i have a 2006 f-150 stx 4wd s-cab with the column shifter. i want to know if it is possible to make it console shifting. i like the way the lariat and the fx4 are and like the look alot more than the jumper seat.

 

anything is possible with deep pockets

 

Take along your tool box and go visit your local boneyard. Find the "donor" truck and have at it. At a memory glance, you're going to need the console assembly, shifter assemble (including shift cable), the steering column (your column will need to be removed with its column shift), and some good measurements for cutting/drilling the hole in the transmission tunnel for the floor shifter to mount and have its cable run through. I'm guessing the gauge cluster is alright, as it's gear indicator is still operated via the floor shift setup??

A whole lot easier if the donor vehicle is right there next to your truck when doing this swap, as there is no doubt you'll have forgotten something during the conversion, and will need yet another part!

I agree with you that the floor shift setup is a nice look. I too have the column shift setup, and would like to have the counsole shift setup; I just have too many other things on my wish list for now though.

 

I would forget about that idea unless u have the money to waste on it. What would be the logical reason? If its just for the looks I dont think it would be worth the money u would have to drop.

 

I have a 2007 FX4 with the factory floor shifter in it and I hate it. I had been trying to sell the truck for the whole last year because I think its a terrible set up. I finally gave up trying to sell it or trade it. I miss the column shifting on my previous Ford trucks. I live on the Big Island of Hawaii and there is not any salvage trucks like mine here. I would love to trade the dash and shifter parts with somebody. I would love to get the jump seat too for that matter. I took the floor console out this week and part of the dash off already to study the parts I will need. I was ready to go down to the dealership in the morning and order all the parts I can.
Of course I would love to just trade the stuff with somebody the has a column shift.
Happy to send pictures. There is not a hole in the floor for the shifter, it works only to control a cable the runs from the bottom of the dash area. I have been driving my truck for a week with the floor shifter/lever assembly zip tied to the bottom of my dash. My steering column is already drilled at the factory for the column shifter. The gear indicator part on the cluster looks like it just replaces a lighted plaque on my cluster that says "FX4".

Any, Im just excited to find a recent post about this considering I was about to go spend $$$$$$$ after searching the internet extensively for parts.

The interior of my truck has "light" grey cloth seats and the ebony dash inserts. From what I have seen all the FX4 small parts are colored the same.
I'd be happy to even get the basic black XL parts.

 

Too bad your offer comes from the island (boy do I want to get over there...). I'd swap with you just to do the change, as I have the column shift arrangement. I don't mind the center console option, and I have the light grey cloth interior with center jumpseat in my 2005 STX. Problem I see though is the shipping costs between the mainland and the "Big Island of Hawaii". I could get past the down time waiting for the parts, but the shipping costs would perhaps kill the deal. Most of us have the convienence of going to a local junkyard and getting all that's needed locally. But to help out a fellow truck owner, I'd do it just for the fun of the swap. Just the shipping cost that would stop me.

Thanks for the information on the shifting cable. Good to know that a hole is not needed in the floor. Makes sense that Ford mearly used a longer cable from the floor shifter to engauge the gear selection.

You never mentioned why you hate the console setup. Is it because you'd prefer the center jumpseat?

 

I went down to the dealership today and ordered the new steering column assembly. Im getting the parts group for a column shift set up. For $433 its supposed to include mid section of the steering column with the complete gear shift assembly and wire harness. This is a fair deal for me here because I dont have to pay any shipping. The total price including tax is $433 to me for the new Ford part(s). I looked at salvage steering columns on ebay and other places for as little as $70 but I would still have to pay $150 to ship the whole thing. Since this is the most crucial part, I figured what the hell, people think Im nuts when I try to explain it anyway. Why not get the modification started with a new shifter.
So, once I get the column shift put on and working I will start to change the dash parts. The dash is very expensive from Ford though. I will be getting a used dash from the mainland. Its the one piece grey colored part that spans the whole width of the truck thats the problem. I can get a salvage one or trade somebody all the parts. I will be able to send all the parts to let somebody make the swap to a floor shifter all at once. I will be driving my truck in the meantime one way or another.
The last steps will be to get a jump seat if possible and since my floor carpet is specific to the floor shift I will be replacing it. For the floor covering Im going to try to get the XL vinyl floor. The Ford parts guy says it costs over $400 from Ford. A good full set of Catch All Extreme one piece rubber mats costs about $175. I had the Extreme Catch All in the last two Ford trucks I had and they are good-the only mats I would ever buy. The company LMC, http://www.lmctruck.com/ is great for parts but only has rubber floor mats for the F150 up to year 2003. Maybe in the next couple years they will make them for the 2004-08.
My girlfriend will be away for two weeks this month and I will be using her car while I take apart the steering column and put it back together. It will be sort of fun to do. Nothing beats taking apart a nearly new truck.

The gear indicator is a separate part that will (hopefully) just attach to its home at the gauge cluster. It costs about $14. The new plastic shroud for the column is about $18. Didnt order them yet, but will right before I take apart the column. Its supposed to take 5 days for parts to get from Cali to Hawaii.

One of the reasons I cant stand the floor shifter is that the overdrive button is not on the shifter. Its very hilly where I live. It sucks having to press to different buttons to from 4-3-2 gear as needed.
My biggest reason for the change is the wasted space of the floor shifter. Im might not even try putting in a jump seat.

If anybody wants pictures of this process I can take them. Especially if a parts swap is possible. Im not going to take pictures for myself though. I will only do it if somebody feels they need them.

Because its so hard for me to get salvage parts here, I think I would be willing to pay for the shipping to send somebody all these parts Im taking off, if they would pay to send me the plastic dash parts from their truck when they are done. I guess at this point, I would consider buying a jump seat from somebody too. Its sort of my last priority though.

I think the shift cable might be the same. Ford says its two part numbers different by one letter. We will see. Im not ordering one until the column shift is on.

let me know what you think

 

This outfit http://www.roadworksauto.com/truckvan.htm has the current vinyl floors for F150s for a good price.

 

I'd be interested in the process. I sent you a private message as well..

 

I would deffinitely like to see pictures of this. Good Luck.