[yankeehotelfoxtrot]

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.

 

[SteveWithThePBass]

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?

They've implemented shift by wire in the weirdest way though. When I quit the dealer last summer pretty much everything with a physical shifter still moved a Range Sensor at the transmission with a cable, there just wasn't any physical linkage inside the transmission. IIRC the 10R80 range sensor is inside the case moved by a lever, and you have to remove the valve body to get to it. That'll be a fun repair 10 years down the line.

If you buy parts to try this (which I think would be pretty cool), you'll probably want very new parts. Maybe the Folding F150 shifter?

 

[Solo with others]

Obviously you're not a golfer.

 

[theonetruetom]

I would like a manual mode option. Since this is CANbus it seems logical that it'd be swappable at some point down the road...

 

[OTACORB]

Pixie Dust and Wishful thinking will work just as good as trying to change out this rotary dial for a shifter.

 

[technicholy]

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.

 

[Chris McD]

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.

Because don't like when something is different than what they're used to so they complain. Simple as that.

 

[technicholy]

Because don't like when something is different than what they're used to so they complain. Simple as that.

Fair. My best friend can't understand why I like the Mav and don't want to spend twice that much on a Jeep. Aside from not being able to afford it, a $60k Jeep isn't a good value where a $32k Mav that can go down the same fire road is to me. Maybe I'm just weird.

 

[Chris McD]

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.

 

[technicholy]

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.

 

[grumpyunk]

Yeah. Ford is going through the "Let's put these cool knobs in all our vehicles!" thing like Chrysler did about 4 years ago. THEN the knobs turned out to be the utter shit that of course they are, a bunch failed and caused accidents, (Including an accident that killed actor Anton Yelchin, "Chekov" in the newer Star Trek films) Chrylser got their ass handed to them in court and immediately did away with the knobs on all models, going back entirely to the stick style shifters.

So yeah, expect the lawsuits to be incoming on those real soon unless Ford has some magic sauce that no other car maker has discovered yet. (yeah, right.)

As for me, since it appears swapping it out is not really an option unless I want to go it alone and experiment, I'm bailing on the Mav. I hate the knobs that much. They are an utter deal breaker for me.

Good luck guys, I hope you like your trucks when you get them. I'll probably be getting a 2022 Nissan Frontier instead. More expensive, but also more truck.

Thanks!

Good luck with the Renault/Citroen/Peugot truck. Has a little Japan left in it but not much.
Maybe they will add a new partner to the already crowded mix, such as FIAT. That would make it perfect.
It may look new on the outside, but underneath it is the same thing from last year and ... ... ...tom
Really, hope you like it, but my bet is the quality has been removed and replaced with soft seats and a cushy ride.

 

[Wearyman]

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. :/

 

[grumpyunk]

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).

 

[theonetruetom]

I've had my Maverick about a month now, and coming from a manual Focus, it took me about a week to adjust to not a) looking for a clutch pedal and b)not reaching for the shifter at a stop to put it in neutral. The auto-hold made for a fun trip through the car wash though.

 

[Herc]

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....

 

[Wax87]

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.

Or relocate it to the dash somewhere, lol

 

[Azmig]

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.

 

[Wax87]

I think this is more of an ego issue than a real function issue.

 

[Midwest Jim]

I have less than 200 miles on my Mav and this rotary dial seems quite intuitive to me.

 

[Smoky]

Been driving mine since early July....it's still awkward. Just can't get it, does NOT work for me
Edit.....I haven't had to look at a gear position indicator in almost 50 yrs, but I do with this truck however, I really like everything else about the truck. The rear under seat storage is great.