M/C install with 5-speed DONE !

[BigDakota]

Well, I finally finished the customized install. Many of you know that a Message Center and console from an automatic does fit into a 5-speed manual floor shift area. I have proved the Ford Design Team wrong on this one with a little bit of ceativity and not much materials.I have posted some step by steps on what I did to make it work. Take a look:

 

[BigDakota]

Here is a test fit and with the welded extension painted to look a little better . You can see when it is assembled how well it looks. I used a shift boot from a 87 ford ranger to cover the hole and used some RV fold out cup holders to replace what I cut out!!

 

[BigDakota]

Heres a couple more pics with the cup holders open and a side view of the finished project! Just think..A working 5-speed tranmission with a factory M/C. The shifter moves nice and shifts great!

 

[DirtyDog]

Looks good Good idea

 

[RickOTR]

Looks good. Woud like to put a manual behind the SOHC in my X someday, and get rid of the automatic.

 

[hit_that]

That's awesome

 

[BigDakota]

Thanks ...I still have some wire harness issues....I need the lamp out setup..but with some of the guys help here..thats a minor problem....
Getting it all to look like I wanted it to was a good challenge!!

 

[bmxking5]

That turned out really good. Looks factory IMO. Nice job Dakota.

 

[Hokie]

Thanks ...I still have some wire harness issues....I need the lamp out setup..but with some of the guys help here..thats a minor problem....
Getting it all to look like I wanted it to was a good challenge!!

Nice

what does the unit display for gallons remaining/gallons used? I'm curious since the Sport only has a 17 gal tank

 

[fuzz8269]

Man that looks factory. Great job on that.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

That does look good. I really do like it. Good job.

-Drew

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

Looks good - very creative!

I'm curious how the offset affects shifting, in both throw distance and precison.

Also, let us know how the M/C works with the sport's smaller fuel tank.

 

[LiKuiD]

Looks great!! Good job!

 

[BigDakota]

Thanks guys
The throw and precision is really close to factory tolerance...hard to believe..but the way I have the extension positioned,bent and welded, it maintains a close parallel to the original shifter! The shifter is in the nuetral position in the pics!!! With the shorter shift handle the throw is a lot shorter!

The mileage readings are kinda sporatic right now....I ahve a couple things to deal with..one..my fuel guage was acting up before I installed the M/C. I would add fuel at 1/4 of a tank and it would take quite a while to register any fuel that was added.
It could be the floats or sending unit! Second....The wiring hookup is quite recent and I am thinking its taking some time for the system to figure it out.
The 17.5 gal tank issue has me wondering also on the readings. I would not think it would make a difference unless Ford flashed whatever chips they have in the M/C's with vehicle model issued gal/liters. I will be tinkering on it this week!!!

 

[briwayjones]

Wow that looks great. Where'd you get the fold out RV cup holders?

 

[BigDakota]

Hey Briway
I picked up the cup holders at a local RV place. You know.. where they sell campers and stuff. I payed around $6.00 apiece for them!!!

 

[Jason94sport]

Looks great! It looks really low though. Is it?

 

[briwayjones]

Do you have a pic with it in gear? With the extension on there it looks like to me that the shifter would go at a weird angle when you shift up and have a far throw going up?

 

[BigDakota]

It looks low with that side shot and the big honkin' center console next to it. It is only 3 or 4 inches shorter, but still an easy reach to shift. Actually its easier to reach with it being set back closer to the console. The new upright shifter is threaded on top and I welded a couple of nuts on the inside of what was left of the stock shifter housing to enable some lowering and raising of the shifter nob. The pics show it in the lowest position..I could probably adjust it up another 3" if needed!!
Come on by and give it a test drive

 

[BigDakota]

Do you have a pic with it in gear? With the extension on there it looks like to me that the shifter would go at a weird angle when you shift up and have a far throw going up?

It is going to follow the same shift patterns as if the normal straight stick shift was in there. I actually thought of adjusting its angle back some , but the trade off would be the nob closer to the console.As it sits now, in reverse ,2nd and 4th, the vertical extension rod sits about 1/4 inch off the carpet. I believe I got the best of both worlds on the shift swing. I will get a pic up for ya in a little while...