection at the console is the only path forward for me. I cannot resolve this with alfaobd since the wiring is not there. It may be there on upper trims where the GT is an optional configuration though.

See attached pics. I think we can unplug the rotary connector and keep the transfer case controls intact. This would mean not having to replace the rotary/transfer case switch. If we can create a harness it would be truly plug and play and easily reversible.

 

[fraleywp]

More confirmation that this is possible by repinning the body to console harness

 

[fraleywp]

I was able to wire the console shifter with a temporary harness. I need to figure out the connector and pins to build a permanent harness. As I thought, I just rerouted the connection from the rotary shifter, wire for wire to the body to console connector. I did not have to connect the black wire from the rotary knob connector though.

It works as expected, manual shifts not yet working. I will be playing with AlfaOBD and see what I can determine.

There is no need to replace the rotary shifter/transfer case controller. The shift portion is just dead now and the transfer case buttons are still fully functional.

 

[JEPomer]

The rotary shift "level" does work well.Back in the days when I was in the field and getting rentals, I had the chance to try out various configurations. Now retired with a new (four month old) 2024 RAM 1500, I find my hand going to the wrong location too frequently. The radio volume, heater fan/temp, and transmission selector are all rotational motions located too closely together.

If the transmission selector was separated more (difficult at this point) or moved differently (linear), the hand memory problems would disappear. But for now, if I see a quick "add a level on the dash", I would purchase it.

 

[GB55]

I was able to wire the console shifter with a temporary harness. I need to figure out the connector and pins to build a permanent harness. As I thought, I just rerouted the connection from the rotary shifter, wire for wire to the body to console connector. I did not have to connect the black wire from the rotary knob connector though.

It works as expected, manual shifts not yet working. I will be playing with AlfaOBD and see what I can determine.

There is no need to replace the rotary shifter/transfer case controller. The shift portion is just dead now and the transfer case buttons are still fully functional.

Were you ever able to build a permanent harness? I'm currently working on building a harness for my swap. I have a spare connector to attach to the shifter, need to find the one to attach to the plug for the dial shifter so i can make a jump cable. and still be reversible since this mine is a Gen 4 and i dont even know if its gonna work in the first place!

 

[Manater973]

Yes, you can swap the TRX shifter in, but it won’t work to manually shift in sport mode. You’ll need to change the shifter type with AlfaOBD.

@Jimmy07 I did the swap that was exciting but now what are the setting I need to change with alfaobd in order to do manual shifting and paddle shifting