Fix shift tube Ford Ranger

Changing broken shift tube in 2000 Ford Ranger.

[@HollandMedianDesign]

Had mine break yesterday and this video helped me greatly. Thank you. Without this video it may have taken me hours. But, because of this video, it only had taken me about 30 minutes to remove the old and replace. Thank you!

[@billmorgan1871]

It's Bill the originator of the above video. So 10 years later still have the same Ranger and the damn shift tube failed again. Fortunately I had and expert video to turn to remind me of how to fix it. LOL

[@MrBounce-uy3xg]

That’s funny. I just did mine today after watching your video last night. Thank you very much for the helpful video.

[@joedirt1653]

Thanks I’m starting mine tomorrow hope all goes well. Here a problem I see just by looking at mine. There’s only 1 screws at the end of the tube where that selector support bar is and the screw is broken off I’m in a world of hurt possibly wish me luck and thanks for the great video!

[@sgiersch2]

This video is so awesome. Thank you thank you thank you. Saved over $1200 at the dealer, not to mention now way to get it to the dealer with a broken shifter. $48 for the part. Plus having to buy a couple of really weird tools that I will never use again, but oh well. Thanks a million.

[@jamesqueen4721]

Thanks for posting this video, I couldn't find anything about repairing the shift tube or even mention of the part name in Hayne's repair manual.

[@ericpaxton1116]

Great video. Very helpful. Did the procedure on my 2000 Explorer. But now it wont start. I wonder if I misaligned something that prevents it from being in Park.

[@EDGEAMAKATEDIDDIOT]

great video , all the help i needed in just this one , blessing to you friend

[@billmorgan1871]

Happy to help. Bill

[@billmorgan1871]

Hi Chris, You are the first commenter, glad to help. I don't know why the bolts should ever get loose which cause a failure. Bad Ford design. Mine is still working fine. Good luck Bill

[@donbowlingsr8174]

I had to move my shift selector up and down to get it to start and also go in the right gear 2003 ranger auto.

[@nofortunatesonII]

FWIW: There are actually 5 bolts that hold the metal piece that is under the plastic knee panel, one of yours (lower right) was missing.

[@giovannithomas7594]

Thank you sir for posting cost me 50.00 save me a bunch of money may god bless you in each and everything in your life.....

[@billmorgan1871]

+TheColorfulCrew Gaming Happy to be a help. Bill

[@landonandrews2143]

what was your doing before ou fixed it mine is shifting in to nuetrual an drive but no reverse and no park

[@billmorgan1871]

Good luck Nicole, I think I covered it well enough for almost anyone to do the job. Bill

[@gabrielmontano4281]

nine just snapped due to the loose t30 screws on the bell so now I have to replace the whole tube time to get dirty !

[@splatteredflat]

Thank thank... You made my day and saved me a lot of money. I greatly appreciate the time you took to make this video...

[@tylerbennington508]

So the problem im having is, i think one of the torx bolts broke and ive just been wearing it down sense then. Now i can hardly get my ranger to go into drive. Will this fix that problem? Thanks again

[@jackbaisley7059]

Just got done replacing a broken clamp that holds the shifter tube, it fixed the slop of the shifter but the key will move at all nor the shifter both are locked up. I had trouble aligning the shifter tube until I reached back and shifted it by hand. What do you think I did wrong? I was not able to put it in park so when I started working on it I had it in neutral, then putting it back together I shifted by hand in order to make the shifter tube to sit in the right the place. Thanks, -Jack

[@billmorgan1871]

Sorry for the slow reply. You probably have figured out what is wrong by now. If I found my self in a similar situation I would probably take it apart again. Mine, as you see went back together on the first try and has worked fine since then. I think the key to no future failure is locking the bolts that hold it together so they won't ever loosen accidentally. Peace Bill

[@dustylister]

nice work I'm about to do this to my e250 tomorrow sothis made it more comfortable for me. thanks

[@klonenolk]

A huge help! Thanks Aton!

[@120beachbum]

I have a question. I just bought a1998 Ford ranger. The previous owner told me he just replaced the shift tube and plunger. It's very hard to put into gears like drive.. or reverse..etc. should it be very hard to do after it's been replaced??? Can someone help me?

[@northernKaizer]

thank you for the help i would have never figured this out on my e-350 powerstroke left you a like

[@TheLightningStalker]

You're supposed to pull the negative on the battery, not the positive. Make that mistake again and you will get a short circuit through your wrench when it touches ground and you won't make it again!

[@scotwaitman2051]

Nice job on the video Bill, Thanks!

[@dgiomett]

do you know what size the reverse torx screws are that allow you to drop the column? Do I need to buy a socket or can I just unscrew nuts? Great video. Thanks.

[@billmorgan1871]

Sorry, I don't remember, It may be in the video though. You just have to loosen the rear bolts because they have a u shaped hole that is open on the end and slip off after you take out the front bolts. Bill

[@christheother9088]

Many thanks my friend. I got lucky and didn't need the torx sockets, the bolts came off fine. I am not a big fan of the design of that shift tube, needless to say. PITA repair, but it looks like it went fine with your guidance.

[@moultriemanicmechani]

Chris Gonzales it's a common issue across an entire line of Ford products,they used the shift assembly from the cars on the trucks,and they weren't designed for heavy duty use , so everything breaks. Also Ford doesn't know what lock tite is

[@jvitiumig3259]

I started to this but I just realized I don't even know if that's the problem! Ranger starts push brake in move the shifter back and fourth no gear works like it's on neutral

[@ShootingUtah]

great video! super helpful. My 2002 Ranger broke almost exactly like yours did. It happened in the parking lot of a store so I had to reach up and shift by pulling the cable with my hand and it HURT. But I had to get it home. now I just need a new shift tube.

[@lisarodrigues2346]

Great video , don't know what I did wrong but the key will not come out of ignition. Any suggestions ? Thanks

[@billmorgan1871]

I have a similar problem that only happens occasionally, if I push up on the shift lever, (I have an automatic on the column) it comes out. If you haven't put it all together you might loosen the hold down bolts and see if everything is in the right place. I don't know what would change to do that but, there is something. Sorry I can't help more. Bill

[@TheWomper77]

The shift tube in my ranger is snapped in half, do you think i would be able to just weld it or should i just play it safe and replace the tube? And what kind of metal is the tube?

[@billmorgan1871]

I am pretty sure it is pot metal and welding is not an option. You could try jb weld or similar but, what ever you do be sure to lock the threads on the shift attachments at the back, that's what went out on my ranger. A new shift tube is not that much and taking the whole thing apart if it fails again will ruin your day. Bill

[@rnjered]

Great video! I think I sent a message rather than commenting here, but my question was about the direction of the steering wheel. At around 3:30 in the video it seems like your steering column is pointed toward the drivers door (non-perpendicular) a bit. My seems to do this and I am not sure if it came that way from the factory, or if I need to get in there and adjust any of the mounting bolts to attempt to straighten. Thanks!

[@billmorgan1871]

Yes, you are correct, the column is not centered. I think most cars are like that for ergonomic reasons. Peace Bill I tried to find my inbox but I don't know how to access it despite watching a youtube video!!!

[@rnjered]

Thanks, Bill! Just making sure I wasn't loosing my mind.

[@ruppmusic]

your video helped a ton. Thank you

[@rosswhitted3974]

yes that was it thanks saved a lot of time

[@500passwords]

how did you diagnose this was the problem ? i have same ranger , my gear shift is just hanging like limp noodle . flops around wherever you move it . is that from bad tube ?

[@billmorgan1871]

Likely cause. You can disassemble the first parts and see where the problem is. Mine got mushy then quit altogether. Fortunately, I was able to get to my garage before it went away totally. Bill

[@500passwords]

Bill Morgan thanks for the fast reply . just got my shift tube out . it was broke in half . your video was great help :) whats up with the thumbs down ? if this video didn't help them they don't deserve to hold wrench anyway . lol thanks for the video . thumbs up from 500

[@TheBGjosh]

I have the same problem this vid is pretty helpful though

[@500passwords]

***** 55 bucks at napa

[@azultj09]

thanks for this, I did everything you said, i Just cant seem to take the gear handle out from the shift tube, any advice?

[@HollandMedianDesign]

Just take a small hammer and tap it back out. Be careful as it is designed to come out one way. It has small splines on one side. Just tapping from the opposite side of the splines should slowly move the pin out of the handle and pin hole.

[@marvinrosenfeld2145]

J Holland ppl

[@matiasfernandes]

Great video man!!!

[@billmorgan1871]

Thanks, I hope it did the job for you. Bill

[@corkysfloors]

the white steel part broke on mine ,do I have to replace the hole thing or just the white steel part and will it slide off

[@billmorgan1871]

Sorry for the delay. You many have already fixed the problem. I assume the "white steel" part is really the sliver cast part with the tabs that things screw on. If any of those tabs break or loose their threads you will have to replace the whole thing. You can save money if you check on the internet for a replacement part. Good luck, Bill

[@nicolephillips8180]

ok I'm a women don't know much about cars love this video doesn't look to hard hoping that I can fix the tube on my ford explorer

[@billslone4842]

Great video this really helped me fix my explorer.Thanks

[@billmorgan1871]

Happy to help. Bill

[@gabrielmontano4281]

awesome video

[@65cobra22]

well done, thanks

[@cornellrpgdrums]

whats the name of the black part you mention eon minute 9:30 (this little clip with rubber somthing....) whats the name and where can i get it???

[@billmorgan1871]

Hi Jesus, I looked at the video and don't remember if I got the little rubber thing with the new shift tube or just transferred the old one. In any event, I don't know what the name if the part is. I imagine if you look online or at a dealer parts book you can find it. I hope the vid helped you. Bill

[@chadmorrill7114]

do you happen to know where the shift interlock solenoid is??

[@billmorgan1871]

+Esker One Sorry I don't know where that item is but, I bet Google might!!

[@chadmorrill7114]

+Bill Morgan I've been trying lol. my 1998 Ford Ranger won't shift out of park.. I replaced the brake pedal senor.. just wondering if it's a bad shift tube or solenoid

[@nate6656]

@@chadmorrill7114 Ik this is five years later you may not ever see this comment. But I got my first truck which is a 1999 Ford ranger and I'm having the same issue did you ever figure out that problem

[@chadmorrill7114]

@@nate6656 it's the shift interlock solenoid.. that's what when out on mine took awhile to find the sneaky bugger but you have to pull apart the steering column

[@christiansmith1568]

great amazing video

[@billmorgan1871]

+Christian Smith Thanks glad to be of help.

[@eduardoarroyo7391]

It' helps, thanks.

[@transientemotion]

I thought you were supposed to disconnect the negative

[@billmorgan1871]

+Melvin Jackson It seems that disconnecting either one will take the battery out of the system.

[@transientemotion]

+Bill Morgan Its generally more safe to disconnect the ground not the positive. If by chance there was an accident, mistake, whatever...it will short circuit the way you do it rather than complete the circuit. Yada yada, you don't need to hear this just a thought. Thanks for the video

[@hp11208]

Someone is selling one for 3K

[@brianstanton573]

I fel like I'm watching Joe Biden work on a vehicle