How to remove the shift indicator?
- Thread starter BensonTT
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Ducmonsta
New member
Easy is a subjective term. I can pull off my control arms and rebuild them easily. But others may not think the same thing. If you've ever installed an aftermarket car stereo, you'll have no problems at all. There are several connectors underneath the console that you will have to unplug before completely removing it. They vary slightly from trim to trim.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Are you sure it's the shifter cover or the cable? You cab pop the covers off and disconnect the cable to the shifter to make sure the cable isn't binding.
BensonTT
New member
Its the shift cover.. The plastic thing beneath.. Its all out of place and makes it hard to shift.. The Toyota tech told me thats what I need to replace.. Do I have to remove the whole console to replace it? Is there a DIY somewhere on the interent?
Engineer
New member
*Edit Follow [MENTION=55815]Okki[/MENTION] Link below, I forgot about having to remove the Side trim as a 1st step 
*The hardest part will be getting over the feeling of breaking something when pulling the top of the console off. (assuming you have not worked with car plastic much).
1) Put the parking brake on and the car in neutral – This is optional but I find it’s easier to rotate the cover and get it out vs. in park.
2) Unscrew the shift lever with your hands
3) Unscrew the transfer case Shift lever with your hands (this may be a electric knob as I don’t see the model/make of your truck – if that’s the case I doubt you will have to take anything off except for unhooking the electrical connector once you pull the console cover off. - Follow link below
4) Pull the console cover off, this takes some force – if you have a narrow blade scraper and a towel or plastic pry bar that may make your life easier…..but honestly I just grab the edges and pull…….she comes up. Work your way around the edge, I find it easiest to start nearest the center arm rest on one side, then the other side then the rest comes up easy. Once free move to next step
5) Un plugg the wiring harness/connectors that go to the heated seats and transfer case actuator (reference step 3)
6) To completely remove the cover you have to rotate and angle it to get it to come out from between the center arm rest and the radio/ac center dash.
7) You now have access to the part you think needs cleaned/replaced.
Sorry I don’t have pictures and a better explanation, I know this is hard to follow but once you get in there it should make since.
*The hardest part will be getting over the feeling of breaking something when pulling the top of the console off. (assuming you have not worked with car plastic much).1) Put the parking brake on and the car in neutral – This is optional but I find it’s easier to rotate the cover and get it out vs. in park.
2) Unscrew the shift lever with your hands
3) Unscrew the transfer case Shift lever with your hands (this may be a electric knob as I don’t see the model/make of your truck – if that’s the case I doubt you will have to take anything off except for unhooking the electrical connector once you pull the console cover off. - Follow link below
4) Pull the console cover off, this takes some force – if you have a narrow blade scraper and a towel or plastic pry bar that may make your life easier…..but honestly I just grab the edges and pull…….she comes up. Work your way around the edge, I find it easiest to start nearest the center arm rest on one side, then the other side then the rest comes up easy. Once free move to next step
5) Un plugg the wiring harness/connectors that go to the heated seats and transfer case actuator (reference step 3)
6) To completely remove the cover you have to rotate and angle it to get it to come out from between the center arm rest and the radio/ac center dash.
7) You now have access to the part you think needs cleaned/replaced.
Sorry I don’t have pictures and a better explanation, I know this is hard to follow but once you get in there it should make since.
Last edited:
Details on how to take it apart (on a 2010 Limited) are in my build thread: CB installation here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/94578-okkis-build-thread-2.html#post1028183
It's not that big a deal... Don't forget to pick the son up a sippy cup though! :frisky:
Okki
It's not that big a deal... Don't forget to pick the son up a sippy cup though! :frisky:
Okki
Ducmonsta
New member
I actually removed the little black plastic "sliding cover" from the shifter. It was bent up and started clicking when I shifted. There is a 1/4" hole near the bottom of the shifter now but you can barely tell. I bet you can remove the cover and clean it up pretty well if it's just from the soda. Otherwise, I'd remove it.
