[malibu4runner]

Can the tall/awkward shiftknob be replaced in the 1999 2WD automatic? It has the button to shift gears as well as the OD or ECTpwr button - but - I'd forego the extra OD button in lieu of a smaller more sporty shifter.

The TRD shifter doesn't look like it's supposed to go in the 4Runner. Does anyone have any info? I've googled until my eyes bled and searched the entire forum!

Thanks to all who can help and/or post pics!!!

[Expat]

Sorry, no help to your question but.....by your username, do you actually hang out at Malibu in CA?

PS welcome to the forum.

[malibu4runner]

Yeah I'm a senior at Pepperdine University here in Malibu. With a 2WD 4Runner I don't do much, if any, offroading around here though. Thanks for the welcome too.


Hopefully somone out there can give me a hand on what can be done to change the big t-grip shifter.

Thanks!

[8084Runner]

i'm almost sure Levoc makes a shifter you can replace with the stock one. i had a 98 altima with the same style shifter as the 4runner, i changed it to the Levoc one and it looked so much nicer. It's more sportier, plus you can buy the one with the o/d button for a little more. but then again, you can go cheaper and make your own o/d button somewhere else...maybe on the dash some where.


there are a lot of sites that sell these and other brands, and probably you local shop will have them too.

hope this helps.

[malibu4runner]

Does anyone have suggestions other than Levoc? I can't be the only one out there with the same concern!!

Thanks !!

[RonMAIDEN]

There just isn't a market for the older gen shifter replacement. Any that are out there are going to be far and inbetween.

[malibu4runner]

Originally posted by RonMAIDEN
There just isn't a market for the older gen shifter replacement. Any that are out there are going to be far and inbetween.

So then could I just use ANY aftermarket shifter with an o/d button on it?

(assuming that it fits in the first place...)

[malibu4runner]

Sweet avatar by the way Ron! I gotta figure out how to do those animated .gif files!

[Inoahguy]

Bumping all these years later to see if anyone has any knowledge? I’m looking for some little upgrades in the cabin to modernize the interior a little and a cooler shift knob would be rad.

[gruenegenes]

The button on top of my shifter broke off. Not doing anything weird, just broke and flew off. I’ve learned that for the 3rd gen’s the 4WD have the tall vertical handle with the button on top and the 2WD have the T handle with button on side. I couldn’t find a replacement online so went to junkyard today. Didn’t have any 4Runners that would work, but it appears the older Camrys have the T shifter that looks like it will work. I bought one of those and will try it. It’s gray leather (or vinyl) so I’ll need to figure out how to die it black. If anybody knows where I can buy a replacement for the 4WD shifter I’d appreciate it.

[gruenegenes]

The shifter lever in the 4Runner is shorter than the camry so the camry T handle won’t fit unless I put some kind of spacer inside the handle. The dealer has it for $160 - not interested. I found a couple of shifter assemblies on eBay for around $100, but all I want is the handle. Haven't decided I’m going to do yet…..

[gruenegenes]

I’ll make one last post in case someone 10 years from now has my same, weird problem. I just needed to replace the shift button. Mine broke and flew off - don’t ask me why. I removed the overdrive button from the junkyard shift handle (it just pops out) and behind it is a small metal pin that holds the shifter button in place. I pulled the pin out with small needlenose pliers and the button slid out the top. I did the same thing to remove the broken button on my 4Runner and slid the junkyard button in from the top, held it down and slid the metal pin back in. Popped on the OD button. 2 minutes tops.

[3rdGenBestGen]

Actually in the middle of changing the T shifter in my 98/2WD with the pistol grip from a 99 4WD, Ive hammered the plastic internals from the 4WD loose and now I’m working on getting the pin from my shifter out. This is a pain but beauty is just that or so they say. I still need to trim the shift arm and sand, going to try my luck with self tapping screws as well.