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

[ditkafan1985]

Glad to hear everything worked out!

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[windydrew]

Here's my shifter setup...

I didn't necessarily like the existing designs as they were a bit "chunky" and made an attempt to get it more OEM looking.

BIG thanks to @ENDianDigital, without his design/kick in the butt I probably wouldn't have done this, it started as a few mods and turned into a complete redesign.

Main differences are that the shifter is located at the front (the cable is long enough if you cut/push out the strap holding it to the side wall).
The shifter is tilted 10-15 degrees.
You dont have to cut the tabs.
It accommodates the Escape and E-Transit shifters.

I ended up using the E-Transit shifter, being black, it doesn't stand out as much as a chrome would.

I painted the tub with a graphite metallic and dusted it with flat black to try and match the color/look of the cup holders, followed up with a matte clear.

And, yes, I'll post the drawings, this was basically the prototype and theres a few changes that I'd like to make before posting them.

I ordered the factory bucket but I think I'm going to print this instead. Did you make it available?

 

[mr.Magoo]

I ordered the factory bucket but I think I'm going to print this instead. Did you make it available?

Not quite yet, I'm uploading the cleaned up version to my printer right now.

As soon as it's done (Monday) and assuming things come out the way it's supposed to, I'll make it availible one way or another.

 

[jetfixr1]

Not quite yet, I'm uploading the cleaned up version to my printer right now.

As soon as it's done (Monday) and assuming things come out the way it's supposed to, I'll make it availible one way or another.

I really like your version. I installed a rotary shifter today with the manion makes print referenced in the very first post. I could not for the life of me get the paint to fill in the tiny gaps that naturally comes with a 3d print so I will eventually swap it out for something more appealing like yours. FYI for anyone wondering the Bronco sport shifter I ordered does work as intended. Ill try to post some pics tomorrow.

 

[digitaldad]

I could not for the life of me get the paint to fill in the tiny gaps that naturally comes with a 3d print so...

Did you use sandable primer before the paint? Check out my earlier post/vid, discussing this (if not).

 

[jetfixr1]

Did you use sandable primer before the paint? Check out my earlier post/vid, discussing this (if not).

I did not, I missed that post. Thank you for sharing, will definitely do this on the next one.

 

[mr.Magoo]

That brand/type comes in Ultra-Matte, Flat, Semi-Gloss, and Gloss. Would Semi-Gloss be closest to Satin?

For anyone looking for paint suggestions, satin/semi gloss came out way too shiny for me.

I had the best luck with flat and then a matte clear ontop, that way its still kind of flat but has a sheen to it.

 

[butterfb]

Here's my shifter setup...

I didn't necessarily like the existing designs as they were a bit "chunky" and made an attempt to get it more OEM looking.

BIG thanks to @ENDianDigital, without his design/kick in the butt I probably wouldn't have done this, it started as a few mods and turned into a complete redesign.

Main differences are that the shifter is located at the front (the cable is long enough if you cut/push out the strap holding it to the side wall).
The shifter is tilted 10-15 degrees.
You dont have to cut the tabs.
It accommodates the Escape and E-Transit shifters.

I ended up using the E-Transit shifter, being black, it doesn't stand out as much as a chrome would.

I painted the tub with a graphite metallic and dusted it with flat black to try and match the color/look of the cup holders, followed up with a matte clear.

And, yes, I'll post the drawings, this was basically the prototype and theres a few changes that I'd like to make before posting them.

DId you ever finish share out the file for this one, I can also print and test it for you if you like. I have done the ones with the shifter in the back but feel there is too much on the bent wrist, yours is much more ergo.

 

[mr.Magoo]

DId you ever finish share out the file for this one.

I didn't, well, until now that is.
My first print turned into a birdsnest halfway through, so I had to start over.
I modified the tub slightly so that it accepts the Bronco shifter as well, top one is Escape and bottom is Bronco (same tub) and it also does E-Transit (which is the one I'm using). Escape and E-Transit fits better due to their chamfered top whereas the Bronco shifter is straight, so visually there's a slightly bigger gap around the knob.

I'm using M4 metal inserts from this kit >> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPVCTXJ7?th=1
Others may work, but this is what I used on mine. I'd use flanged M4x12 screws, but regular M4+washers is OK too.

When mounting it in the truck you need to undo the gray plastic clip in the back left hand side wall holding the cable in place. Because the support bracket end up right behind / underneath the connector you also need to plug the cable into the shifter before you attach the front support.
For the very same reason you can't use the center mounting bolt, it's too tight to get to it (at least for me, but don't worry, it's not going anywhere with the three that's there.

If you feel generous, go here >> https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6978586/files and tip @ENDianDigital, it's only because he started it and was kind enough to publish his step files that I even thought about doing this, so credit goes to him.

This ZIP-File has the Step files and the STL files that I used to print the one below.

I'm by no means a mechanical designer, so this isn't optimized for anything except that it works for me. My print took 60hrs (0.12mm layer height and 20% infill), so be prepared to wait.

 

[mikeyb]

Just installed mine. Great packaging. Waited about 2 months, it is popular. Lost the sexy, noisy in the way shifter. Also must have lost 10 lbs, that motor and gearbox for the shifter is heavy, think I gained 5 miles with reduced weight. You also lose the annoying shifts to Park when you open the door, yes a safety feature, unwelcome on the farm looking down at crops.

 

[The Weatherman]

I am waiting on my replacement mount to come in. Received the shifter this week and will replace down the road.

 

[TechnoSwiss]

You also lose the annoying shifts to Park when you open the door, yes a safety feature, unwelcome on the farm looking down at crops.

Are you sure about that? Shift to park should still work with the rotary shifter, it's even easier since it's doesn't have to move the sift lever, and others have reported that it does indeed still work after the conversion. If you've done the conversion and it's no longer doing the auto shift to park, do you mind sharing the part number for the shifter you used?

 

[mikeyb]

Are you sure about that? Shift to park should still work with the rotary shifter, it's even easier since it's doesn't have to move the sift lever, and others have reported that it does indeed still work after the conversion. If you've done the conversion and it's no longer doing the auto shift to park, do you mind sharing the part number for the shifter you used?

Ford LX6P-7P155-EH 20 21 22 Doesn't appear to have a motor and gearbox on it to move it. Maybe I have a bad part? Used link in this thread to order from Bay. I'm happy anyway.

 

[mr.Magoo]

Ford LX6P-7P155-EH 20 21 22 Doesn't appear to have a motor and gearbox on it to move it.

They'll "move" / shift into park anyway, just put yours into gear and open the door and you'll see. It doesn't physically move, but the gear will shift and the LEDs with it.

 

[CRAIGC540]

This has to be the best mod you can do on the Lightning! Thanks to Thanks to @Drayday55 for printing it for me his version which is perfect. Also the under seat air vent extension and Frunk button cover. The air extensions worked well for my
One note on the install, when taking of the center trim piece the video shows to pull towards but there is a plastic pin in a hole that needs to be lifted up but the center screen is blocking it from coming out of the hole it is in. You have to pry the hole down and the pin up to get it out, I also put a L- wrench in the hole once I had the pin out of one side to keep it from popping back in while prying the other side out. If you just pull I'm sure that pin will break, although not a big deal as it's probably not needed.

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