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Decided to post a write up in case anyone else is interested in doing this. If not that’s ok too. Ever since I got my truck I never cared for the shifter in the center console, so after a while I decided to convert it to a column shift. After some minor investigating, I concluded it would be easier to swap out the steering column than trying to use the column in the truck. The truck is a 2013 f150 lariat.
Parts needed:
Steering column from column shift truck (with shifter obviously)
Shifter cable for column shift truck
Adapter harness (homemade)
Steering column shrouds from column shift truck
Trim panel above steering column (gauge cluster bezel/surround)
Trim panel/kick panel below steering column
First step was the wire harness for the column shifter. The center console shifter has 1 large connector with 10 wires. The column shifter uses 9 of those wires split between 2 smaller connectors. The tenth wire the console shifter has is for illumination and is not needed for the column shifter. I found the connector pinouts online for both shifter types, cut the connector off of another console shifter I bought, and made a harness that ran from the column shifter connectors and plugged into where the console shifter did. That way I didn’t have to cut any of the truck’s wiring.
Now onto swapping the columns. I couldn’t find anything online about removing the steering column in these trucks but it’s actually fairly simple. First step was to unhook the battery. Then after removing the steering wheel and shrouds around the steering column, I started pulling everything off the old column to move to the new column (ignition cylinder, multifunction switch, clock spring, etc.) Everything either snaps or bolts onto the column and is pretty easy to remove. Once all that was done, with the kick panel and metal plate below the steering column removed, I removed the two bolts that bolt the column to the dash so I could pull it out. At this point the steering column is ready to pull out, only being held to the truck by the splines of the steering shaft. On mine I was able to pull the column 95% of the way out and then it stopped like it was caught on something. Took pulling just about as hard as I could to completely separate them that last 5%. Installing the new column was about the same - once I got the splines lined up and slid together the first extremely-difficult ~5%, they slid together great. With the new column installed, it was pretty much the reverse of everything I just did, putting everything back on the new column.
Now for the fun part The steering column shrouds on column shift trucks are wider than on console shift trucks, to accommodate the shifter (obviously). This means the trim pieces that surround those are also different. The column shrouds as well as the gauge cluster bezel and lower dash kick panel can be sourced from column shift trucks. However, the piece to the right of the steering column with the climate sensor behind it is completely different on trucks with the flow-through center console, so trimming of that piece was required. I also had to notch a small spot in it for the gauge cluster surround to sit in. These are a couple of the more permanent changes I had to make to the truck. Another one was to the plastic behind the gauge cluster bezel. The bottom right clip on the new bezel was different from the old one which prevented it from sitting flush, so I had to cut out the part on the truck to prevent it from hitting. Also I had to grind back a small spot on the metal plate below the steering column so it wouldn’t rub the lower steering column shroud. After all that was done, the trim pieces fit in place and actually kinda looked like they belonged.
Last thing was to remove the console shifter and cable and install the new shifter cable and harness. The shifter is held in by four bolts and and the shifter cable just pops off the shifter, the transmission side was pretty simple as well. Unplugged the shifter and plugged in the new shifter harness, which worked thankfully. I did lose the telescoping steering column that my truck had before, but that wasn’t a huge deal. I’m really happy with how it turned out, wish Ford would have built them this way!
That's all there is to it? but, seriously, I appreciate the amount of work you did. Me? I'd have to buy a new truck if I wanted to switch shifters. Good job!
That's all there is to it? but, seriously, I appreciate the amount of work you did. Me? I'd have to buy a new truck if I wanted to switch shifters. Good job!
thanks! most of it was pretty simple, although it did end up being a little more work than I originally anticipated, especially getting all the trim pieces to fit
Great work and write up. What's the plan for the new-found open space in the center console? Godo place for a holster...
thank you. I glued a small cubby in where the shifter was, you can see it in the last photo. I usually put my phone or wallet or other misc stuff there, it’s super handy
F150 Shifter Conversion
The steering column shrouds on column shift trucks are wider than on console shift trucks, to accommodate the shifter (obviously). This means the trim pieces that surround those are also different. The column shrouds as well as the gauge cluster bezel and lower dash kick panel can be sourced from column shift trucks. However, the piece to the right of the steering column with the climate sensor behind it is completely different on trucks with the flow-through center console, so trimming of that piece was required. I also had to notch a small spot in it for the gauge cluster surround to sit in. These are a couple of the more permanent changes I had to make to the truck. Another one was to the plastic behind the gauge cluster bezel. The bottom right clip on the new bezel was different from the old one which prevented it from sitting flush, so I had to cut out the part on the truck to prevent it from hitting. Also I had to grind back a small spot on the metal plate below the steering column so it wouldn’t rub the lower steering column shroud. After all that was done, the trim pieces fit in place and actually kinda looked like they belonged.
