Another B&M Review

[mopar_mudder]

Put in my B&M shifter finally. First thing is that the rubber boot the bolts down to the floor doesn't fit well over the top of the B&M's higher base. The right rear corner of the boot wont go tight to the floor, I may pull it back apart and do some modifing. Also the bolts that bolt the shift lever on, had to grind them off to try and keep them from punching through the side of the leather top boot.

I mounted the lever at the lowest setting, it sits a little below the level of the councel when it is down, but it is still fine to drive with the councel down.

the stock lever had a through of 5.5" from front to back (3rd to 4th). the B&M in the lowest setting is 3.5", so that is a 2" gain, not bad.

The drive, I didn't do much, just a quick run to the store. You can hear the difference in the noise when you start it up, but it is not terriable, I can live with it. The 1-2 shift is very nice and close, quick. 3rd is not bad, still a little notchy feeling like you have to "wait" for it to fall in. That is kinda what I expected, it is the design of the trans and no shifter is going to fix that. Personaly I never had a problem with the stock shifter so I not seeing any huge improvent other then the shifts are closer which can speed things up. As far as driving it does take more effort to drive because of the stronger centering springs and the fact that you have less leverage for the shifts. So I guess I like it but I am not blown away by it either.

 

[vvv90]

Put in my B&M shifter finally. First thing is that the rubber boot the bolts down to the floor doesn't fit well over the top of the B&M's higher base. The right rear corner of the boot wont go tight to the floor, I may pull it back apart and do some modifing. Also the bolts that bolt the shift lever on, had to grind them off to try and keep them from punching through the side of the leather top boot.

That's odd...Mine bolted right in. No problem with the boot, no needing to grind any bolts, they fell right in, and no problem with the bolts under the leather shift boot.... :dontknow:

You can hear the difference in the noise when you start it up, but it is not terriable, I can live with it.

It actually quiets down over a little driving time. I do notice though that if the tranny is hot (like today at 89 degrees in traffic) it will start to make more noise.

3rd is not bad, still a little notchy feeling like you have to "wait" for it to fall in. That is kinda what I expected, it is the design of the trans and no shifter is going to fix that.

I've found that too. I don't miss but there's still hesitation before it engages. Even under some force. I have heard that it's not the transmission, it's the laziness of the stock hydraulics. I can't wait to upgrade to a Viper slave/master with a Centerforce and see how it performs.

it does take more effort to drive because of the stronger centering springs and the fact that you have less leverage for the shifts. So I guess I like it but I am not blown away by it either.

It will also loosen up a little over time. It took both my arms to get it into reverse the first time. It was so bad I didn't think I could live with it. For some reason it barely takes any effort now.

 

[94rt10ohio]

I also did not have issue with the rubber boot. As for the bolts, that should also not be an issue. There is a sleeve on the stock shifter that you should slide down onto the new shifter to cover these bolts before you put the outter boot back on. You should not cut or grind the bolts that holds the handle on. It came with nylon locking nuts to put on the backside of those bolts to keep the bolts from working loose. Would not want to shift and the handle come loose

This sleeve I talk about it taken off in step 2 below. Put back on in step 13.

 

[94rt10ohio]

This is a DIY I wrote up on this. I just never posted here as the DIY section is for contributing members only, so why should I give DIY's if I can not benefit from the others?

2004/2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 B&M shifter install
(Note, 2006 will be the same with the exception of removing the console)

Parts purchased
B&M short throw shifter, $220 shipped via EBay.

1. Unscrew the shifter knob and knob stop.
2. Using a 3/16" allen or 4MM allen socket remove the silver ring that holds the boot to the console, then remove the boot and boot cover that is over the shifter handle bolts.
3. Remove rubber pads on the cup holders. Under are three screws, using a 7MM socket remove the screws then remove the console. There will be a wire attached to the cigarette lighter, it will pull out of the console.
4. Using a 7MM socket remove the rubber boot.
5. Using a 7/32" allen or 8MM allen socket remove the 4 bolts holding the shifter on. Make sure the shifter is in N, then pull the shifter out. It will be stuck and will need some "persuasion".
6. Clean any sealant off the transmission where the shifter attaches to the tranny. I used a putty knife and rag.
7. Use the supplied gasket and bolts to attach the new shifter to the tranny. You will need a 7/32" allen or 8MM allen socket.
8. At this point you want to attach the shifter handle and make sure you can shift into all gears freely. Once you have tested this remove the shifter handle.
9. Using a 7MM socket reinstall the rubber boot to the floor of the truck that you removed in step 4.
10. At this point take the time to vacuum the carpet where the center console goes.
11. Re-install the center console removed in step 3 using a 7MM socket put the three screws back in. Do not forget to re-attach the wire to the cigarette lighter.
12. Install the shifter handle. It has multiple positions to adjust height. At the highest setting it will be 1/4" lower than stock and for every position down you go you will be an additional 3/4" lower. Use a 3/16" allen or 4MM allen socket to attach the handle. Then using a 13MM wrench or deep socket put the lock nuts on the bolts, this is to prevent the bolts from working loose, do not forget this!!
13. Re-install the boot that goes over the shifter handle bolts taken off in step 2.
14. Re-install the shifter boot, then re-install the silver ring, both removed in step 2. This will require a 3/16" allen or 4MM allen. Do not tighten these screws too much!
15. Re-install the knob and knob stop. You can use a 9/16" wrench to adjust the stop.

Clean up and you are done!!

This is an easy install, if you can handle a screwdriver you can do this install with ease.

 

[mopar_mudder]

Even with the sleve on you could see the bolts trying to poke the shifter boot. I ground them off flush with the nut and all is good, they are not coming out. If I mounted the shift lever on the passange side of the shaft this probably wouldn't be a problem.

On the rubber boot I had to stretch it around the front passanger side bolt that hold the shifter to the trany, you can see the bolt head pushing up through the rubber. This made it hard to line up the bolt holes in the rubber boot. The back passange corner of the boot is up off the floor problaby 1/4", I asume is is resting on the back passanger shifter bolt. It is very hard to see back in their because the carpet is over the top of all the rear bolts and just a pain to get at. I may take it back apart just to see, the carpet was getting the best of me and I was in a hurry.

 

[kcsr]

That's odd...Mine bolted right in. No problem with the boot, no needing to grind any bolts, they fell right in, and no problem with the bolts under the leather shift boot.... :dontknow:

same here - no problems with mine.

 

[Django]

Thanks for all the info, guys........

D

 

[thjones3]

Thanks! Mine should be arriving today