Rotary Shifter Upgrade

[mt2525]

Just received this part #JX6P-7P155-FG mounted in the conversion piece from Etsy. Before I attempt this upgrade on my 2022 lightning XLT has anyone used this particular part number?

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[El Duderino]

Here is a big thread with the part # list:

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/rotary-shifter-part-numbers.29588/

 

[galstaf]

I have one of the motorized versions that shifts itself mechanically back into park (not just move LED lights). It has been great for the most part except for one time right at the end of a long day where the truck thought it was in park but the shifter was stuck in the Drive setting and wouldn't move. The vehicle wouldn't move even after being rebooted.

I strongly recommend keeping your factory shifter in the truck with the tools to put it back just in case.

It only happened that one time and I have kept the knob shifter without another problem, but it may screw you at an inopportune moment in the rain and the dark when you are super tired, so be sure to have a backup option so you don't get stranded!

 

[El Duderino]

I have one of the motorized versions that shifts itself mechanically back into park (not just move LED lights). It has been great for the most part except for one time right at the end of a long day where the truck thought it was in park but the shifter was stuck in the Drive setting and wouldn't move. The vehicle wouldn't move even after being rebooted.

I strongly recommend keeping your factory shifter in the truck with the tools to put it back just in case.

A cautionary tale and good advice. What allowed you to fix the situation?

Did you have to unplug the harness connector from the shifter?

I also did have one issue with a Ford OEM rotary shifter where it threw a DTC but did shift. I think it unlocks to allow you to shift out of park quickly after turning on the ignition but if you do it too quickly, the CanBus messages fail and it throws a DTC. Just my experience...

I have gone back to the OEM Lightning shifter because I can easily pop the console side cover off and unplug the shifter if I need to without disassembling the top of the console and remove bolts to unplug the rotary shifter. I think this solves a lot of issues.

Thus my own requirements for using the rotary shifter again are to be able to unplug it without major disassembly. The ManionMakes style 3D printed mounts are out, bolt removal required for unplugging. I have seen others use the ICE F150 center console left side rectangle box for a rotary shifter by cutting a hole in it for the harness to pass through and then 3D print a "top hat" to hold the rotary shifter. I like this option because it's easy to pull up the shifter and unplug it if needed.

My 2 cents... YMMV

 

[galstaf]

A cautionary tale and good advice. What allowed you to fix the situation?

Did you have to unplug the harness connector from the shifter?

I also did have one issue with a Ford OEM rotary shifter where it threw a DTC but did shift. I think it unlocks to allow you to shift out of park quickly after turning on the ignition but if you do it too quickly, the CanBus messages fail and it throws a DTC. Just my experience...

I have gone back to the OEM Lightning shifter because I can easily pop the console side cover off and unplug the shifter if I need to without disassembling the top of the console and remove bolts to unplug the rotary shifter. I think this solves a lot of issues.

Thus my own requirements for using the rotary shifter again are to be able to unplug it without major disassembly. The ManionMakes style 3D printed mounts are out, bolt removal required for unplugging. I have seen others use the ICE F150 center console left side rectangle box for a rotary shifter by cutting a hole in it for the harness to pass through and then 3D print a "top hat" to hold the rotary shifter. I like this option because it's easy to pull up the shifter and unplug it if needed.

My 2 cents... YMMV

I didn't actually have to plug in the factory unit. I did unplug the rotary and plugged it back in to reset it, but now carry the factory shifter with me just in case.
I love the fancy electronic options but it is massively frustrating if you can't just stick a screw driver in the shifter to force a gear change like the older ICE vehicles do.

 

[galstaf]

I have gone back to the OEM Lightning shifter because I can easily pop the console side cover off and unplug the shifter if I need to without disassembling the top of the console and remove bolts to unplug the rotary shifter. I think this solves a lot of issues.

That does sound appealing! Can you share what you did to make that happen? Possibly post pics if you can?

 

[galstaf]

I have seen others use the ICE F150 center console left side rectangle box for a rotary shifter by cutting a hole in it for the harness to pass through and then 3D print a "top hat" to hold the rotary shifter. I like this option because it's easy to pull up the shifter and unplug it if needed

I did actually consider this so that I could change gears without lifting up my "center dining table". The rotary under it is nice, but it still annoying that I have to lift the console cover to get to it. Ford always claims their vehicles are tested by "real users" before they are released, but I could cite a metric sht ton of feeble design choices that could have been done better. Why not just put a rotary shifter on the dash, and let the console work table be down in drive if people want or need that?

Do you know if anyone posted pics of the "side mount" option.. is it on this forum? I remember searching for it but couldn't find anything relevant.

 

[El Duderino]

I did actually consider this so that I could change gears without lifting up my "center dining table". The rotary under it is nice, but it still annoying that I have to lift the console cover to get to it. Ford always claims their vehicles are tested by "real users" before they are released, but I could cite a metric sht ton of feeble design choices that could have been done better. Why not just put a rotary shifter on the dash, and let the console work table be down in drive if people want or need that?

Do you know if anyone posted pics of the "side mount" option.. is it on this forum? I remember searching for it but couldn't find anything relevant.

This user has a few posts in this thread showing this concept:

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...inted-rotary-shifter-holder.25541/post-505134

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...inted-rotary-shifter-holder.25541/post-501808

 

[K6CCC]

I can easily pop the console side cover off

That got my attention. Never even thought about that, but is there any magic required to pop the side cover off? In my case I would do that in order to run some cables under the console (control cables for two way radios).

 

[El Duderino]

That got my attention. Never even thought about that, but is there any magic required to pop the side cover off? In my case I would do that in order to run some cables under the console (control cables for two way radios).

It's super easy. A pry tool is handy but not 100% necessary. Any of the videos on YouTube about disassembling the console will show it. I will look for a good video to link for you later on.

 

[galstaf]

It's super easy. A pry tool is handy but not 100% necessary. Any of the videos on YouTube about disassembling the console will show it. I will look for a good video to link for you later on.

Oh.. you are talking about the long skinny plastic/with plastic chrome piece that trims out the corner between the sidewall and the horizontal area with the shifter and cup holders?

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