2005 Manual Shift Lever Issue

[bobmiller66]

Bought a 2005 6 speed TJ this summer. The shift lever boot and bezel were torn up at the back end (purposely by a previous owner). There is a lift kit that looks like a 2 to 3 inch lift (not a body lift). I bought a new bezel to clean up the look. When I clipped the new bezel in place, I could not shift into 2nd, 4th, 6th or reverse. I have tried to search for a fix through many sources and hopefully someone here has an idea. Rough County has a replacement Extended Shifter for the 97-02, but not for the 05. Any ideas on a fix or manufacturer of a shifter extension part?

Also, special thanks, shoutout to Matt at Midwest Jeeps for great knowledge and shipped parts! Great recommendation from this forum.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Since you said there's no body lift it sounds like a deep transfer case drop could be the root cause. Is one installed?

 

[CodaMan]

If the TC drop is required to eliminate vibrations, you could unbolt the console, slide it to the rear a half inch or so and use self-tapping screws to resecure it.

 

[bobmiller66]

Since you said there's no body lift it sounds like a deep transfer case drop could be the root cause. Is one installed?

Thanks Jerry. Not sure.... That’s my main problem. I have no history of original vs mods done. A close friend has an 06 and I can take a look underneath. However his son has it at MSU for now. How would I know if there is a trans case drop? If they just added longer springs would you need to do a trans case drop?

 

[bobmiller66]

If the TC drop is required to eliminate vibrations, you could unbolt the console, slide it to the rear a half inch or so and use self-tapping screws to resecure it.

Thanks for this option. I was hoping for something simpler? I have the sub woofer in the console and not sure the wiring would stretch....

 

[StG58]

How would I know if there is a trans case drop?

If there is a space between your skid plate and the frame, you have a transfer case skid plate drop. If the skid plate is up against the frame, no drop. Dropping the skid is a common fix for driveline vibrations on lifted TJ's.

 

[JMT]

@Jerry Bransford suggestion sounds right.

To see if you have Transfer Case drop, just look under your driver door and see if the transfer case skid plate is bolted directly to the frame (no drop) or if it has a spacer or washers separating it from direct contact with the frame (dropped). It’s a common thing to do on lifted TJ’s to eliminate vibrations caused by the driveline angles changing.

@CodaMan suggestion is a good one and I doubt the wiring is that sensitive to a 1” shift. If you do have a drop, Another solution is a 1” motor mount lift, which should allow you to get rid of the drop, which will raise your shifter back up giving room for those 4 gears. Or you can do the whole SYE and DC which is the best solution

 

[lowranger]

Thanks for this option. I was hoping for something simpler? I have the sub woofer in the console and not sure the wiring would stretch....

You might have to give up your "tunes" for a couple of days so you can shift your transmission.

 

[CodaMan]

...I have the sub woofer in the console and not sure the wiring would stretch....

That wasn't a problem on my last TJ and to be clear, the console can be moved faster than a TC drop can be removed.

 

[CodaMan]

Dropped TC skid

Stock TC skid

 

[CodaMan]

In most cases, a TC drop was added to reduce driveline vibrations after a lift. So the chances are that if it has a drop it was installed to reduce a vibration and removing it will bring the vibration back. The only way to know for sure though is to try removing it and drive it and see how it feels.

 

[bobmiller66]

Thanks all for the support!! Much appreciated. I’ll get under the ring this weekend. Last question. If there is a TC drop, no engine lift and I want to keep my tunes w/o moving the console, is there anything that can be done to the actual shifter?

 

[CodaMan]

Thanks all for the support!! Much appreciated. I’ll get under the ring this weekend. Last question. If there is a TC drop, no engine lift and I want to keep my tunes w/o moving the console, is there anything that can be done to the actual shifter?

I really don't think you're going to have sub woofer problems moving the console back 1/2". It's the simplest and quickest fix and best of all it's FREE

 

[CodaMan]

To identify a TC drop you don't even need to get under the rig. Stand back a few feet and you'll see everything you need to see.

 

[bobmiller66]

Just looked.... No TC drop. Looks like the free option of moving the console back, unless anyone has another idea...?

 

[CodaMan]

Well that is strange the the shifter is hitting when no TC drop or BL is installed. You're sure there's now body lift?

 

[bobmiller66]

The bushings between the body and frame are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. And look stock/original. Thanks for your help!

 

[JMT]

Hmm....That’s above my pay grade. Only thing I can think of geometrically is something is wrong with the transmission mount. Is that a possible cause?

Otherwise, sounds like an internal issue in the transmission.

 

[bobmiller66]

Interesting and you might be on to something! The look of the cut out bezel bothered me (cosmetic) that generated this discussion. Now, with the snow in Chicago, using the 4WD started to make some (TC) noise. Dropped the rig at a friends shop. Pulled the TC and the chain is stretched. AND when I went to see if the TC was dropped, which it wasn’t, he stated that the trans mount was broken. Good news....

However, my assumption that the previous owner that did the lift must have had the issue as they cut out the bezel and part of the front console. When we put it back together, with a new trans bracket, if the problem persists, I’ll be moving the console back an inch.... thanks for the comment!

 

[CodaMan]

Good find, something wasn't making sense. Make sure you replace the transmission mount with a rubber one and not a poly one.