Well, since I'm a cheap SOB and don't have the pennies for an nice Aftermarket shifter, I decided to mod my OEM shifter myself.
The results where nothing less that ASTOUNDING to say the least!
I can now bang gears with confidence and have NO MORE slop or rubbery feeling from the OEM shifter. I have NO shifter noise OR vibration ! The shift gate is Positive and Firm.
This is how I did it....
Removed the shifter boot, bezel and the (2) bolts that hold the shifter
handle.
Next, I simply removed the worn out POS rubber insulators AND the insulator bracket.
See pics below...
I then made a run to my local hardware store and picked up (4) hard round rubber grommets and (4) washers. The rubber grommets were tight enough to install in the (2) bolt holes of the shifter handle.
Next I removed the (2) metal bushings that are located inside the rubber insulator that is attached to the shifter handle.
Since the (2) bushings are now (minus the rubber insulators and bracket) are now much longer than needed, I decided to cut (1) of the bushings in HALF.
I then used the (2) half's of the metal bushing and inserted each of them into the rubber grommets of the shifter handle.
See pics below...
So I must say, this Mod cost a grand total of $1.71 (including tax), and
GREATLY improved the shifting FEEL and QUALITY BY FAR !!
Yea, my shifter doesn't have bump stops (yet) or a nice shiny, fat shifter base. But saving $160 for now can NOT be beat !!
Happy Modding!