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Rod Shifter Install Pics
These cars first came with a Cable shifter. This mechanism is not known for its precision - it was leftover from the previous manual Taurus (the MT-5), and Ford used it and adapted it. It was finally changed to a Rod Shifter in 1991. This feels better and more precise.
This setup can easily be installed in the earlier cars, so I got one and decided to do the conversion.
Test fit using my spare trans. This is how the Rod Shifter attaches to Transaxle, shown here outside the car.
Note the little bit of silver on the side of shifter box-that's heat shielding material.
Closer view of the Transaxle mounting point.
View of the stabilizer bolt.
Front up on Rhino-ramps, rear on bricks. Not much room. This pic is from my
exhaust install but I did the same for the shifter.
Interior view. Note old cable shifter in passenger footwell.
How it looks all finished. This is still the original cable boot and console frame, it works fine this way.
A few notes:
This is a major project - plan for a whole weekend of work if you want to do it right. It takes time to remove the console, carpet, insulation, and then you still have the shifter and cables to mess with.
The exhaust will have to be changed: the shifter will interfere with the stock exhaust, specifically the resonator pipe. I changed to a Borla setup .
Make sure you read and understand the procedure here: SHOtimes FAQ. Before you start. Have all the parts and tools ready.
Both cables can be removed without cutting. One is right behind the floor vents and is a pain to get in one piece but doable. Having a Helms or Haynes manual helps here.
Do not forget the heat shielding since you will be cutting half your heat shield. Remember, the shifter box is plastic and it'll be close to exhaust.
The shifter will be close to the left of the console when done, so measure carefully. I used the dimples in the floor as orientation, but had to widen them slightly to move shifter to the right- it rubbed the console originally.
Important: Leave the stabilizer bolt as the last part, be careful with this, tighten it to proper torque. This is the only fastener to stabilize the shifter to trans and if it loosens/falls out, or strips off, you're done. Improperly installing this bolt can lead to Trans case damage, which might require trans to be removed!
Finally, the exhaust doesn't have to be removed to install. You will have to install the rear section in 2 parts but it's not too bad.