OutdoorPodcast

My gear shifter is broken. The O/D wont engage and the handle is broken and wrapped in duct tape. Has anyone swapped their gear shifters?? I've done searches on google and on this site and there doesn't seem to be much written about it.

2000 F150 4x4 5.4

BrittonN

My O/D button is also broken off. Completely. I have a replacement coming from eBay and I can do a write up when I get it installed. I recently had the airbag off, steering wheel off and all the plastics around the column in order to replace a clockspring. You are able to get at the column shifter the easiest by going this route.

OutdoorPodcast

Yikes, not sure I have the huevos to take my steering wheel off. If I did do that, though I would be tempted to buy a replacement steering wheel to get rid of my tore up one.

BrittonN

Normal socket set, a T50 torx bit, some small torx screwdrivers and a 2 jaw puller is all you should really need.

OutdoorPodcast

what about the airbag issue and having it deploy when messing with it? You've got me tempted to give this a try. My wife is going to kill you for giving me these ideas, because I would love to replace my steering wheel as well. I'll have a totally new truck with fixed odometer, new steering wheel, gear shifter, and door actuators.

rcruz3568

When I did mine in my old truck I just lowered the steering column and replaced the whole gear shift. It's really easy and it prolly took me a total of 30 minutes to an hour max. I just happened to have a steering column out a parts truck I once had

BrittonN

HAHAHA I had the same worry when replacing my clockspring! From what I've read, disconnect your (-) negative battery cable and let the back up power for the airbag drain for about 10 mins, worked for me.