How to: Install/ Remove gear select changer for auto trans

[vnberlwagon]

I changed gear selector today in my VN, old handle keeps on breaking, so changed whole thing to a VT set up. Quite easy to do about an hours work.
Tools required: Medium sized phillips head s/driver, pop rivet gun, alum. rivets (4.8mm diam 9.6mm grip), 13mm ring spanner or 13mm socket&wrench.

1. Remove centre console setup surrounding gear selector taking care to correctly remove gear selection plate(gear numbers&letters) easily snapped.
2. Remove main body of centre console, screws located at bottom of console box, take care to unplug power window wires u/neath console as you don't get much slack in wiring, main wiring plugs are located at top end of console.
3. Once console is removed drill out the 8 existing pop rivets, I used 5mm steel drill bit, don't use drill bit normally used for timber as they are not strong/sharp enough.
4. Jack up car and place axle stands on both sides of vehicle behind front wheels. Slide under car with 13mm ring spanner or 13mm socket&wrench and undo nut holding selector arm and rod located behind transmission crossmember.
5. You may have to work the old selector unit back & forth to remove it as it will have remnants of body deadener attached.
6. Once old unit is out place new unit in and check that holes line up then climb back under car and re-attach selector arm and rod, then you can re-jack up car and remove axle stands.
7. The reason I chose aluminium rivets over steel or stainless steel ones is that stainless steel rivets are extremely difficult to use unless you have a pneumatic(air) rivet gun, steel rivets are easier but rust, aluminium don't rust, are easier to use in a hand riveter and will do the job.
8. Replacing the console is fairly straight forward just the reverse of removal. I haven't replaced mine yet as I am planning on painting it along with doing up the dash.
I hope this will make the job easier for anybody planning to do the same, if there are any questions I will do my best to answer them correctly. Good luck

[90VN55]

have u got a pic of it finished (dont care if center console isnt on)