2nd Gen 6 Speed Shifter Upgrade and Replace Tutorial (URD Short Throw)

Hi all, I've been toying with upgrading my shifter on my '06 AC 4x4 for a while, and finally got around to doing it. Couldn't find any good tutorials on it, so I threw one together. Hope this can help some of you dealing with a sloppy shifter feel or those that just want a crisp (and I mean crisp), short throw.

https://youtu.be/PhbiztnXI-8

 

I’m an Auto. But I will say “Thanks” for the video, man.
I do appreciate the time you took to show us how it’s done.

 

Really nice. I am getting ready to do the seat and bushing. Your video is the best I’ve seen so far for this.

 

Nice video Sproket! I may need to do this to mine in a few years but it's nice and tight for now.
That left thumb looks like it hurt when you smashed it!

 

Nice video.
Did you ever get the actual shifter fixed? It looked like in your video that it was the shifter and not the bushing that is the problem.

 

I did the seat, bushing, and epoxied the inside of the shifter shaft also. Feels nice and tight, makes lots of snick and clunk noises still. I installed MLV over the trans tunnel under the console. I think it made things quieter, but something in the new setup amplifies the frequency that 4th gear has. Is driving me crazy, makes more noise than ever. 1st, 2nd, 3rd have less vibration, shift cleaner. Weird.

Your video was a great visual reference when I did this. Thanks!

 

Nice video, good job!

I have run this short throw kit for 145,000 miles now. I recently removed the shifter to do some mods to it and found that the extension was loose. The set screw had not backed out. It was still right where I staked it. Under normal use, the shifter extension will eventually loosen due to wear. I heated the set screw and removed it, then got a new set screw and re-tightened everything. My suggestion is to pull the shifter and check it every 75-100 thousand miles. You will need a new shifter tip and seat by then anyway!

 

why not the Hurst Core shifter? I hear that one is the best

 

It is much better, but also more expensive. It was not an option when I did mine. The URD kit works fine and is a big improvement for little money.

 

I wish I could report that all my sloppy problems were fixed... But I believe that the main problem was needing to epoxy the rubber isolater from the get go. It should be a quick and easy fix, but I have to be honest, It shifts like hell right now haha.

 

Epoxying the shifter is my next move, as this did not fix the entire problem. Made it better, but the rubber isolater has been degrading at a rapid pace since I did the job.

 

When I epoxied mine I pressed the shaft down onto itself. It shortened the overall length by probably and inch. It also tilted the shift knob back toward the console because shortening changed the angle.

I have more vibration than before especially in 4th. Seems to be getting better as bushing wears in- hard to tell though, maybe I am imagining. Another possibility is that the epoxy has transmitted more vibration.

epoxying the shifter was really quick and easy though. Took 20min for epoxy and another 10 to put back together.

 

I was hoping to find a video exactly like this, I’ll b pulling mine out soon and didn’t want to break anything because I didn’t know I should have removed a fastener first. Appreciation.

 

Here’s what I needed.
Something to pull that carpet out of the arm rest box
1/4 drive sockets 10mm & 8mm
Spinner handle or ratchet & extension
I didn’t pull my shifter off but I think it’s 10 or 12mm, it might need 3/8 drive if it’s too tight.

The front plastic fasteners, you push the center dimple in, it clicks, then it will pull out. To get it back in, I pulled the dimple out so it’s still in it but sticking out, put it in place, then push the dimple down flush.

I only needed to confirm what is in there, a shifter handle in dire need of epoxy repair.

 

I'm about to replace the seat,bushing, and install the URD short shifter kit tomorrow.
Thanks for the Vid as a walk through before I dig in.

 

I pulled the shifter back out yesterday, due to a large amount of slop still present. Epoxied the two pieces back together as the rubber isolater had clearly deteriorated. (not sure how I did not notice it before) I used some epoxy made for cementing bolts into concrete made by Simpson Strong Tie from home depot. I also installed a new white bushing on the shifter ball end. Put it back together and it's as if it was brand new! Super happy with how everything came out.

 

I had no idea epoxy was a fix for the bushing. Back when I had my 06' MT, I bought the URD SS kit and one day the shifter broke in two. Later, I bought the B&M short shifter and that thing was awesome. Seems like they don't make that anymore though.

 

I'm a manual guy from way back when and I kinda always thought these things were a waste of time but after seeing how bad yours was in first gear... man o man, I would find that totally unacceptable... if I ever find that I need to do mine I'll look up this vid for sure... thanks!