Fold-down shifter mechanism faulty?

[ctuan13]

Hey everybody, new to the forum, but couldn't find any posts about this exact issue, so I figured I'd ask:

Was out the other day looking at a mannequin/demo I was considering working out a deal with a dealer to purchase. When I got in for a test drive I was adjusting the mirrors, seat and steering wheel to fit me, right around then I was showing my parents the fold down shifter feature.

That's when I noticed an odd behavior I haven't seen in any other demo lightning (I've been lucky enough to test drive around eight) it seemed to fold down okay, but upon pushing the button to raise it again, it came all the way back and after reaching the fully raised position, started clicking and struggling for an additional two seconds, as if the lift mechanism motor didn't know to stop. Truck still shifted in and out of gear just fine, but was definitely a bit concerning as it ight be a truck I end up buying.

Have any of you experienced this in any of your lightnings? Would you consider this "normal" or do you like me, also find this to be a defect of sorts?

Sponsored

 

[LightningShow]

I haven't had experience with the shifter but it's definitely something that worries me. It's a cool party trick but it seems like pointless complexity. I'd rather just have a knob or button to shift and allow the "table" to be opened at any time.

The good thing is that the mechanism is used on ICE trucks, too, so it should be pretty well sorted out as far as operation and issues go.

 

[Pioneer74]

If it's faulty, it will be covered under warranty. Show the salesman the shifter before you buy it and have it fixed.

I have this shifter on my 2021 Lariat. I hate how cheap it feels and wish we could use the space it occupies for something else. I would have liked either a column shifter or rotary dial instead of the "party trick"

 

[ctuan13]

If it's faulty, it will be covered under warranty. Show the salesman the shifter before you buy it and have it fixed.

I have this shifter on my 2021 Lariat. I hate how cheap it feels and wish we could use the space it occupies for something else. I would have liked either a column shifter or rotary dial instead of the "party trick"

I definitely agree, it does feel cheap, dainty and certainly not befitting a premium trim truck, not to mention a needless cost and complexity adder. As a fan of mechanisms that can be actuated by feel and not slight I'd find some sort of physical shifter preferable to a know and as a lover of classic full size sedans, I'd honestly feel right at home with a column shifter.

 

[rdr854]

If it's faulty, it will be covered under warranty. Show the salesman the shifter before you buy it and have it fixed.

I have this shifter on my 2021 Lariat. I hate how cheap it feels and wish we could use the space it occupies for something else. I would have liked either a column shifter or rotary dial instead of the "party trick"

I too would have preferred the tried and true column shifter. The motorized shifter is just one more thing to break.

 

[Pioneer74]

I definitely agree, it does feel cheap, dainty and certainly not befitting a premium trim truck, not to mention a needless cost and complexity adder. As a fan of mechanisms that can be actuated by feel and not slight I'd find some sort of physical shifter preferable to a know and as a lover of classic full size sedans, I'd honestly feel right at home with a column shifter.

I thought I was going to hate the rotary dial when we got our Edge. I was pleasantly surprised with it, and definitely would like it better than the shifter in the truck.

 

[broncoaz]

EZ-GO has this sorted out…

 

[Kev12345]

The shifter is the dumbest thing about these trucks. Old school stalk or RAM-like knob on the dash opens up so much room in the center console. No clue why ford decided to go with this needless complexity.

 

[Regular150]

I too would have preferred the tried and true column shifter. The motorized shifter is just one more thing to break.

This is the same thing manual Windows and locks buyers say to those with powered windows. Our 21 shifter is fine almost 2 years of raising and lowering, not every day of course.

 

[SmokingtheMeats]

I thought I was going to hate the rotary dial when we got our Edge. I was pleasantly surprised with it, and definitely would like it better than the shifter in the truck.

Man, I hated the rotary shifter in the Explorer. I much prefer where the shifter is now, but I do understand there is no need for it and would be ok if it were gone

 

[broncoaz]

The shifter is the dumbest thing about these trucks. Old school stalk or RAM-like knob on the dash opens up so much room in the center console. No clue why ford decided to go with this needless complexity.

Every time I rent a Ram truck with the knob I’m truly disgusted. A stalk or even buttons/paddles on the steering wheel would be fine.

 

[Whitetiburon]

Man, I hated the rotary shifter in the Explorer. I much prefer where the shifter is now, but I do understand there is no need for it and would be ok if it were gone

What about the rotary shifter did you dislike? Just curious.

Sponsored