Does the JL shift knob come off?

[jeepdabest]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the site but I just picked up my fourth Jeep and third Wrangler. I was wondering if anyone with a M/T JL has tried, successfully or not, to remove and replace the shift knob. I had a 2014 JK Altitude Edition M/T and I had replaced that shift knob with a drilled out golf ball I found on EBAY. Was kind of hoping to do the same thing with the JL. Just curious.....

ANYTHING will come off with beer and the right tools

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[dinohunter]

Not sure if you tried this but will the aftermarket adaptor interfere with the reverse lockout?

There is an adaptor that will work with the reverse lockout for a manual tranny. They also have a gear shift adaptor.

https://www.speeddawg.com/jeep-jl-2018-newer-shift-knob-adapter-for-manual-transmission/

 

[Bardog]

 

[Jeepney Johnny]

The OEM knob "justs" pop off, but for me, it took a stubby hammer, a couple of pry tools, a curse-word, and a few beads of sweat.

I used (Harbor Freight) automotive trim removal tools on either side of the knob to get it started. Work them under the knob (use a hammer and tap, tap, tap, not whack, whack, whack), and get the knob to move upwards.

The second photo is a bit misleading, the knob is actually already removed, and the pry tools don't look like exactly like that...the photo is to better show placement where you can work the tools under the knob.

Just like what the service manual reads, you give the knob a sharp jerk upwards. I pulled a few times on the knob and pry tools with both hands, and it finally came flying off. I made sure to pay attention to where the spring landed. Luckily, the plastic spacer that goes between the spring and shaft of the shifter didn't go anywhere, so I didn't have to go looking for it.

The 16-ounce (450 grams) polished Twisted Shifterz knob is a little smaller and more ergonomically shaped, but I'm sure it'll slip more easily from my hands on mitten-mornings.

I was pleasantly surprised by the heft of the OEM knob, almost 7 ounces or 200 grams.

I kept getting images of Destro in my head looking at the replacement. I may have spent too much time in front of the TV in the 80s watching G.I. Joe cartoons.

 

[Bardog]

The OEM knob "justs" pop off, but for me, it took a stubby hammer, a couple of pry tools, a curse-word, and a few beads of sweat.

I used (Harbor Freight) automotive trim removal tools on either side of the knob to get it started. Work them under the knob (use a hammer and tap, tap, tap, not whack, whack, whack), and get the knob to move upwards.

The second photo is a bit misleading, the knob is actually already removed, and the pry tools don't look like exactly like that...the photo is to better show placement where you can work the tools under the knob.

Just like what the service manual reads, you give the knob a sharp jerk upwards. I pulled a few times on the knob and pry tools with both hands, and it finally came flying off. I made sure to pay attention to where the spring landed. Luckily, the plastic spacer that goes between the spring and shaft of the shifter didn't go anywhere, so I didn't have to go looking for it.

The 16-ounce (450 grams) polished Twisted Shifterz knob is a little smaller and more ergonomically shaped, but I'm sure it'll slip more easily from my hands on mitten-mornings.

I was pleasantly surprised by the heft of the OEM knob, almost 7 ounces or 200 grams.

I kept getting images of Destro in my head looking at the replacement. I may have spent too much time in front of the TV in the 80s watching G.I. Joe cartoons.

Hi, Jeepney...

I changed the manual trans knob on my last 2DR (2003 TJ) and I still have the Hurst knob I used back then. I've already pried off the knob with a t-shirt, for which I'll post a video, but I'm wondering how Twisted Shifterz set up that knob you bought to work on the stock shifter shaft. Of course you know it's not threaded, so I'm not sure what kind of adapter they sent you...

If you could give me a little insight that would be great.

Thanks a lot.

 

[Jeepney Johnny]

The only thing I got from Twisted Shifterz was a polished round knob and a jam nut. I used a Speed Dawg adapter with that knob. There's a couple of set screws on the front and back of the adapter used to secure it to the OEM shifter shaft. When installing the adapter, just pull up on the red collar, and make sure it can fully move before final set screw adjustments.

 

[Dewey7015]

Figured it out. It really does pop right off like in those instructions. I put a vise clamp around it and hit it upwards with a hammer since I don’t have a slide hammer. Came right off. There’s no thread, so youll need an adapter for anything aftermarket. The reverse lockout can also be tricked/disabled.

so you disabled the reverse lockout? how?

 

[ALRUI]

so you disabled the reverse lockout? how?

anyone have more info on the Speed Dawg adapter? There isn't any install info on YouTube. I was hoping they or someone else made one with the factory clip setup and threads not set screws. Great opportunity for someone if they made a proper adapter to make some $!

 

[hoch]

anyone have more info on the Speed Dawg adapter? There isn't any install info on YouTube. I was hoping they or someone else made one with the factory clip setup and threads not set screws. Great opportunity for someone if they made a proper adapter to make some $!

The Speeddawg adapter with set screws works just fine for me. I just had to adjust it a little bit to make sure the reverse lockout fully engaged. Then got the set screws snug and it’s solid.

 

[Rocket_Matt]

Everything is removable...it's just a matter of how much force is applied.

Similarly, anything can fly, it's just a matter of thrust.

 

[Maverick909]

has anyone else tried the American Brother Designs shift knobs for the manual trans? supposed to be direct replacement. seems to be extremely well built

 

[ALRUI]

has anyone else tried the American Brother Designs shift knobs for the manual trans? supposed to be direct replacement. seems to be extremely well built

It looks nice but pretty darn pricey! I emailed them and am awaiting a reply about how it installs. If it's like others using a set screw forget it at that price for me anyway.

 

[Maverick909]

It looks nice but pretty darn pricey! I emailed them and am awaiting a reply about how it installs. If it's like others using a set screw forget it at that price for me anyway.

I don’t see any adaptors on there page. Plus they are “mopar official” I’d assume they’re press fit like the factory ones

 

[ALRUI]

I don’t see any adaptors on there page. Plus they are “mopar official” I’d assume they’re press fit like the factory ones

I'll let you know if they reply. I'm thinking I looked into this awhile back and none fit like the factory one. A fellow member here sent me their old one and I was trying to dissect it and figure out how to adapt a regular know to use the Mopar "clip" style to hold the knob on but got sidetracked with other projects.

 

[ALRUI]

OK, ABD replied and stated their Mopar knob is held on with a set screw. Reminds me of some Cal Custom crap I used as a teenager in the 70's

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