I figure it would be better to ask first, take some flak, then not to ask at all and screw something up...

After much discussion, I am resigning myself to get the shifter for the auto trans to go into slot 1. Not that I exactly need it, but the number is there and it has always bothered me that I "can't have it." The 97 TA definitely has 2.73's, but the strange thing I have found is that the center console lettering is as follows;
P - R - N - D - 3 - 2 - 1.
Seems that most do not have the number one even listed. Anyway... I can feel / see that I need to remove screws for the shifter / ****, and there are two bolts at the front of the center console. Anymore elsewhere? Any gotchas? Your patience and wisdom are always appreciate it... but I have gotten past the e-brake fluid test... barely
--ron

 

It's pretty straightforward. Just make sure you're careful with the wires for the cig lighter and ashtray light.

 

Hey Ron, How's it going

There are two screws in the console down where the CD/tape slots are, they need to come out, along with a screw under the ashtray, that one is hidden pretty well. After that and the two in the front I yank the ebrake back as far as it will go, remove the shift *** and it comes out fairly easily. It's a little tricky the first time, after that it's pretty easy.

Gregg

Oh yeah, like mentioned above, you will need to disconnect the cig lighter and ashtray before you completely remove the console, almost forgot those

 

I knew if asked.... I would be told.

Not much going on. Looking for a real job with no luck, and waiting for the weather to be more cooperative on the weekends so maybe I can make a track appearance. I feel the need... to go fast. At 14.2 in the 1/4, I don't think that qualify's as "speed".

John Pampered-Z was over a couple of Fridays ago and did the TB-bypass, second mod, on the 97TA. I figure it's all down hill now... you track guys should feel guilty... corrupting the morals of a "Show Car". I think the next one after this is 1LE air intake elbow. Something about getting rid of the "donkey thing".

So while waiting around for that, and since we are having soooo much rain, I figured I had time to mess with the console and remove the piece that keeps the shifter from getting into slot 1. Just because.

So now I know to be careful with the ashtray / cig wires and about the hidden ashtray screw. I greatly appreciate that info guys. 1) I won't go nuts when the console won't come out and 2) I won't be ripping the wires for the ashtry / cig lighter.

--ron

 

I knew eventually you would come over to the dark side

 

Thanks for the hints but the 97 Trans is a bit different, and tricky. After having got the operation done, it is easier to say that the center console is two halves, top and bottom. After removing the the two screws at the bottm of the CD holder, and then the two front screw underneath the dash, I could not locate the hidden screw under the ashtray.


I then notice the hangup point was further back. I noticed a slight indentation underneath the change holder. Pop the change holder up and out and two smaller screws were found. Actually they are the only two that need to be removed. Plus the "clip" that holds the shift **** on, and a bulb connection that illuminates the shift selection. Oh well.

Got the hacksaw blade and started on that square plastic nub. Ten minutes later it was off, and the shifter could now go into "1st". Got everything back, cleaned up and test drove the new "1st" selection out of the garage for ten feet, noticed that it was beginning to rain and so backed the TA back in. But still, it's working. Cool!
thanks much,
--ron