Before I try, has anyone managed to remove/install a short throw shifter without removing the console? Looks like it could be possible from what I am seeing with some shallow wrenches, but not sure about clearances with the boot cutout in the console. Thanks!

 

Perhaps it is possible but I would HIGHLY recommend removing the console. LOTS of videos on YT with step-by-step instructions on the procedure.

Having the console out of the way will give you the room you need to do it properly. IMO, shifter installation is definitely NOT the place to cut corners.

Good luck and enjoy that sweet new ride!

 

The console is pretty easy to remove and replace. Maybe ten minutes. There’s about 5 screws and 4 plugs to pull apart. Watch a couple videos and you’ll knock it right out.

 

No.

Pulling the console is a 5-10 minute job. If you can't handle that you won't be able to handle installing the short shifter.

I put in a Hurst years ago and it is not possible if you intend to keep the big rubber gasket in place over the shifter box/shifter.
Unless you like noise, dirt, water and cold you need the rubber gasket. You turn it over from it's normal position to cover shifters like the Hurst. They stand up a bit more than stock. Don't know about yours.

You'll need to correctly line up neutral using the pin which you can't get to with the console in place. It's in front of the shifter.
You should inspect the shifter box rubbers to see if they need replacement or at least tightening.
Same with the shifter shaft coming out of the box to the transmission. There is a clamp that needs to be checked for tight.

The only difficulty with removing the console is taking off the cover for the interior temp sensor. The covers are a snap fit and it has been almost 20 years. They are available if you break it. Don't break the sensor inside. They are not available new.
The first time you remove the console it will take 45 minutes to an hour with a lot of walking around getting the right torx bit or phillips screwdriver. Now I can take out the console in about 5 to 7 minutes after way too much experience.

Good luck with it.

 

Oh. After you install a short shifter you'll want to do the anti-venom mod. It involves lessening the shifter spring pressure from the transmission. Most short shifters already have their own spring loaded shift pattern and two springs are not better than one.
This is done under the car by feel only on the passenger side of the transmission. You remove the spring loaded plug bolt and place one or two large washers over the bolt and replace it. Instant shifting pleasure.

 

Possible? Yeah probably. But like everyone said, its not a lot of effort to remove and leaving it on will triple the time it takes to change the shifter since you will be fighting it the entire time.

 

Thanks for the responses. I have done plenty of dash type panel removals and it seems like every other one i do something snaps and breaks and with 20+ year old plastic, i know its gotta be brittle and with the other half the panels never seem to line up and fit together like they did before, so i was just trying to see if i could avoid it but i guess not. Looks like ill be removing it whenever, if ever, i install a new shifter. thanks again for the help

 

7 minutes to remove the console. It’s not worth the headache of not.

 

The hardest part of removing the console is unhooking the trunk release, took me 10-12 minutes the first time and then a minute the next time.