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Rotary Shifter swap?

38K views 93 replies 37 participants last post by  alifromIraq  
#1 ·
Hey everyone, first post, and I expect it's going to be a controversial one. Not looking to start a fight or anything, I'm just guessing not everyone will agree with me on this.

I hope the modders here can help me find a solution.

I'm looking at replacing my (heavily modified) aging 2008 Jeep Liberty with a Ford Maverick. The price is right and for what it does it would functionally replace everything I can do with the Liberty (except the heavier off roading, but admittedly, I really don't do that anymore. No time.)

The thing that is holding me back is that thrice cursed rotary knob gear shifter.

I hate them.

What I am trying to find out is if anyone knows if the dial shifter can be swapped with a stick style shifter from another model of Ford truck or car? Like the Ranger auto shift stick? It is also a "fly by wire" CANBUS unit, it just uses a normal, highly tactile shifter stick. I just don't know if it's compatible and I'm not about to commit to a vehicle purchase just to find out.

Note that I'm perfectly fine with losing the "auto park" function. I never want the vehicle to do anything I haven't explicitly told it to do, so if I can hamstring that function in the process, all the better. If I have to mount a couple extra CANBUS toggle buttons to replace other functions of the Rotary, I can do that too. I have a drill. ;)

If it's absolutely not possible, then the Maverick may fall off my list of prospective vehicles. Yeah, the rotary knob is that big of a deal to me.

Normally I wouldn't even consider a vehicle that I was forced to do "quality of life" mods to right off the lot, but money is tight right now and the Mav fits my budget and needs. Almost everything else that fits is 10-20k outside my budget. (Still looking at the Jeep Compass, but it's got shit for towing capability) Also, I have to admit that the Mav just kind of twigs something in me. I like it. More than I expected I would. It's just... that KNOB... Grrrrrrr!

Recommendations for a swap?
 
#4 ·
No. The dial is an electrical switch, not a mechanical lever that connects to anything. At current, Ford does not have a plug and play lever (switch) that can be simply swapped into the same location.

I wish it weren't so as I detest the rotary dials, they aren't nearly as intuitive as a conventional lever shifter. The price point of the truck however is enough compensating factor to set that aside LOL.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I get that it's a switch. it's an electronic switch with a circuit board that sends position signal via CANBUS to the truck's computer.

However, every other auto transmission shifter in Ford's modern lineup, whether stick or knob, is the same thing. they are ALL "drive by wire". NONE of them are physically connected to the transmission. Only the Manual shift models are. (At least, as far as I am aware.)

My question is: Can a CANBUS stick style auto shifter be swapped with a CANBUS dial style auto shifter?
 
#8 ·
Although I do like physical shifters, it is less safe, as the dials allow the system to keep you from putting the car in a dangerous state. Its not like its a manual or a DCT and they are robbing you of both a shift knob or paddles. My Dad's new Ram 3500 (I think) has even went to the dial.
 
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#9 ·
Everyone saying no..... C'mon. This is a truck for makers! And, he has a drill!

Get a big ol hole saw that will go all the way around the rotary shifter, cut it out. Take the center bit out first so that you don't drill a hole through the dial.
Place the newly liberated dial assy on it's side and JB Weld a shifter to the dial face.
Mount the shifter to the side of the center console. You may have to lengthen the wire harness for the shifter.

Viola! You now have a stick shifter and a new, central cup holder!
 
#12 ·
I think you need to look at the schematics / prints for both units . If there both fly by wire you need to see if Ford uses the same plug adapter with the same # of pins .
Then the hard part will be retrofitting the new shifter onto the console to look like it’s OEM .
 
#19 ·
I've owned 3 RWD Frontiers over a 15-year period. The first one was the car-like platform before the current one. It actually had a stick shift! If excitement isn't your thing, you will like them. The last one I owned had the rear end fail at 40,000 miles (and I never haul anything of consequence). The dealer took it away from me when they discovered the problem. I traded it for the Transit Connect I've been driving for my last 5-year cycle - which I will be selling when my Lariat comes in. The TC was a paradigm shift for me. It caused an end to my shade tree mechanic days. The first vehicle I've ever owned that I really couldn't work on easily - even just to change the oil! Then I found out how difficult/impossible it is to connect aftermarket devices to it, Like Sirius Radio, because the factory build doesn't provide any interface to connect to. Things Change. We have to change with them.
 
#21 ·
Having spent some time in a newer Ford Explorer, I can guarantee you that the dial shifter is both intuitive and (especially for truck owners) less intrusive than a center-console based "traditional" shifter.

They're all electronic shifters in automatics anyway, so a "traditional shifter" is basically the same thing as pressing a button...just dressed up like a manual. That makes them less cool as far as I'm concerned.
 
#26 ·
I don't understand any of this thread. Why so much hate for a knob? Does it apply to the electric parking brake too?

I'm from the other camp, I guess. I have a background in component level electronic repair and these systems seem great to me. As far as making a shift lever, it probably wouldn't be that complicated to duplicate the switch functions in a lever, but it won't change anything about how the transmission shifts or operates.

I guess the part I don't understand is why this would be a deal breaker on its own.
 
#29 ·
Totally agree. Here in Cali I see Wranglers all the time, often with easily 5-10k in mods put into them. I would say about 80% of them have ever seen dirt.

I intend to do a little bit of overlanding on my FWD hybrid. A set of all terrains should be fine on a fire road. Maybe some traction pads, too.
 
#30 ·
Well, I'm going for the EgoBruise and AWD. I would probably go for the hybrid if they offered AWD with it, but not yet apparently. See, what had happened was, I need the AWD for the inch of snow we get every other year that I don't drive in anyway (just in case), and the FX4 and tow package is for all the other scenarios I'll never find myself in. But I do get extra parts and a skid plate to make it harder to service, so that's nice.
 
#64 ·
Obviously none of you haters have driven the hybid in the snow. We had six inches here a few weeks back and the truck did fine. Note, that she's still just wearing the factory all-seasons. Doubt me? Check any of the many YT videos from Canadian hybrid reviewers. With snow tires, they plow through some deep stuff.
Caveat: What I've seen is on-road only and no steep hills.
 
#32 ·
Well, I've had more time to mull it over, and despite not liking the dial shifter at all, I figure I can learn to tolerate it. The Mav is the only vehicle with the capability it has and in the price range I want, and honestly, it has grown on me so much, I'm learning to overlook (not like, but overlook) the shift knob.

Maybe, down the road, I can do a CANBUS Swap for a normal shifter. But for now, I'm just going to have to learn to live with it. Nothing else I want is at a price I am willing to pay. I guess being a cheap SOB means you have to settle sometimes. :/
 
#33 ·
I feel the same about the rotary as I do about 'drive by wire' throttle control and electrically assisted power steering. Both depending upon motors to do what the command says, interpreting the value from a pair of 'volume controls' essentially into how much to open the throttle or how much, if any, motor assist to help turn the steering wheel & linkage. At least the steering has mechanical links
in the case that the electronic gizmos give up the ghost.
OTOH, had older cars that had mechanical throttle, actual links and pivots, that would jam wide open if you pushed the pedal too hard, causing the engine to lift off the mount, and hold the throttle open. THAT was a surprise... unexpectedly in real life traffic while making a left turn... still here, so it must not have been fatal.
If you look, both the ranger and the escape have given up a lot of cubic volume to have separate front seats. the first escapes had column shifters, leaving a lot more room in front. wasted a lot of space, but i still bought one later with console and floor shift.
the only reason there is electric throttle and steering is they can do it for less $$, and can integrate the cruise control (all you need for cruise is the controls, and the enable of the software).
 
#35 ·
Dial shifters cannot be dependably utilized on a bumpy road and/ or in an emergency when fast accurate shifting is needed by a firm grip and muscle memory reflexes. This was implemented as a cost savings gimmick which in our case is holding us back from buying a new Grand Cherokee and now looking for an alternative....
 
#37 ·
When I first got the truck, I really disliked the knob. A few weeks later, I didn't care for it. A few weeks later, I never think about it. It's become 'normal' to me.
I look at it this way: If we always had the knob, and then a lever replaced it, we'd find it odd for a while too. Just get used to it. It's not really that big of a deal.