Stick to Rotary Shift Knob Conversion w/ 3D Printed Rotary Shifter Holder

[OtterJohn]

I just completed the conversion and I wanted to inform the future DIY’s that the removal and replacement of the trim (2022 Lariat 15” screen) is a little more difficult than it looks in the videos depicting the swap. The videos are accurate in their detail, but I found that removing the center console top trim was moderately difficult. Particularly the portion that sits under the screen area.

There are alignment pins on each side that need to come up and out of a tab that they center in. It is a tight fit and requires a good deal of careful finessing to get them out without breaking. Likewise care must be taken in reassembly them. The tabs have some flex and can be pushed down, but it is difficult to keep them down and maneuver the trim forward to allow the pins to drop in. It’s not impossible to, but it does take some effort and patience.

Removing the electrical connection from the key detector under the cup holder nearest to the back is also not clearly described.

You can not simply pull it lose. You need a small flat blade screwdriver or similar device to insert in the open end facing up and at the back of the connector. There is slip tab down in that connection point. It doesn’t take much pressure (by spinning the blade) while pulling downward on the cable connector. There is limited space to work with here as the trim can not be removed completely until this connection is removed.

Hope this helps all you future GSM modifiers. Again, it is not a truly difficult task, but if you are not aware of this issues, it can frustrating pretty quick.

I would definitely do it again.

Good Luck!!

Appreciate the details; I'll be re-reading the instructions someone posted and watching all the videos I can find before I get my tools out.

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[VAL.ABAPO]

I ended up doing this with the Escape shifter in a Glass-Filled Nylon (PA6).
I've had good luck with the heat resistance of Nylon compared to the standard PLA or PETG.

I like the finish the GF gives the print, so I'll probably just leave this "in the white" so to speak.
Regarding UV exposure, I believe automotive glass tends to block most if not all (unless you drive with the windows down a lot), so that wasn't a huge consideration for me.

I used the Escape shifter LX6Z-7P155-U.
No motorized knob, but it does have a bodge that will lock it in place until you depress the brake pedal to shift.
I did have one fault code pop up that cleared about 50 miles later, but that's probably because I swapped this shifter with the power on because I wanted to work in the AC lol. What can I say, I'm lazy...

I liked the original Nalgene model, but made my own remix with a couple of quality of life improvements that can be found here on thingiverse

can you please share which Glass-Filled Nylon (PA6) product you used. thank you in advance.

 

[Jackdforme]

I have a muscle memory issue with the stock power shifter where sometime while rolling and wanting reverse I go to far to park. Curious if this happened to anyone here over rotating or is there some better detent?

 

[The Weatherman]

I have landed in N a few times since converting, but so far never P. ?

 

[jeff_h]

I have a muscle memory issue with the stock power shifter where sometime while rolling and wanting reverse I go to far to park. Curious if this happened to anyone here over rotating or is there some better detent?

I've had that happen a couple times, but then again also had it happen now and then 40 years ago when 90% of the shifters were on the steering column, so it's not common but does happen.

 

[masonta]

can you please share which Glass-Filled Nylon (PA6) product you used. thank you in advance.

I used Bambu GF PA-6 on a P1S. I have to turn the print up 45 degrees to get it to fit within the build area but it has the added benefit of making the layer lines invisible.

I think the CF filled version might match a little closer to some of the other nearby trim pieces, but the GF does just fine and I didn't feel like paying the extra $$$ for the CF filament

 

[spacepirate]

Another successful replacement. I followed Brandon Flasch's video on YT which was spot on. The factory shifter is a real beast by comparison.

I agree with other posters that getting the top trim off is a PITA but the whole thing took me about 30m.

 

[digitaldad]

The factory shifter is a real beast by comparison.

Nice!, FYI - I recommend stowing the original shifter (if able to) as a last step before disconnecting the harness to go to rotary...helps save some space if putting in a box/storage.

Do this AFTER pulling out the bottom bolt under stowed shifter!

 

[The Weatherman]

Nice!, FYI - I recommend stowing the original shifter (if able to) as a last step before disconnecting the harness to go to rotary...helps save some space if putting in a box/storage.

Wish I had thought of that or you had posted before I removed mine. ?

 

[bmwhitetx]

Wish I had thought of that or you had posted before I removed mine. ?

You might try applying 12V to pin 1 and GND to pin 9 to see if the stow button will work.
(Connector view - part view will be mirrored)

EDIT: Does not work

 

[The Weatherman]

You might try applying 12V to pin 1 and GND to pin 9 to see if the stow button will work.
(Connector view - part view will be mirrored)

Sweet. I thought about asking the collective if they knew what pins might do that. Sweet! I’ll try that tomorrow and report back. ?

 

[The Weatherman]

@bmwhitetx

Just tried energizing the shifter with a 12v link from my ATV battery and pressing the fold button.

No Joy. Sorry to report.

I tested leads using a volt meter and had 12.47v showing at the time. ?

 

[The Weatherman]

If the new connection point wasn’t directly under the dial and had a side connection like the original shifter, I would remove the side trim and hook it up again temporarily.

And if, if and butts were candy and nuts we would all have a Merry Christmas.

 

[digitaldad]

And if, if and butts were candy and nuts we would all have a Merry Christmas.

 

[spacepirate]

Nice!, FYI - I recommend stowing the original shifter (if able to) as a last step before disconnecting the harness to go to rotary...helps save some space if putting in a box/storage.

I wish I had thought of this too but I have a box that should be sufficient to protect it.

One of the four 10mm bolts that you need to remove to get the shifter out is actually under the stowed position of the shifter so you should get that bolt out BEFORE you put the shifter down.

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