How to Replace a 1978 Ford Truck's Shifter

The transmission shifter in a 1978 Ford truck mounts inside the steering column just in front of the steering wheel. The shifter handle protrudes from the side of the steering column, allowing you to shift gears easily without moving your hands too far from the wheel. The shifter connects to a shift cable that runs down to the transmission shift selector. If the shifter breaks, you won't have the ability to shift gears on your 1978 Ford truck. Anyone with basic auto-repair experience and about 30 minutes of free time can replace a 1978 Ford truck's shifter.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• Trim tool
• Small vise grips

Instructions

1. Remove the two screws holding the F-150's clamshell trim to the steering column. The clamshell is the semi-circular trim collar covering the top of the steering column. Pry the clamshell off the steering column with your trim tool.

2. Depress the F-150's brake pedal with your foot. Turn the ignition to the run position by hand. Move the shifter into neutral by hand.

3. Clamp the vise grips onto the shift cable where it connects to the shifter. Move the shifter arm, back to the park position. Lift the shifter cable out of the shifter by hand.

4. Remove the mounting screws holding the shifter in place using your Phillips screwdriver. Remove the F-150's shifter by hand.

5. Screw the F-150's new shifter to the steering column with your Phillips screwdriver. Place the end of the shifter cable in the new shifter; this may require moving the shifter to neutral to provide you with enough slack.

6. Remove the vise grips from the shifter cable. Reinstall the clamshell trim in reverse of how you removed it.

References

• "Ford Pick-ups and Bronco 1973 thru 1979: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 1979