Anyone using the B&M sport shifter?

Bring back an old thread hoping for some wisdom.

I recently scored on a BM for my 05 LJR. As it sits, I have the OME 2in lift, brown dog 1in mml, stock transmission mount and the UCF no lift t case skid. Love the shifter, I no longer feel like it’s going to pop out of 1st or reverse…. But I now that everything is back together, I hit the trim and cannot get it into reverse.

Im trying to raise the transmission up an inch to see if more of a tummy tuck would help, but after undoing the transmission mount I can only get about 1/4in of up movement. Would loosening the motor mounts help? My plan is to try before I buy, UCF is offering 10% and free shipping.

Thanks

Why not just trim the trim? It's the shift boot trim ring it's hitting right?

B&M is one of my top three favorite mods btw!
 
Yep, the shift boot trim. Everything inside is pretty much OEM and my fear is I’ll ruin it haha. The other downside is that it takes some effort to shift. The old tower I could use my pinky holding a can of seltzer, I kinda have to think about the shift.
 
Yep, the shift boot trim. Everything inside is pretty much OEM and my fear is I’ll ruin it haha. The other downside is that it takes some effort to shift. The old tower I could use my pinky holding a can of seltzer, I kinda have to think about the shift.

Mine takes more effort when it’s cold. Once warm I can two fingers it.

Surprised there is issue with the boot trim ring. With a BL and stock Shifter, yes, but the throw on the B&M is so short I wouldn’t expect it to hit the trim ring.
 
If your oem shifter wasn’t hitting the trim before not sure why the B&M short shifter would be hitting? Installing mine actually helped with that. I shift much easier and my knuckles don’t hit the console in 1,3, and 5 as well.

FWIW I’m on 2” bds lift, MORE mml, 1.25” BL, and UCF extra clearance skid
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
unbolt the transmission mount from the skid and jack it up an inch. See if there are any clearance issues and/or if it helps with bezel trim interference with shifter.
 
@jazngab Whats up… when are we doing Rausch.

My unprofessional guess is that I’m at an odd angle, the slope to the rear is too great. I’m thinking if I raise the tranny with more of a tuck it will level out the driveline, worst case I’ll ditch the mml for OEM mounts.

@sierradmax that’s where I am running into a slight hiccup. I have the tranny unbolted but when I jack it up the whole jeep goes with it. When it warms up I’ll try loosening the motor mounts.
 
Last edited:
The B&M output angle is not with the funky angle that the 2005 OEM shifter has. It was “built” for the JK NSG.

Mine is a PITA and hits, had to Dremel the plastic on the boot. I couldn’t shit with the TC Drop, once I put the SYE on it fixed it.

It’s the funky bend in the OEM shifter, even with the shorter shifts, it will hit unless the trans is all the way up, and BL it TC drop and it hits.

Inhave a TJ and JK, the shifter 6” stick is bent differently
 
  • Like
Reactions: Camdenst
I have the tranny unbolted but when I jack it up the whole jeep goes with it. When it warms up I’ll try loosening the motor mounts.

I noticed the same thing on mine. When you lift the tranny, it's taking a lot of weight off the Jeep, so the Jeep goes up too. Try jacking it up a little higher. Eventually it should start lifting the tranny by itself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Camdenst
Thanks for the replies. I wonder if a stock JK shift lever would help? This afternoon I’ll try putting more pressure on the tranny with the jack.
 
Thanks for the replies. I wonder if a stock JK shift lever would help? This afternoon I’ll try putting more pressure on the tranny with the jack.

This the stock shifter NSG for the 2005 (I think 06 as well.


85A39C40-03CE-49F7-B450-77454E5DE6FC.webp


A50007E2-188A-460E-9108-15A49F97FE42.webp



This is the B&M and the JK OEM

DA2C4345-C740-4092-A42E-5A642603E47B.webp


02DCFD35-DE0B-4D59-81A8-7732D1AB7A65.webp



Do you see how the TJ OEM a has a bend that keeps it farther forward in the shift boot area, and the JK and B&M goes straight back?

The JK style is worse in the TJ console, and the B&M only comes in the JK shape, so it doesn’t fit well.

If you lower the Trans, it then hits. If you then lift it back up, it works, but super close.

I’m going to out in the UA from Savvy, and I’m curious to see if it will then fit really well in the TJ.

I have not found a B&M with the TJ bend.
 
The shift sticks matter too.

The B&M is actually better for fit in TJ, the stick is in front of the shifter bolt in.

The MOPAR was stick was behind bolt in, which makes it hit even more. You can see them both here. The Mopar will run on the console bezel more, the B&M fits in front.

Add the B&M shape and the Mopar shift stick and they really hit the bezel.

6A6F6249-5865-42A3-80BA-7BA2F4BD4803.webp


FA9F8C9A-0AF4-4038-89AD-0EA6E2CD78C5.webp
 
Thanks @cpwolf, great info. I do see that little bend.

I tried the BM shift and found it to interfere worse. That and it’s on the low side which I didn’t find to be comfortable. Once the roommates (kids) go down for rest time I’ll try jacking it up.
 
Well it’s settled… I’m going to need to tuck it up a bit.

Here is we where we are currently, regular UCF no body lift skid.
F7D7815C-E57C-401C-ABB0-F68C128EF952.jpeg


Here is the transmission jacked up about an inch from where it sits.

EDF4C9F4-2992-4B4D-8BA2-244170D45E7E.webp


AD1C4B0D-0737-4D8F-9D63-BB4D7B1215D4.webp
 
how much more room do you need? another fix is a torch and a vice - you can recontour what you have there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikekiM
I'm sure a good 1/2ish would be fine.

But then I wouldn't get to buy new parts only to realize I've caused more problems to buy even more parts hahaha.

The Savvy Under Armor will lift it, but you need to also add a 1.25” BL and 1” MML. So yeah it’s going down a path.

I have them all here and painting and waiting for a weekend I’m not slammed ha.
 
Already have the MML and the Savvy BL, I'm thinking the UCF extra clearance.

Are you planning on an SYE and DC driveshaft and upper rear control arms with that? I recently installed the same stuff, and thought I might be able to get by without the driveline mods (mine's an LJ too). But even with a spacer on the UCF extra clearance skid, I had vibes, and had to add the extras.