Dial Shifter - Let Me Vent!

[CDNRabbit]

I'm still an old guy in the making so I'm not going to hate on a form factor so long as I get positive engagement. Seeing as a dial can't do that, GM/Lincoln flubbed buttons, the Germans create useless fake console shifters, I guess it's column shifters for me.

 

[Stretch70]

Much different than a stick, that’s for sure. I doubt these are gong back though - looks like a safety issue. Note how the knob will jump itself into Park under certain conditions

 

[GixxerJasen]

Much different than a stick, that’s for sure. I doubt these are gong back though - looks like a safety issue. Note how the knob will jump itself into Park under certain conditions

Found that the console shifter on the F150 will do the same. I'm curious if the console shifter is really just connecting contacts in there instead of doing any actual shifting, in which case it's no different than buttons or a dial, just makes people feel better because it looks like what they are used to.

 

[NorthWestYuppie]

I am an "Old Guy" millions of miles under my belt, driving a tow truck for a living at age sixteen, street racing in the early 70's and one of my favorite sayings; "back when it was legal to drink and drive" (don't get upset it is just a joke, but true)
Whoever prompted Ford engineering to adopt the dial shifter should be fired! I is inherently wrong in every aspect of humanity.
As the proud owner of a 2024 Expedition Max I have to admit it didn't bother me initially, but it didn't take long for this unnatural cumbersome basic function of driving to start eating away at my soul.
The fact some person somewhere in the great country thought this shifter was a good ideal baffles my mind. I'm assuming it was copied from some modern European design or a video game.
I truly understand it is my unwillingness to change that has brought this rant to print, maybe there is some weekly evening meeting I can attend to help me with this problem although I'm pretty sure it will not help.
I do love the truck, but I will end with; If at any point Ford or the aftermarket ever develops a plug-and-play retrofit normal (Human style) shifter the way it was intended to be (Park-Forward, Drive-Back and Neutral somewhere in the middle) I will buy it at any cost!
Just so it is clear, this is not the way I normally talk. It was incredibly hard for me to write this post and not have it removed due to my normal use profanity.
Thanks for the venting session, I'm curious if there are others who feel the same way, please chime in.

BOOHOO

 

[llhoneymoons]

Question. How quickly can you shift into neutral should you need to, say to move it around a shop, get it onto a tow truck, or move it from the road if it breaks down?

 

[VCFP153]

I am an "Old Guy" millions of miles under my belt, driving a tow truck for a living at age sixteen, street racing in the early 70's and one of my favorite sayings; "back when it was legal to drink and drive" (don't get upset it is just a joke, but true)
Whoever prompted Ford engineering to adopt the dial shifter should be fired! I is inherently wrong in every aspect of humanity.
As the proud owner of a 2024 Expedition Max I have to admit it didn't bother me initially, but it didn't take long for this unnatural cumbersome basic function of driving to start eating away at my soul.
The fact some person somewhere in the great country thought this shifter was a good ideal baffles my mind. I'm assuming it was copied from some modern European design or a video game.
I truly understand it is my unwillingness to change that has brought this rant to print, maybe there is some weekly evening meeting I can attend to help me with this problem although I'm pretty sure it will not help.
I do love the truck, but I will end with; If at any point Ford or the aftermarket ever develops a plug-and-play retrofit normal (Human style) shifter the way it was intended to be (Park-Forward, Drive-Back and Neutral somewhere in the middle) I will buy it at any cost!
Just so it is clear, this is not the way I normally talk. It was incredibly hard for me to write this post and not have it removed due to my normal use profanity.
Thanks for the venting session, I'm curious if there are others who feel the same way, please chime in.

Amen! The absolute best thing about my SSV is the column shifter!

 

[nema100]

Some company sells the folding F150 shifter, but not targeted specifically for the Expedition. https://youtu.be/xzzQ2xQR4dA

 

[GixxerJasen]

Question. How quickly can you shift into neutral should you need to, say to move it around a shop, get it onto a tow truck, or move it from the road if it breaks down?

I just went and perused the owners manual and this is definitely the only valid complaint in this entire thread, the rest is just whining.

 

[Going_Going_Gone]

The rotary shifter took me a while to adapt to, but the piano keys in the wife's Lincoln are a whole other level of confusion if, like me, you don't drive it regularly.

 

[Rob6805]

I just went and perused the owners manual and this is definitely the only valid complaint in this entire thread, the rest is just whining.

Truth. And it's easy to shift into neutral. Turn dial to N and follow the direction on the screen and push the M button. Do it every time I go to the car wash.

 

[Mr Big]

Seems like a lot of wasted air here, lol. However, I prefer the knob over the stick and I'm old too, drove 4 on the floor for years.
I also like the button start over the key. Maybe we should start another thread about that

 

[cekkk]

As the current owner of my fourth Expedition I'm going to grant myself the privilege of commenting on the #%&$# buttons on my 2020 Lincoln. They Suck!

 

[GixxerJasen]

Truth. And it's easy to shift into neutral. Turn dial to N and follow the direction on the screen and push the M button. Do it every time I go to the car wash.

Now go look up how you do it if you have a dead battery.

Here you go.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6550&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G1886318&ProcUid=G1886525&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Stay in Neutral Mode - Console Shifter - No Start
Use this feature to move your transmission from the park (P) position in the event of a no start situation. If your vehicle has a dead battery, it requires an external power source. Do not tow your vehicle in this mode.
Note: This feature only functions if your 12 volt battery has power and the starter can spin the engine. If vehicle battery voltage is not sufficient, it could need an external 12 volt power source, for example, jumper cables, battery charger or jump pack, for this feature to function.
Note: Once in this mode, maintain sufficient battery voltage or your vehicle returns to park.
WARNING WARNING: When doing this procedure, you need to take the transmission out of park (P) which means your vehicle can roll freely. To avoid unwanted vehicle movement, always fully apply the parking brake prior to doing this procedure. Use wheels chocks if appropriate.

Do not press the brake pedal. Press the Start/Stop button.
Fully press down on the brake pedal. Keep the brakes applied through step 6.
Press the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold through step 6.
Rotate transmission selector to Neutral (N) and press the manual (M) button.
Press and release the push to start button, the transmission needs a minimum of 2 seconds to exit park.
When neutral (N) displays, you can release the brake and accelerator pedals.
To exit Stay in Neutral mode, select a different gear.
A message appears in your information display screen when your vehicle has entered Stay in Neutral mode.

 

[Rob6805]

Now go look up how you do it if you have a dead battery.

Here you go.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6550&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G1886318&ProcUid=G1886525&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

You do realize there are no actual cables connecting the shifter to the trans anymore even with a column or console shift lever so this process will be the same regardless..

 

[JExpedition07]

I like the setup in my 2023 F-150 STX. It’s got the column shifter and a full center console. The STX is a rather basic trim, I optioned the center console, locking axle, and 5.0. It’s one of the hacks of this trim, yes the center console is an upcharge….but you can get it and it keeps the column shifter. The Lariats etc have no choice, they are forced to take the console shifter and they lose an acre of space that I have for chips, keys, sunglasses, etc lol.