Fixed the gap. Now just to get a new spring tomorrow from HD. It works with the spring in there. The spring creaks a lot though from being bent so much. Its a perfect match with the leather though!!!!!

Just a LOT of TIME and CUSTOM work on this project.

 

WoW... this one proved to be a monster seemingly.

I'm glad you got it covered! BTW, look for an email in a little bit... thanks for your patience.

 

Glad to hear it, Duke!

Do you have any problem keeping the new chrome cap on?

 

Yeah Rock it was a beast. I read your email this morning and just sent one back to you.

I have to go buy a new spring which will be easy to load since the top popped right off the shifter. Top being the plastic plug that holds the spring in. I think I'll try some JB weld to hold the chrome cap on, but it looks like such a snug fit that I might not have to JB weld it on.

I know someone posted earlier that anyone with half a brain can do this...but either I only have half a brain or they just were having a great day. Of course, like everyone always says after a mod..."If I did it again it would take half the time". Well I'll do a LT handle for someone if they'll come install Magnaflow SIDO for me!

This is a possible mod, just be prepared for lots of custom fitting and trial and error.

Helpful Hints (In no particular order):
1. In all instance wrap your slim screw driver in electric tape to avoid scratching anything.
2. Don't get upset and cuss like crazy when something goes bad. Your girlfriend or wife will be furious with you. Especially if she is down the hill laying by the pool and already upset that you're spending an entire day on your truck....not that I'm speaking from experience or something. I accidentally dremmeled some of the leather on the edge where the button goes in. Can't see it now b/c your eyes are never at the angle to see right next to the button, but stinks b/c I know it's there.
3. The black plastic boot under the chrome sleeve when taking the stock shifter off - just pry at it with a screw driver (wrapped again) and it will come down.
4. The chrome button just pops off. At the top and the bottom, just push up with your screw driver and it will pop right off.
5. Use tweezers to put the spring that holds the metal bar in place for the button. (Sounds very general, but you will know what I mean when you start putting the plastic button back together)
6. BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR SPRING!!!! AND WATCH YOUR EYES. When I was putting my shifter back on I pushed too hard and the spring as caught and I didn't know it. (Different spring than the button spring). Anyway it shot through the handle up through a plastic plug and through the chrome top and almost took me out. Needless to say that's how it got bent. The thing is one stiff spring.
7. Other than that good luck. I'll take pics and post them of the final product when I finish my other mods (painted mud flaps, painted antenna base, LT door handles w/ dynamat) this weekend.

So I'll do this mod for you if you ship it to me or come by stillwater or minneapolis MN and help do magnaflow SIDO with me. Any takers?????

 

I originally thought mine wold stay on without any permanent fix, but it eventually wouldn't stay on. JB Weld did the trick.

 

Something tells me you're right....add JB weld to the Home Depot shopping list when I get off work today. The LT tan leather shifter matches the Lariat 05 tan leather perfectly by the way!!!

 

Can't wait to see the pictures.

Maybe the leather takes on moisture after being stuck in plastic for so long, but the cap fit great at first, then it kept popping off.

 

Well I used JB weld on the cap and it's definitely not coming off. The only problem is I didn't notice that the front of the cap has a slight gap between it and the leather. I went to fix it, but the JB weld is way to firm now. Any ideas on losening that hold so I can re JB weld it?

Also, I went to HD and they didn't have any springs that were even close. I ended up going to a Menards...like Home Depot and found a spring that was similiar just a little longer. I trimmed it and it works. The button is a little sticky though in terms of how far out it will come out. At least it works. I think I'll be hard pressed to take it apart and touch up the hole with a dremel. That thing was hours putting it back together.