How To: 1st gen column to center shifter conversion

This is my how-to on doing a column to center shift conversion in your 1st gen GM truck. I'm sure as time goes on that people will make suggestions or improvements to my initial design. This how-to is for informational purposes only. What that means is that if YOU fuck up, it's not MY fault! The following is what worked for me. It should work for you... All it takes is a little patience. Measure twice, drill once.

There are some prerequisites before you attempt this. So you will either have to convert some things previous to doing this, or not do it, or figure something else out.

Prerequisites:

#1 You must have bucket seats. This console won't fit between your bench seat or 60/40 split bench

#2 You must have either 2wd or electronic 4x4. If you have manual 4x4 then the 4x4 shifter will be in the way

#3 Patience. If you try to rush this, you WILL screw it up.

(Note: If you have a second gen, the procedures are much the same except you already have the correct linkage and you will only need the new shifter cable)

Parts needed:

Detent Rod: GM Part # 24210711

Shifter Cable for an Automatic w/ center shift. 95-0urrent GM Part # 15713353

Cable bracket (Mounts to the last 2 bolts on drivers side tranny pan) years 95-current

shifter linkage plate (attaches to dentent rod) years 95-current

Center console with shifter

Column Bowl from manual steering column (make sure if you have tilt or not and get appropriate bowl)

6 Quarts transmission fluid

1 transmission filter (optional, but reccommended)

Transmission pan gasket

Tools needed:

Torque wrench

15mm open mouth

13mm open mouth

15mm socket wrench

13mm socket

10mm socket wrench

Needle nose pliers

Silicone caulke

scizzors/utility knife

3/8th inch drill bit

2 2-1/2 inch x 3/8 x 15mm bolts

2 3/8th flat washers

2 3/8th lock washers

2 3/8th matching nuts

2 3/8 neoprine washers

We'll start with the hard part 1st. The linkage

Step 1. Apply emergency brake! Drop transmission pan. (This is a good time to do to a fluid change/filter change)

You have to do this in order to remove the old dentent rod. <---detent rod

Disconnect your old linkage using a 15mm open mouth wrench. Save the nut you removed fron the existing detent rod, you will need it later.

Now that you have all the old crap out of the way and you're looking up into your valve body assembly. On the drivers side, you will see what looks like a rooster's tail. There are 2 bars attached to it. The detent rod is bolted on to this. There is a nut on 1 side, and a long clip on the other.

Remove the nut first with a 15mm open mouth wrench. Then using your fingers and firm pressure, remove the clip on the other side of the rooster tail. Once that is removed, using a screwdriver (be careful!) push the detent rod out of the transmission. Let the rooster tail hang. Insert the new longer detent rod. Rotate it till it slips into the rooster. Reattach nut. Tighten firmly.

Reinstall filter/gasket/pan tightening bolts to 8ft pounds in a crosswise fasion. Add fluid back into tranny. (Do not start till everything else is done)

Step 2. Remove the trim holding down your carpet on the driver side. Remove kick panel. Pull back carpet as far as it will go. You will see an oval grommet. Using a hammer and screwdriver, pop this grommet from the underside of the car. This is where your cable will run through. Run the shifter cable through the floor pan and mount the grommet in the hole. Lock the tabs in place and seal with silicone. (Follow drying instructions for the silicone you have). Route the top end of the shifter cable towards the pedals and underneath the dash. Cut a small slit in the front center of your hump about 10 inches from the heater vent directly in the middle and route the end of the cable through.

Step 3. This is where you will have to figure out your own truck. Pre mount your shifter and console so that you can figure out where to drill. Once you have that figured out, drill directly through the plate/carpet/hump. Using 2 2-1/2 x 28 x 15mm bolts, push them through. This will lock the plate into place. (You can optionally use 4 bolts if you want more support)

Next, mount your shifter on the base plate. (Note, base plate IS NOT required, you can just use a stack of washers for leveling)

Again, test fit your console and add or remove washers as necessary.

Next pull cable through and attach cable end to shifter.

Add U clip to lock cable into frame of shifter

Once you're sure of your fit, tighten everything down. (Don't forget the 2 center bolts in the hump. Get underneath the car. The neoprine washers go on first for sealing, then a flat washer, then lock washer then nut)

Put the console on and tripple check your fit!

Screw console down with 2 cup screws using 10mm socketDon't worry, the rubber liner hides these.

Next put the shift handle and boot on the console and insert U clip into hole on the handle.

Your finished interior should look like this: (Minus the Marlboro lights of course)

Now. Back underneath the car. Attach the new shifter plate to the detent rod. Nub side towards the tranny. Route cable around frame and over diff shaft through the bracket and let hang. Attach U clip to cable adjuster on bracket so that it doesn't pull out.

Is your parking brake on? Move transmission into neutral (2 notches from front) Move shifter in car into neutral. Pull TV adjuster clip out. Attach cable to linkage plate. push TV adjuster cable back into place.

Now.. Start your truck. While leaving the parking brake on, move your shifter slowly through each gear twice. Turn off car, turn on car. Check transmission fluid level. Add additional fluid as necessary. You're done! (Almost)

Removal of column shifter. Using a small screw driver and hammer, lightly tap the pin holding the shifter out of the column. Remove shifter arm.

Now. You have the option of leaving the old shifter bowl in or replacing it with one from a manual steering column. .

I won't go into changing this now as that is a whole different how to.

Removal of old shift indicator. Simply remove your dash cluster. Using a 5mm socket, remove the gear shift indicator (don't forget about the little wire attached to your column) and black out the plastic inside the cluster.

Enjoy!