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Shifter Removal How-To 3 Part with Pictures

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5.4K views 4 replies 2 participants last post by  AlexMan  
#1 · (Edited)
Hello! I wanted to add a Leather wrapped shift to my 2003 Base Highlander to match my Leather steering wheel. However in my research I couldn't find a way to swap out the shifter without removing the shifter base. After some trial and error I found what I believe is the easiest, and closest to being the correct way I could find.
You'll need:
1:Small flat head screw driver.
2 Philips Screw Driver.
3:Scissors.
4:Heat shrink, Lighter.
5: 20 Minutes of free time. 👐
Part 1
With the parking brake set and the car off, remove the emergency shift buttons cover.
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Then push the shifter into L on the gear select.
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With the shifter in L push the plastic shifter base down toward the base, it should unclip and revealing 2 set screws.
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Now remove the set screws. With the screws now removed it's time to removed the shifting button, use a small screw driver to pry the button out while supporting the other side of the button.
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Once the button is removed you'll find 1 screw that holds the plastic face to the shifter.
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Once you remove that screw the face should lift out with a bit of prying. (You dont need to remove the OD button, I only did because I was learning how to tear this down.)
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Now cut the 2 wires with plenty of room on each side to splice them back together. (Your OD connector should still have the OD button attached.)
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This is the end of part 1.
 

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#2 · (Edited)
Part 2
Wires cut.
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Now with the wires cut, the shifter nob should pull straight out.
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New install the shifter base first, ensuring that the base is in the correct position as it cannot be altered after installation.
(The shifter base shown is from the base model as the chome was peeling.)
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Now you can splice the OD wires together.
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(With the car OFF test the OD button)
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Now you can reinstall the shifter face with the single screw, don't over tighten because the OD button gets squished and wont work.
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Now to install the shifter button the shift nob must be moved up to clear the shifting "Rod" that moves up and down when the button is pressed.
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From the pictures you can see the white shaft that's on the bottom of the opening, when the set screws are in place the shaft hits the top of the shift nob, so keep the set screws removed for now.

Next order of business is to reinstall the button. With the sping in this orientation shown.
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To install the button slide the spring and button assembly into the shifter until you hear a click.
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Now the button is successfully installed. Don't worry if it feels loose, once the set screws are installed any sloppiness goes away.
End of part 2
 

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