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Home > User Content > DIY / Install Guides > DIY: Doctor I Short Throw Shifter

DIY: Doctor I Short Throw Shifter

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N8thegreat22

Reg'd: Sep 10, 2007

Tech Advisor

Doctor Isotope Short Throw Shifter Install

**First of all I am not responsible for anything that happens to your car during the install yada yada yada and if you aren’t comfortable tearing your car apart don’t do it!!**

In this DIY I will show you how to completely remove the shift cage, replace the old shift shaft with the new one, and put everything back together. You technically could do all of this with the cage still in the car but I think it is much easier this way!

**And yes my car is very dirty because there is 24 inches of snow out there and I can’t clean it out!! Sorry!!**

What you will need:
•Screwdrivers-Flathead, and Phillips
•Socket Set
•Hammer
•Dremel (if you can get a hold of one it makes it a bit easier)
•Grease
•Vise
•Multipurpose Knife/Scissors
•Washer (included in shifter package)
•New cage hardware (also included in shifter package)



This is something like what your stock assembly should look like before you start the install!


Start by twisting off your shift knob and put it in a safe place.

The first piece you will remove from the car is the piece with the cigarette lighter and shift boot on it.

It should pop apart just like legos and pull out of its place like this.

Now before it can be totally removed you have to unplug these wires from the cigarette lighter.

Now put this piece in a safe place because you may need it later!

This is what it should look like now that the piece is gone.

Now we have to remove the cup holders. These should also pop right out with a little bit of force and wiggling.

Here’s what you collection should look like at this point.

Now this is what the console should look like with the two pieces missing.

Now you need to undo this little clip that runs wires from the cigarette lighter. It may look easy but I struggled with this clip a little bit, so good luck!

Here’s what it looks like after it comes unclipped.

This group of wiring is next to the e-brake and the plug needs undone to get the console out.

Here is the wire when it is out.

Now this group or wires is tucked up under the center console box, they run to the i-pod jack, AUX plug. They both need to be unplugged.

Now open the center console box and lift out this little piece of fabric. It should pop right out with no fuss at all. This will reveal the two bolts holding on the center console.

Now this part is a little tricky. You will need a socket set with multiple extenders so you can reach the bolts and turn the ratchet at the same time. I forget the exact size of the bolts but just try a couple different sizes until you find one that will work.

Here it is with the two bolts removed. Make sure you don’t misplace the bolts you will need them later.

Next you will need to use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove both of these screws.

Make sure when there out you put them in a safe place!

Ok now once both the screws are out you can simply slide out the center console giving you complete and total access to the shift cage! This is what it should look like at this point in time. Now let the fun begin!

Now on the side of the shift cage you should see this clip holding the shift cable to the shift cage. Remove this clip and slide the cable off.

Now if you take a look under the shift cage directly in the center you will see something like this. This is a little tough, but you have to pull this clip off and then the other cable should simply unhook.

This is what it should look like after the cable is unhooked from the knob.

Now you should see these two contraptions up under the head unit. You need to remove these two white clips that should pop right off.

Here’s what it looks like after then are taken off. Again make sure you keep track of them for later.

Now after these clips are off you will need to get the wires undone. To do this you will need to grab the black “collar” that the clips came off of and turn it counter clockwise about 180 degrees. After that you should be able to use a little force to lift them up and out of the cage. This is a little hard but use patience and it should work out ok. This picture shows them when they are undone.

Now it is time to start removing the shift cage. Before this you may need to cut a couple of zip ties with a knife or scissors that hold wire bundles to the cage. After this just take a 12mm ratchet and undo the four bolts that hold the shift cage down as shown.

After they are all out the shift cage will pop right out leaving you with something that looks like this!

So here is the stock shift cage after it is taken out of the car. Now it is time to start replacing the actual shifter!
[IMG]http://i239.photobucket.c...20Pictures/Shifter058.jpg [/IMG]
In this picture you can see two black metal clips that hold the top of the shift cage down. For these you need to take a screwdriver (preferably flathead) and run it under the clip. Once you are under it just use some force to bend them back and they should stay out of the way.

Once the clips are bent back and out of the way you will need to remove this stock washer so you can open the cage to get the shifting “shaft” out. This can be a little tricky, but if you have a dremel it shouldn’t be too hard. I didn’t use a cutting head but it would help if you had access to one, but a grinding/sanding head worked fine for me. If you don’t have a dremel you could try to use screwdrivers to get under it and lift it out.

Here’s the way I got it off. I takes some patience and make sure you don’t chew up the plastic.

Here is the washer after it is removed.

Now using a hammer tap this metal piece and it will start sliding through.

Once you tap it completely through this piece will drop out. Make sure you don’t play with the spring setup because it is important it stays like this so you can install it correctly later.

Ok now you are going to need to pop off the top, circular piece to get to the shaft. To do this just take two flat head screwdrivers or chisels and slide them under, slowly pushing them down, pushing the top up and off.

It should be pretty easy to pop off, and should look something like this when it is. You will now be able to lift the shaft out of the cage completely.

Now take the stock one and lay it next to the new one so you can celebrate over your great new short shifter.

Now you will see that there is a little white cap on the end of the shaft. This cap must come off with as little damage as possible, but there is no easy way to do this. I did it by taking a vice and securing a 13 mm open end wrench into it. Then if you place the caped end in and use a screwdriver (Phillips head) and hammer to knock the cap off. Now it definitely isn’t easy so use patience and make sure you don’t tear the cap up.

Here’s the cap once it is off of the stock shifter.

Ok now here’s where you are going to want a little grease. Take the new short shifter and dip the small ball at the end into the grease working it in a little bit with your fingers. Then pop that little cap back on over the grease making sure it pivots loosely on the end.

Now it’s time to get a bit dirty! Take your fingers and dip them in a little bit of the grease. Now rub the center piece so it gets nice and greasy as in the picture.

Now slide the new shifter into the cage like the stock one used to be.

Now once it’s in place use a hammer to tap back down the circular top piece so that all the holes align and the metal rod can easily slide back in place.

Now I forgot to take a couple pictures here but it isn’t too hard. Once the holes are aligned slide the metal rod back through the holes so that the spring setup is back to the way it was when it was on stock. Use a hammer to make sure the rod is all the way through and that it is tight. After this you will need to take the washer that comes with the new shifter and slide it back on the end of the metal rod where you took the old one off. This can also be a bit tricky and there is no easy ways to do it just make sure it gets on tight. Then you can bend the metal clips back up over the top and hammer them back into place.

Here is what the shift cage should look like with the new, shorter shaft installed.

Now we are almost ready to put the shifter back into the car but first we have to install the new cage bushings. First start by removing these old rubber pieces, you don’t need them but I would save them somewhere safe just in case!

Here’s what the new ones look like. All you have to do is simply pop them into the old holes, and run the screw through the center.

Here is one installed.

Here’s what it looks like with all four installed. Now the cage is ready to go back into the car!

Now take the shift cage back to the car and place it back in so that the screws align with the holes you will screw them into. Then you will have to replace the two cables by again turn the collar 180 degrees and pushing them back into place.

Snap both of the white clips back in place.

Slide the cable back on and secure it with the clip so it will stay in place.

Now this part isn’t easy! You will need to put the other cable on, and slide the other clip on. You have to be careful because under the cage there are a couple holes that it could fall in. I would suggest put a little piece of tape over each hole so you don’t lose your clip!

Now you can start bolting the cage back into the console. Make sure it is nice and snug so it won’t work loose.

Now you can start putting everything back together! First slide the “main” center console back in realigning it with the bolt and screw holes.

Make sure you plug all of the plugs back into their original place including this one, and all of the ones tucked up under the center console box.

You can now snap the cup holders back into their original place.

Plug the main cigarette lighter back into its place.

And finally step back and take a nice long look at your beautiful new short shifter! Then hop in your car and take it for a test drive!

I defiantly would recommend this mod to anyone! It isn’t too hard of an install if you take your time and have the right tools!
Enjoy and Drive Safely!
[#] Mar 10, 2008 09:22pm
N8thegreat22

Reg'd: Sep 10, 2007

Tech Advisor

Ok well after 3 days of getting this around I finally finished my Short Shifter install! I tried to make it as detailed as possible and I hope it helps anyone who is going to install a new shifter. If anyone has any other questions that aren't clearly answered in the DIY feel free to post it here or PM me.

[#] Mar 10, 2008 10:33pm
danyo

Reg'd: Mar 05, 2008

Detailer

good job on the DIY, very detailed. I have a question since i was too lazy to read the entire thing.. did u have to take out the cage?? when i installed my twm short shifter, i left the cage in and had no problems.

[#] Mar 10, 2008 10:57pm
Mayo

Reg'd: Feb 14, 2007

The Guru

Awesome DIY! Props!


"gonna wash my car before i take a nap.. can't rest well knowing i've got the entire cast of A Bug's Life on my bumper" - Vicious
-- Want to post a "For Sale" thread? Check out the rules first.
[#] Mar 10, 2008 11:22pm
N8thegreat22

Reg'd: Sep 10, 2007

Tech Advisor

danyo wrote:
good job on the DIY, very detailed. I have a question since i was too lazy to read the entire thing.. did u have to take out the cage?? when i installed my twm short shifter, i left the cage in and had no problems.


Yes, I did take the entire cage out to install the shifter. It wasn't needed but I think it is a little easier to work with it when it is on a workbench rather then still bolted in the car. It doesn't take much more time or effort where you only have to unbolt 4 extra bolts and unclip the cables. Plus I talked to Doc before the install and he said it was a good idea to take the whole thing out. And I believe a man who can install a whole short shift kit like I did in 10 minutes!

[#] Mar 10, 2008 11:24pm
danyo

Reg'd: Mar 05, 2008

Detailer

haha cools, probably true. it did only take me about 20 mins for my first time. easy install as long as u have some direction, thank god for the internet and car forums.

[#] Mar 11, 2008 12:14am
FrAnkRYzzO

Reg'd: Oct 21, 2005

$upervillain
for Hire

Great DIY. Mad props!

...............

Donate or one of these adorable kittens WILL DIE!
[#] Mar 11, 2008 08:06am
Orin

Reg'd: Dec 08, 2005


excellent DIY, the pictures are very helpful

sticky

[#] Mar 11, 2008 11:19am
N8thegreat22

Reg'd: Sep 10, 2007

Tech Advisor

danyo wrote:
haha cools, probably true. it did only take me about 20 mins for my first time. easy install as long as u have some direction, thank god for the internet and car forums.


Ya I know what you mean lol. But this mod is a nice and quick install! So far I think it is the nicest, and easiest mod I have done. Especially for the price! And thanks for Sticking it Orin! I hope it helps!

[#] Mar 11, 2008 03:38pm
Graygod

Reg'd: May 08, 2008

Detailer

Man, i Just finished installing my Megan SS and there's no way I couldve done it without this DIY. Thanks!

[#] May 25, 2008 03:28pm
dankh

Reg'd: Jun 03, 2008

Window Washer

Did you swap out your shift boot too?
[#] Jun 03, 2008 06:28pm

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