It is chromed plastic.

I had the top piece break off on my '06. It was a $63 part to replace it.

 

been awhile since I had one of those apart.....

 

Looks better Darren!

 

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Thanks man. Hey, I spammed your Facebook seeking advice on headers, check it out sometime so I can get some sound/performance soon

 

At least you still have your chrome piece on the shifter, mine broke off a long time ago.

 

Chromed plastic is outrageously expensive (and cheap to manufacture). I've done 'extensive permitting' for a company that plates parts for 'a lot' of the automotive industry (unfortunately Darren, this isn't one of those parts)...

From what I'm seeing (obviously not laying hands on), you're going to be VERY hard pressed to remove the issues... better off replacing it. Also, be reminded that the chrome, on just about any plastic piece, is going to be pretty thin... ie: your substrate may 'shine through' quicker than you can say 'don't do it'.

 

Thanks RP. Guess it is a big money maker for companies huh? $63 for the little top piece I can't imagine what the entire shifter assembly runs... I would paint thin it and have it painted before buying a $300+ assembly brand new. Or just drive on cloudy days do it doesn't look so bad .

I thought a minute on a 2000 grit wetsanding, but I imagine that would cause more problems than I already have going on with it. Even with a professional clear coat follow up.

This kind of stuff is definitely a select piece to wax for you guys with brand new trucks, keep it just a little safer than what protectant can!

 

I think new shifters are in the low 200 price range. Or just wait until your shift interlock solenoid fails and you have to buy the solenoid for 80 bucks, or get the whole shifter for 200ish

 

Oh thats great news to hear.

While you mention something like that, I have a story from this past February. It snowed hard ( the only time it did this past winter ) and I was in 4wd hi for about 3 miles, half pavement the other half on a dirt road. When I went to back up into my parking space I turned it back to 2wd, heard the hubs disengage, backed up and turned into my space, went to shift into Park and it would not let me. I was putting strong force on the shifter and it ran through all gears except going into Park. Put it in neutral, shut the truck off, started it again, and tried Park again, it went into Park.. Is that a sign of this failing solenoid you speak of? That is the only time I ever had an issue with the shifter.

 

Hopefully, my solenoid will be good for many years, since I've only been floor shift for 3 months

And yeah Darren new shifter assemblies for our trucks run around $200-$225, brand new. If you ever run into trouble, let me know (I'm soon to be working as a salesman at the local dealership) and I'll see if parts are cheaper through me...if so, I'll try to help out here, where I can.

 

Hahaha that made me laugh so hard...I will have to try Plastic X on mine as well, mine is the same way

 

I took this part off to replace the shifter bulb. It's held on by 2 clips. The part number is 4L3Z-7D443-BB. It's absolutely ridiculously expensive at $150. That's just for the plastic chrome piece, not the whole shifter. I may just spray paint chrome over it.

 

I had the chrome peel off of mine...once around the shifter, and twice on the caps...dealer replaced the surround and cap under warranty...the second cap cut my finger, so I took it off to peel the remaining chrome off and repaint...its still off! Never got around to painting it!

I think getting chrome to stick to plastic is a delicate process...

I would just clean with glass cleaner... Sprayway is my cleaner of choice!