- B&M Megashifter Installation -
Although I like the stock shifter, I wanted something a
little different. I was thinking about the Hurst Duel Gate shifter but I liked
the way the ratchet shifter looked… I read mixed reviews about it. Mainly that
it was a PITA to install. 
B&M
shifter. (I have to clean my carpets
from all the get in/out work lol)
MY
INSTRUCTIONS ARE MENT AS A GUIED TO BE USED WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT SHOULD
BE GIVEN WITH THE KIT. FAILURE TO ADJUST SOMETHING PROPERLY CAN DAMADGE YOUR
SHIFTER, CABLE, TRANNY. IF YOU DAMAGE
SOMETHING I AM NOT RESPONCIBAL FOR YOUR ERRORS. TAKE TOUR TIME. DON’T RUSH.
The first
step that needs to be done is to remove the blocker pin so the shifter will
work for 4-speed operation if needed. If you have a 3 speed leave it in… simple
as that. The instructions cover this pretty well.
It’s
easiest to install the micro switches now rather then later in the
assembly. They are the neutral safety
and backup light switches. Use two #4-40 x 1 screws and nuts… be careful over
tightening the bolts can cause the switches to crack… if you look closely you
will see little bumps on the wall of the shifter. Those trigger the switches.
To adjust them loosen the nuts and re-tighten.
The next
step is to remove the stock shift knob. The instructions say this can be done
by just pulling on the detent button and removing a snap ring…although my whole
knob just came off.
Remove the
shifter plate or top counsel by removing the 6 screws. Now disconnect the 2 cables to the stock
shifter… the one on the left is the shift cable and the one on the right is the
park lock cable. Remove the wire harness too. The park lock cable has to be
wired so it will stay in the farthest position forward. (Fully in)(Where it is
in park)
Then unbolt
the 5 screws (1 on each side, 1 in the middle rear) save them you will need to
reuse them later.
Remove the
cable bracket and the selector lever from the tranny with the tranny bolts that
hold it there.
The bracket
holds the cable the lever is what attaches to the tranny.
(pic a little ahead)
Remove the
stock cable. Then install the rear-mounting bracket on the floor. Then bolt the
front mounting bracket on the shifter. Place the shifter on the mounting
brackets and loosely tighten the shifter down. Then you will need to make marks
on the floor using the slots for the front mounting bracket. Then remove the
shifter and drill holes where u marked. (9/32”)
Rear mounting bracket slots
that you mark. Notice the mounting plate for the cable make sure he tab on the cable is on the
backside of it.
Marks I
made mounting plate see above pic.
After
drilling you will install the new B&M cable supplied. The instructions give u a good diagram if u
need further help. The cable attachment tab should be bolted to the outside of
the surface of the shifter base by using the 1/4’ x 1/2’ bolt with a 1/4’ lock
washer and nut… then secure the cable to the shifter cable pin with a E-clip.
You can see
the mounting pin above the switches.
Ok B&M
cable is about 2 feet longer then the stock shifter cable is. I don’t know why
it’s so long.
Feed the
cable into the hole. You will need to install the indicator cable on to the
shifter with an E-clip with the two #6 x3/8” sheet metal screws. Set the
shifter plate to the side. Then install
the shifter with the bolts…
Make sure
you DO NOT KINK THE CABLE… if you do u WILL RUIN IT!! … I don’t know how to get
the doughnut thing off so I used a razor and cut it off, it’s just rubber. Re
installs it with the new shift cable.
Cable
through hole with doughnut. Shifter mounted the bracket
Again DON’T
KINK THE CABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now install
the selector lever onto the tranny using the stock bolt tighten to 23 ft.
lbs. Then install the cable bracket. It
must be installed with the spacers between the pan and bracket. Install it with
the two 5/16x1.00” bolts given and torque them to 12-12 ft. lbs.
Selector
lever cable bracket (this pic is a little ahead)
You will
need to route the cable like the one shown in figure #4 of the instructions… to
give you an idea here is a picture below.
Now there
is two little rubber boots and a nut and lock washer on the tranny cable. Your
will need to remove them to slide the cable through the hole of the cable
bracket. Install the large nut and lock
washer loosely. Then re-install the boots onto the front of the cable. Take the
swivel piece and screw it on to the end of the cable. Make sure u center it
between the threaded areas.
Large nuts
and lock washer to adjust cable
Picture of swivel
Now move
the tranny selector to the rear position (all the Back or low gear.) Move the shifter all the way to the low gear
also. Now you will need to adjust the
large bolts so the black swivel will fit in and out of the forward hole
smoothly.
Now counter
lock the bolts together. THE SHIFTER
CAN CAUSE DAMAGE IF NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY…TAKE YOUR TIME. IT CAN ALSO BE
DAMAGED BY NOT USING THE FRONT HOLE.
Leave the swivel out of the whole and move the selector lever back to
park (all the way forward). Move the shifter back to park too. Put the swivel
into the front hole in the lever. If you did it right it should slide in
smoothly, if not re-adjust the cable.
Remove the swivel again and go back to low gear… Move the ratchet to low
gear again… check to see if the swivel slides in the hole again. Do this to all
the gears and DON’T forget to move the shifter too.
Finally put
the shifter in park and the selector lever. If everything is good, all you got
to do now it put the swivel in the whole and install the cotter pin and bend
the prongs apart.
Hey now,
guess what? You are done with being under the car.J
Time for
wiring, the instructions say to remove the negative battery cable and cut the
wiring harness… I choose not to. If you do want to cut it, follow the
instructions. I simply got connectors that fit in the prongs and wired
extension wires to it. You would need to extend the wires about 6in. Also you will need to purchase a radio shack
relay for around 10$, part #275-206 this must be used for torque converter
lockup. There is a good wiring diagram on the back of the instructions…it’s
probably easier to understand then me using up 3 more pages to tell about it.
So use the instructions!!!! Make sure u wire everything correctly. When I did mine my reverse lights work
correctly but my car started in gear… so ill have to make some adjustments to
the switch.
To help a
little ill try to explain the diagram..
wire A (BLK WHT)
goes to pin #5
Wire B (ORNG BLK)
goes to Pin #9
Wire C ( DRK BLU)
goes to both micro switches. then from the 2nd prong on the lower, that goes to
Pin #13
Wire D (LT GRN)
goes to upper switch
Wire E
(PURPLE) Goes to pin #12
Wire F
( Yellow) goes to pin #8
Then Pin #14 goes to a ground
Cut old
bulb assembly and wire it with the new one.
Now to vent
your frustrations… u need to remove the shift indicator assembly off of the
shifter plate. I used a hot razor. Now there is a template included in the kit
to cut the stock shift plate. Yes you
ARE cutting the stock shifter plate! Mine was already cracked a little so I
figured what the hell, ill just pick a new one off of E-bay if needed. If you
do crack yours again when cutting simply use some super glue to fix it. If u have a keyhole saw or something that
would work well.
Modified
shifter plate.
Feed the
B&M cover plate through the stock one.
Install the light bulb in the socket on the cover plate. Snap the correct cover plate in the shift
counsel. (P R N D 3 2 1)
Then bolt
everything down. Slide the boot over everything and fit it in, it is labeled
“front” Install the T handle and the jam nut. Adjust to your liking. Make sure u put some grease or something on
the threads because they can strip out easy.
Go over the instructions and make sure u did not forget anything. Remember to do some routine maintenance that’s
it … when done have fun.
Here is a
start and finish comparison.
Stock
B&M
Now pat
yourself on the back and eat some rice.
-Alex Calder
(Ieatrice4dinner)