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Got a call from Dodge after ai did my survey.

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mantis

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
What's up everyone,
The customer support team is offering to swap out the stupid shift knob for an actual shifter. Has anyone else complained about it? I laid into them a bit on my survey and gave very high ratings on the rest of the truck. Honestly it's the only thing about the truck I don't like and the new 18 models are going back to a shifter. I'm sure I can't be the only person to complain about it because they called me, I'm on hold right now and she is calling Reedman's to see what can be done to swap out the Knob to an actual shifter. This is crazy right?

If you where offered this would you take it?
 
#3 ·
ekaz said:
I'm curious if it could actually be done. We know the shift module is different but wonder if it still plugs into the harness the same and the tcm programming is the same. Definitely interested.
Click to expand...
Since these modern transmissions are shifted electrically, rather than using real mechanical linkage (at least, to the shifter), I have no doubt you could theoretically plug any form factor of electric switch array you wanted into the shifter's socket and have it work fine. I'd personally love to see someone mod an old '64 Dodge Dart's "Torque-Flite" push-button panel to shift a modern Dodge tranny, because that is totally do-able.

Due to my interest in all things electronic, I've done silly modifications like this to everything from TV sets to CB radios (I modded a LOT of CB's back during the 'craze' of the 70's).
Ah yes -- Those good ol Upd858 phase lock loop chips! Those were fun. :cool:
.
 
#4 ·
I would have to take a hard look @ just grabbing a '17 off the lot vs. ordering an '18 if they were to really offer the T-shifter as some sort of no-charge retrofit.
Doubt they would actually do that tho !! Would mean dropping in the new shifter + replacing the console trim, would think that is pretty pricey !!
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
Well they are not going to do it. I don't know why they called me and talked about the Survey only to let me down. They called Reedmans to see if this can be done and they said they can't do it.
 
#6 ·
If they don't change up the console area much between the 17 and the 18, I'd be willing to bet the options for a retrofit will expand a bit as the 18s get more street time. You'll need to remove that whole segment, so the shifter has somewhere to go.

Just don't let someone put in one of those digital shifters that FCA had recently, like the one that killed Scotty.
 
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#7 ·
mantis said:
Well they are not going to do it. I don't know why they called me and talked about the Survey only to let me down. They called Reedmans to see if this can be done and they said they can't do it.
Click to expand...
You seriously though they would replace it just because you think the rotary shifter is "stupid" and you don't like it? Sorry, mate but I had a good and long laugh after reading your post. And hey, guess what, some folks here actually do like it!
 
#9 ·
I don't see what all the fuss is over a "different" shifter configuration.
With shifters on the floor, the dash, the column and push buttons, on the dash and steering column center, etc., it's just a styling exercise.

I wouldn't change if they offered it. Don't see the need to change.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Szy_szka said:
You seriously though they would replace it just because you think the rotary shifter is "stupid" and you don't like it? Sorry, mate but I had a good and long laugh after reading your post. And hey, guess what, some folks here actually do like it!
Click to expand...
Well lets look at the facts.
Dodge called me after reading my survey. The Lady on the phone asked me if I would like the shifter knob swapped out for a T shifter if it could be done at my local dealer? I said sure. She said I will call them and see if that is a possibility. After she got off the phone with the dealer they said the shifter is electronic and it can't be done.

If they where going to do it I would have allowed it and been happy to see the stupid thing go.
Someone on here did it themselves and I'm gonna look for that thread and see what it takes to do it myself.
 
#11 ·
ekaz said:
I'm curious if it could actually be done. We know the shift module is different but wonder if it still plugs into the harness the same and the tcm programming is the same. Definitely interested.
Click to expand...
NumberThree said:
Since these modern transmissions are shifted electrically, rather than using real mechanical linkage (at least, to the shifter), I have no doubt you could theoretically plug any form factor of electric switch array you wanted into the shifter's socket and have it work fine. I'd personally love to see someone mod an old '64 Dodge Dart's "Torque-Flite" push-button panel to shift a modern Dodge tranny, because that is totally do-able.

Due to my interest in all things electronic, I've done silly modifications like this to everything from TV sets to CB radios (I modded a LOT of CB's back during the 'craze' of the 70's).
Ah yes -- Those good ol Upd858 phase lock loop chips! Those were fun. :cool:
.
Click to expand...
I used one out of a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT the plug is completely different but the wiring color code is identical, everything works fine except for auto stick because the system isn't looking for the signal. Been trying to find someone to look at the config but no one want to mess with it... O and the center console isn't designed for a standard shifter so I had to do a little cutting and design work for the bezel.
 
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#12 ·
mantis said:
Well lets look at the facts.
Dodge called me after reading my survey. The Lady on the phone asked me if I would like the shifter knob swapped out for a T shifter if it could be done at my local dealer? I said sure. She said I will call them and see if that is a possibility. After she got off the phone with the dealer they said the shifter is electronic and it can't be done.

If they where going to do it I would have allowed it and been happy to see the stupid thing go.
Someone on here did it themselves and I'm gonna look for that thread and see what it takes to do it myself.
Click to expand...
You would need a new center console skeleton that would accept the shifter, a new wiring harness, a new shifter, a new bezel.... and that is the parts list... Than the engineers would need to figure out the programing and make it a feature available for your year which it currently is not, they would than have to add the feature to your VIN int he system, and finally after all the above stuff is installed the dealer would be able to flash the feature into the vehicle... its not as easy as it sounds and im hoping with the newer vehicles coming out I can grab the BCM config and see what can be done.
 
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#13 ·
BigAl said:
You would need a new center console skeleton that would accept the shifter, a new wiring harness, a new shifter, a new bezel.... and that is the parts list... Than the engineers would need to figure out the programing and make it a feature available for your year which it currently is not, they would than have to add the feature to your VIN int he system, and finally after all the above stuff is installed the dealer would be able to flash the feature into the vehicle... its not as easy as it sounds and im hoping with the newer vehicles coming out I can grab the BCM config and see what can be done.
Click to expand...
^ This dude has been there, trust him.

I say its easier to just upgrade if you want the toggle switch instead of the rotory switch. I am torn about the SRT since it has a toggle switch to catch everything you pass from drivers side to pass, and vice-versa.
 
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#14 ·
Tweak said:
^ This dude has been there, trust him.

I say its easier to just upgrade if you want the toggle switch instead of the rotory switch. I am torn about the SRT since it has a toggle switch to catch everything you pass from drivers side to pass, and vice-versa.
Click to expand...
I agree, and samey-same with any retrofit, including a shifter, or push-button type.
But there are other important details that would need to be worked out, like providing a "reverse-lockout" and such. Also, the original 'TorqueFlite' button array is mechanical, not electrical, so using that as an example, you'd have to replace the guts with a switch array similar to those found on a Corbra2000 CB radio. These can directly replace any other contact switch (which, the DD's rotary switch is), if the lockouts are maintained somehow -- wouldn't want to push reverse at 80MPH... It might get ugly. ;)
 
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NumberThree
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