DIY: TWM Short Shifter and Leather Shifter Boot
 

I recently bought a TWM Short Shifter and TWM leather shifter boot for my Z.

Here is a DIY write-up for installation. Rep's are appreciated if you like the write-up.

Fancy packaging from TWM

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IMG_4309 by J M Gale, on Flickr

A peek at what is inside

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IMG_4310 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Before, stock set-up

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IMG_4304 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Removal of the stock shifter knob. I'm using a strap wrench, you could also use a piece of radiator hose with vice grips. I think Nissan used a whole bottle of glue to secure my factory shifter knob.

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IMG_4315 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Stock shifter knob removed in mint condition,

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IMG_4316 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Pull up the rear of the trim around the shifter to remove,

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IMG_4317 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Use a small screwdriver to unplug wire harness,

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IMG_4318 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Remove these two screws then pull on side knee pads to remove,

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IMG_4320 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4319 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Remove 2 screws to loosen the front of the console,

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IMG_4323 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Remove two screws (one on each side) at rear of console so console can be pushed back to access bolts of metal shifter surround,

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IMG_4322 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Remove 4 bolts to remove metal shifter surround,

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IMG_4325 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4324 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Metal surround is removed, next remove rubber,

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IMG_4326 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4328 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Reverse lock-out plate, time to remove three bolts that hold this on,

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IMG_4330 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4332 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Place the shifter in 5th gear. Crawl under car, move rubber dust boot to access 12mm bolt holding the shifter linkage and shifter together,

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IMG_4333 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Stock shifter is out,

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IMG_4335 by J M Gale, on Flickr

This is what you're left with in the car, waiting for new shifter,

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IMG_4334 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Comparison, TWM left, stock right,

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IMG_4337 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4341 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Use a vice and a dead blow hammer to remove stock shifter from plastic cup,

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IMG_4340 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Grease new shifter and re-grease plastic cup,

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IMG_4342 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4343 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Push new shifter into plastic cup,

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IMG_4344 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Burr on spacer,

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IMG_4346 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Burr removed,

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IMG_4347 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Install spacer,

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IMG_4348 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4349 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Reinstall spring,

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IMG_4350 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4351 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Install top spacer,

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IMG_4352 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4353 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Place shifter assembly in car,

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IMG_4354 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Reinstall reverse lock-out plate, make sure to leave bolts loose so you can make adjustments later,

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6115/6...81b3c4fe_b.jpg
IMG_4355 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4356 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Bushings to be installed under the car on the bottom side of the shifter,

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6...092a9e33_b.jpg
IMG_4357 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4358 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4359 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Hook up linkage and install 12mm bolt,

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6225/6...e31339df_b.jpg
IMG_4360 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Now this was the hardest part of the whole install. Reinstalling the rubber dust boot. You need to work around the driveshaft and try to seat this back into a thin metal groove. This took me the longest to do, reminded me of the Demon bolts! My only suggestion, start from the front of the car and try to stretch the back of the boot to fit, hopefully the rest will fall into place,

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/6...47a5c12d_b.jpg
IMG_4361 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Back in the car. Make sure the shifter is in 5th gear and is touching the reverse lock-out plate. Tighten bolts when you are satisfied with the fitment,

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IMG_4362 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4364 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Start putting it all back together,

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IMG_4365 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Shifter boot comparison, stock left, TWM leather boot right,

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IMG_4366 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Remove the six screws and remove the stock boot,

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IMG_4367 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4368 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4369 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Reverse the process and install the new boot,

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IMG_4371 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4377 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Ready to be installed,

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IMG_4378 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Finished with the stock shifter knob,

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IMG_4382 by J M Gale, on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6237/6...05053a5f_b.jpg
IMG_4381 by J M Gale, on Flickr

Finished with the Nismo Titanium shifter knob,

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6046/6...8b5448a0_b.jpg
IMG_4387 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4385 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4394 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4390 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4386 by J M Gale, on Flickr

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IMG_4388 by J M Gale, on Flickr

This isn't necessarily on my list of things to do but.......
What a great write up! +1

awesome write up, any issues with vibrations or engaging reverse (or other gears)
+1 also

Thank you! :tup:

I don't have any problems engaging any gears, shifts actually feel less notchy, reverse is no problem either. I don't have any vibrations or rattling either.

Honestly if I had any issues with an aftermarket part I wouldn't spend this much time on a post for it. lol

Thanks for the compliment on the write-up!

Very nice write up Gale. I plan on doin the same short shift set up eventually:tup: I think Im gonna go with the M1 Abrams knob from TWM.

Thanks!

The Abrams is a nice one, I also like the Big Type-R. I normally drive with my hand on the top of the stock shifter knob so if I can't get used to / don't like the Nismo, I'll get one of those two TWM shift knobs.

:tup: I repped ya, cant add a comment from my phone though. The blank rep is mine.

Sweet! You'll always be known to me as the blank rep'er... :rofl2:

Really nice!

Nice write up! I will be doing this mod next.

Repped! Great DIY.

Your DIY makes it look real simple

Thanks!

You'll like it. The nice thing is you don't need to grind/modify any parts on the car like some other short shifters.

Thank-you Sir! :tiphat:

It really is that simple. Installation could be done in less than an hour, easy. Like my write-up says, the hardest part is getting the rubber dust cover under the car to fit properly again.

I had fun doing this write-up, I need to do another... maybe a supercharger or turbo...

Great write up! One question though...i've had some not so great experiences before with SS its that make daily driving a hassle at times. Is this "tolerable"....i don't know if i am making myself clear but my past SS kit was a pain to make some "smooth" shifts.

Very nice write up. I normally would not tackle a feat like this, but your write up and detailed step by step instructions make it look easy.