Convert rotary to console shift?

[johnny_D_fl]

Had multiple expeditions in the past and was thinking about getting a newer one but I despise the rotary shifter. Anyone hear of swapping the center console for something like what’s in the F150 with the fold flat gear shift? I think that would be awesome but not sure how feasible it would be.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Had multiple expeditions in the past and was thinking about getting a newer one but I despise the rotary shifter. Anyone hear of swapping the center console for something like what’s in the F150 with the fold flat gear shift? I think that would be awesome but not sure how feasible it would be.

First off welcime to the forum, second it wouldn't be very cost effective. What's so wrong about a rotary shifter?

 

[johnny_D_fl]

Everything

 

[apex96]

Everything

I wouldn’t go that far… it takes some time to become comfortable with, for sure. I came from an F150 with the column shifter and 40/20/40 bench setup… even if I had the captains chairs and 4 cup holder center console, I’m never carrying 4 drinks with me…

Now to whether you could retrofit the folder shifter from the newer F150s into the newer 2022+ refresh… it’s not going to be plug and play as the interiors have diverged to much to make that possible. The wiring looms and plugs will be different as well.

I’m sure, with the right amount of money and time, someone could have a shop add it in and make it look oem…

 

[Bunky]

I feel for you. However, a rotary beats a push button EVERY TIME. A rotary is just a stick in a curve. It has continuous tactile feedback, you can feel where it is, eyeball not required. A PB has zero feedback, separate switches, usually requires eyeballs. Be happy Ford hasn't gone completely stupid like other manufacturers. Ex: 2020 Passport.

 

[Fastcar]

I also am of the belief that the rotary shifter is a pia. Almost everything I have owned has had the shifter on the floor/console. I find the knob to be more difficult to manipulate, further it feels plan unnatural. I also find I have to look at it to be sure I have selected the correct position.
Heck it is a truck, let it be a truck.

 

[ryanpe]

I too despise the rotary shifter. I have a '21 Limited and it probably my least favorite aspect of the truck. I just don't like the rotary feel (not a positive enough detent) as well as the poorly designed manual function which requires a visual to ensure accuracy IMO. I prefer a traditional console mounted shifter but would be completely satisfied with a column shifter over the rotary.

 

[ExpyNole]

After a week with the rotary, you'll appreciate how much more open the console feels with it.
If you have an unlimited budget and no problem burning cash, I guess anything is possible. But no amount of hate for a rotary shifter could convince me that a couple grand worth of parts and fiddling with Forscan trying to activate things that may not even exist is worth the headache.

 

[Rob6805]

RAM's implementation is much better. It's also a rotary shifter but it's located on the IP leaving a lot more room in the center console for storage.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

Not a fan of the know either and would prefer a shifter like the F-150s. A couple times when not paying the most attention: one time I was attempting to go from R to D and turned the knob the wrong direction. Then another time I reached down to turn the shift knob and turned the driving mode one instead. That wasn't harsh on the drivetrain.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

My 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4, purchased new, replaced a Dodge Durango SLT SUV 4x4. The Durango had a column transmission shifter, and I prefer it over the large, space-robbing console shifter of my 2015 Expedition.

My son has a 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman 4x4 with the dash-mounted rotary transmission shifter. It is easy to get used to and frees-up a lot of space in the center console.

The center console set-up in my 2015 Expedition, including the tiny storage compartment, is poorly designed and executed for a large SUV.

Give me a dash-mounted rotary shifter or a column shifter any day.

 

[Grizguy]

Not a huge fan of the shift dile... or the mode dial. The 2 x 4 and 4 x 4 buttons have been bumped more than a few times. I don't like the fact that you have to reset the mode to eco every time I start the car. Heck, My motorcycle even remembers the last turn signal I used when I restart. Thankfully someone came up with a product to disable the auto stop function.

 

[bigwilly]

I dislike the location of the knob more than the knob itself. I drove a Ram TRX during a business trip and like their implementation of the shifter much better. It just opens up the console. So much room for activities!

 

[dlcorbett]

RAM's implementation is much better. It's also a rotary shifter but it's located on the IP leaving a lot more room in the center console for storage.

I'm gonna disagree with this. The expys dial is where your hand would rest, no reaching for it like the ram, and no awkward bending of the wrist to operate. Yes it opens more space up, but honestly , there's a lot of open space that ford failed to utilize properly for the console area(an area the nav is greatly better) and has since the 3rd gen. The old dyra go dial feels just like the expys so I don't see the comparo/preference between the two.

On a side note, the dial is greatly better than the push button for the nav. It's better than the gm trucks(save for escalade. Which I like better than all these trucks), but the keys are too wide, the keys require a huge drepress to operate, and the transmission takes longer to shift into gear. The only I slightly dislike(and lincolns sync 3s delayed operation compared to the expy).

 

[Deadman]

I hated the rotary at first and I'm still not a fan, but honestly it gets easier over time. Its nice how there isn't the wasted space from a big gear selector.

 

[Rob6805]

I'm gonna disagree with this. The expys dial is where your hand would rest, no reaching for it like the ram, and no awkward bending of the wrist to operate. Yes it opens more space up, but honestly , there's a lot of open space that ford failed to utilize properly for the console area(an area the nav is greatly better) and has since the 3rd gen. The old dyra go dial feels just like the expys so I don't see the comparo/preference between the two.

On a side note, the dial is greatly better than the push button for the nav. It's better than the gm trucks(save for escalade. Which I like better than all these trucks), but the keys are too wide, the keys require a huge drepress to operate, and the transmission takes longer to shift into gear. The only I slightly dislike(and lincolns sync 3s delayed operation compared to the expy).

I have a RAM 2500 from my work and really like it. Agree that the button style shift is horrible.

 

[mdecillis]

RAM's implementation is much better. It's also a rotary shifter but it's located on the IP leaving a lot more room in the center console for storage.

I'd rather have it the way it is in the Fords.

It took me about 3 times to get used to. It's not that big of deal other than "not having the feel of it being a truck". I have a Fusion and GT500 with the same dial. I thought I would hate it in the GT500, but it's fine.

But to the OP, you might want to see if the police issued Expeditions have the column shifter because then it would be an easier swap. I know the Explorers do.

 

[Rob6805]

I'd rather have it the way it is in the Fords.

It took me about 3 times to get used to. It's not that big of deal other than "not having the feel of it being a truck". I have a Fusion and GT500 with the same dial. I thought I would hate it in the GT500, but it's fine.

But to the OP, you might want to see if the police issued Expeditions have the column shifter because then it would be an easier swap. I know the Explorers do.

Yea, I get it with a car. But in a truck it takes up too much center console room.

 

[5280tunage]

I feel for you. However, a rotary beats a push button EVERY TIME. A rotary is just a stick in a curve. It has continuous tactile feedback, you can feel where it is, eyeball not required. A PB has zero feedback, separate switches, usually requires eyeballs. Be happy Ford hasn't gone completely stupid like other manufacturers. Ex: 2020 Passport.

And even the new GM's have clunky push button shifters I hate even more than the rotary knob. I want more control over this stuff myself, I hate hate hate, that when I'm working on my vehicle or getting ready to pull on to ramps or something, that this knob throws itself back into park when I open my door to look for the ramps, etc. Just waiting to screw up a tranny over nothing, you know, because some dummy decided to jump out of moving vehicle.

 

[BrianA]

I'd rather have the column shifter. There is so much wasted space in the center...

I've already gone to move mode dial to eco and accidentally put trans in neutral.