FX4 shifter swap

Difficulty: 1 out of 10

Time to install: ~30 minutes


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Brief Explanation:

I got an FX4 shifter today to replace the stock shifter in my 2010 Sport. I noticed there wasn't too much online about the process of doing the swap, I did find a very short video about taking apart a Ranger shifter which did help since I've never done this before, and by no means am I a mechanic. So I thought I'd take a few pictures and write this up to help anyone else who wants to do the swap but isn't sure what to expect.


Tools Needed:
- Phillips screwdriver
- T30 screwdriver

Parts Needed:
- New shifter



Heres what I started with:

There are two screws under the boot that you have to take out that I circled in red.

Pull the cupholders out of there and you well notice on the shifter there is a bolt with a nut on it, unscrew the nut and give the bolt a tap and it well come out. Pull up on the shifter to remove it.

Now at this point(didn't think of this while I was doing it) I'm pretty sure the FX4 shifter well just fit onto the stock one which would save some time instead of doing what I did...Taking it completly apart.

Four more screws on the plastic part that you well have to remove to pull the plastic off.

To take out the next part you need a T30 screwdriver. There are 3 screws to take out and then simply pull up on the shifter and it well pop right out.

Like this:


Then to instal the FX4 shifter just reverse the steps. But like I said before I'm pretty sure the last two steps you don't have to do becuase the FX4 shifter should just fit where the stock one did. I just wish I thought of that before I went nuts and took it all apart.

Here is my new FX4 shifter

I gotta ask is the shifter ball on the FX4 threaded? If so what is the thread type and size?

I haven't taken the ball off. But looking at it I'd say its threaded. Ill find out what size wrench it uses tomorrow for you and take a picture of the threads.

Airmaster said:

I gotta ask is the shifter ball on the FX4 threaded? If so what is the thread type and size?

Click to expand...

Metric M12 x 1.75

I don't mean to pick on the OP but you can really screw up the shifter bolt by tapping it out. Sometimes those suckers are reeeaaly tight in there. You need to remove the nut, thread it onto the shorter threaded section on the opposite side and tighten it. Pulls the bolt right out.

hondaxr650 said:

I don't mean to pick on the OP but you can really screw up the shifter bolt by tapping it out. Sometimes those suckers are reeeaaly tight in there. You need to remove the nut, thread it onto the shorter threaded section on the opposite side and tighten it. Pulls the bolt right out.

Click to expand...

I appreciate it. I'd rather you tell me so I (or anyone else) dont make the same mistake.

Nice job, and thanks for sharing.

2 questions:

) Do you find the new FX4 version gives you shorter, crisper throws?

) Where'd you get that sexy thaaang, and how much $$ ??

Thanks in advance...

1 - No, but I believe the Hurst one does?
2 - I got it off Kijiji(pretty much a Canadian version of Craigslist) for $50