FX4 Level II w/3" body lift

[LGHTNG02GT]

now that i got my truck back from the dealer (it took a new torsen limited slip, that part lists for $1058 ) i'm taking on some of the smaller problems now and the 1st and foremost is the shifters and the bezel. I want to in the worst way to keep this truck as stock appearing as possible so i want anybody with information on how to keep the 3" body lift and make my shifters work with the stock boots/bezel to chime in with what you got (info/pointers/links or even better yet PICTURES )

what the PO did for the t-case shifter was took a piece of angle iron, trimmed off the one side and used that as an extension. the trouble is, with the way the guy did it, it puts the transfer case shifter entirely too close to the gear shifter so it creates a pinch point when you are in 4hi and 2nd gear. i'm relatively sure that is how the guy managed to bust my shift bezel. (good thing those bezels are discontinued, and even if you could get one, they list for $151. so yeah, that repair job i did with some mighty putty will be a story for another day)

so i went out, unbolted that and i'm considering running my t-case shifter in the stock position. i know the handle will be short but i kind of like that idea. just looking for insight as to how anyone gained all the needed clearance for everything to work correctly and still look stock.

&&BTW, anyone with a shifter extension on the M5od, did that seem to amplify transmission noise for you guys???

 

[Original_Ranger84]

With a body lift you won't be able to use the stock manual tcase shifter without modifying it. I just swapped in a manual tcase in my truck and I had to remove the 1" body lift because the shifter wouldn't have worked otherwise unless I modded it like the po of your truck did... and the shifter already sits very close to the other shifter in the stock positions.

 

[LGHTNG02GT]

well, after about 6 hours of messing with it, bolting stuff up, unbolting, moving, tweaking and some occasional trimming i got everything to fit and work properly. there is BARELY enough room for everything to fit in and have enough room during operation. i had to shave off some of the bezel and inside of the shift boots to have enough room for 2hi, 2nd gear and reverse. also, the floor section where the shifters come through had to be re-mounted. i had to shift the entire thing towards the drivers side and back about a 1/2 inch each way. also, the tunnel had to have a bit removed to be able to get in 4lo. after that, it was just down to trimming up the bezel and the plastic 'ribs' inside the bottom of the shift boots. i still have the shift extension on the gear shift but as for the t-case, i was able to use the stock stuff in the stock position.

still would like to see/hear what any other guys with an FX4 lvl 2 body lift did when it came time to put the shift boots/trim all back together.