I was wondering if the long shifter bothered anyone else? I'm over 6' tall and my leg rests on the shifter. Can it be cheaply replaced with a short shifter like in other years models?
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To bad that's not compatible. A bit pricy too. I was hoping to "just" unscrew the long one and screw in a smaller one.
I gave the shifter a twist the other day and it came off fairly easily. Unfortunately, the shaft itself goes really far into the shifter knob, so I don't think you could shorten it much just by replacing the knob. How easy it is to replace the shaft, I don't know. The threading looked like it was either 6mm (like the regular Prius) or 8mm (like most Toyotas) diameter though. I should probably measure it...
Interesting. Sounds like the shaft would need to be replaced then. If it can't unscrew easily, I'm "just guessing" it could be cut and then fit whatever "custom" knob I want to replace it with. Might actually be kinda neat... is that a bad idea?
Quick update: I compared the width of the shaft's threads to a common bic pen, which happens to be 8mm in diameter, and they were the same, which means I am 95% sure that the threads are the standard 8 x 1.25mm for Toyota (automatics), which opens up a lot of possibilities for replacement. As I mentioned earlier, I don't think replacing the knob will do much for the overall height. I measured it, and the stock shift knob threads almost all the way in, only adding about half an inch to the overall height. I don't think just cutting the shaft would be a terribly good idea, since you'd have to re-thread it too. Or just use some very strong adhesives with a new shift knob... But that's up to you. I tend to like easily reversible changes I ordered a "Razo RA119A" ($30) shift knob, just because I don't really like the look of the original. Will post pics when installed.
I'll be interested to see how this looks. I want to talk with my brother-in-law who is a wealth of information on this kind of stuff. I'd like to cut that down to size, and if he can give a knob on it, that's what I'm going to do.
My brother in law gave me his opinion on replacing the shifter. If the shifter isn't hollow, it can be done easily. We'll need to check with a parts department and report back.
i dont think cutting the rod would be all that bad. even if you mess you can easily buy the oem replacement or get the actual new shorter assembly
I happened on this thread and have a likely solution that might help. As a machinist, I have encountered this situation many times. You don't want to cut off the shaft before threading it further down its length. Starting new threads and staring them without getting them SKEWED when using a M8x1.25 die would be very hard a nearly impossible to do by hand. You need to extend the thread down the shaft before cutting it off. Get a good quality M8x1.25 die. HSS cost more, but it will cut better quality threads, since the shaft is likely case hardened. Also get a correct size die stock and some cutting fluid. Use a large sheet of plastic sheet and punch through it with the shaft the shifter. This will cover and protect the console from the cutting fluid and the shavings cut of with the treading die. Run the die down the threaded shaft reversing it clean and often to clean off the shavings. Stop when you get down to the length that you want. It is easier to cut off too little than too much. So start with a little and go slowly. Hope this helps, Rude person's
Just replacing the stock knob with a simple ball shortens the shifter by default. You can try that first. Here's a fancy cabinet knob redrilled and threaded M8x1.25:
McNally mCup from Amazon, $12.99. Works great if you don't mind losing a cup holder. Really secure though...
My dad had this saying every time he was cutting trim for the house. "I keep cutting it and cutting it... and it's still too short."
I used a dremmel to cut mine down after threading it down some 1st. Toped it off with a lucky 13 pool ball SGH-T889 ? 2
