Installing A Steeda Tri-Ax Shifter
 

Ok, I just ordered my Steeda Tir-Ax shifter today, and have a few questions about installing it....

1)How long will it take?

2)How Hard Is It?(Will I need someone else's help?)

3)What tools do i need?

4)What other materials do i need???

Thanks For Your Time
Kris

Kris it is very easy...

First you will need I believe a 5/32" wrench to get the top plate off, which has the rubber seal around the shifter. It is a pain and tricky but with some patience it will not take long, there are 4 bolts, 2- towards the rear which are easy, and then 2- that are partially under the consol towards the radio.

Then you will need a 1/2" socket (Straight or swivel) a extension and a rachet. Take those 4 bolts off then tap on the shifter or use a small pry bar to pop it off the tranny. Then use a razor blade or scraper to remove all the old Permatex that is on the tranny(Make sure none falls in the tranny) then put a nice new bead of Permatex around the opening 1/8" Bead seems to work fine. Then just re-install the shifter with the 4- bolts and don't over torque them or you will crack the tranny. You may need to trim the rubber boot on the top plate to get it around the base of the Steeda, I had to for my Pro-5.0. Then adjust the shifter to make sure it goes into gear. You want the stop bolts to be about 1/8" away from the shifter while it is in gear so put it in 2nd and look at the bolt, then do the same thing in 3rd. Then re-install the top plate then slide the leather boot down the handle, snap it down and re-install the shifter handle.

This will be a mod you will really like it makes such a difference over that sloppy stock shifter. It may be a little noiser since it is so much more solid the valve train noise may be louder.

See Ya, Happy New Year,

Rick

I used a tip that Car craft detailed on their 86. Get a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel, and cut away the console plastic that is blocking the two forward bolts that hold down the rubber boot. Obviously be carefull to avoid cutting any plastic that holds the leather boot in place. That trick saved a bunch of time.

Also be carefull with the boot, it's a pain to get a new one from ford, and if it gets torn up expect a big draft and tons of road noise