JK Wrangler Short-Throw Shifter Install DIY

This DIY write-up will walk you through installing a short-throw shifter in your Jeep Wrangler.

The manual transmission in the Jeep JK Wrangler has a great deal of travel between the gears while also occasionally popping out of gear when off-roading. Fortunately, both of those problems can be addressed by installing an aftermarket short-throw shifter and NWHONEYBADGER put together a great step-by-step DIY to walk owners through the swap.

The Introduction

Before the OP got into his DIY write-up, he explained the advantage of swapping to a short-throw shifter in the JK Wrangler. This information pertains specifically to the B&M Precision SportShifter that he was installing, but all-in-all, this information applies to all JK-generation Jeeps and all quality short-throw shifter assemblies. He obviously copied the information from B&M, but it is sums up the details on this swap.

B&M Racing introduces the new Precision SportShifter for 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK models equipped with the NSG370 6-speed manual transmission. The unit features a cnc billet aluminum case with an electric blue anodized finish which houses internal components made from super tough 4140 chromoly. The shift throw has been reduced by 35% over the factory shifter along with the detent pressure which has been significantly increased creating a noticeably stiffer shift feel. This was done to address problems with the softness of the factory shifter detent springs which easily pop out of gear while off-roading. The shifter uses the factory shift stick and knob, however a new B&M shift handle is also in the works that will accept a variety of traditional threaded knobs. B&M Racing is the first and only company to address the JK’s need for an upgraded manual shifter option. Made in the USA and supported by a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

The DIY

The Wrangler short-throw shifter install DIY written up by NWHONEYBADGER is just 12 steps, starting with the removal of the stock shift knob, the console around the shifter and the shift boot. He explains how to remove the upper portion of the shifter, which is reused with the B&M shifter along with the factory shift knob, before heading down under the vehicle.

Once underneath the Wrangler, he removes the transfer case skid plate and the crossmember under the transmission, allowing easier access to the insulation donut between the floor and the stock shifter. After that, it is time to remove the stock shifter and bolt in the B&M unit with the insulation donut.

From there, it is just a matter of buttoning everything up, including the crossmember and skidplate under the vehicle along with all of the shifter and console components on the inside.

Finally, to best exhibit the function of the new shifter, the OP made the video below, showing the movement of the stock shifter and the B&M unit in the JK Wrangler.

Click here to check out the DIY in the forum!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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