Well, I removed the old shifter and I am installing a new OEM SSK.

Can anyone tell me if it is necessary to mark the cables if I am using the green tool that comes with the SSK -- the tool that holds the shifter in neutral.

I obtained a copy of the B&M instructions for this and they recommend marking the cables, however, the shifter they are installing does not have the green tool.

 

Yes you should mark the cables anyway..

 

I'm interested to hear your recount of how the install goes when it's done. Im thinking of installing one of these myself as well. Good luck!

 

Overall, the install went great.

I followed the instructions Macarbon posted for the console removal and the B&M instructions for the SSK install (PM me if you need them).

Here are a couple of things that I would like to point that the instructions do not:

1. Mark the steel cables with a Sharpie where the black sheaths (there are 2 black spring loaded sheaths that come out of the bottom of the shifter and attach to the steel cables) END...this is not apparent from the B&M instructions.

2. When reinstalling the center console (that is, the console that contains the shifter and the emergency brake), be sure to weave the electronics cable you need to reattach (see the Macarbon instructions -- there is only one cable you need to detach/reattach during this process) UNDER the steel bracket that holds the storage bin (this is the bin that sits directly in front of the shifter). If you don't do this, you will not be able to reinstall the storage bin and will need to disassemble quite a bit of stuff to fix this error (ask me how I know).

3. When reinstalling the storage bin, you need to push hard to get it back in place. There is a small latch that has to clear the inside of the center console...it will snap into place when you push hard. The Macarbon instructions will tell you how to take the storage bin out, but doesn't tell you that you need to push hard to get it back in.

4. Buy the non-marring tools that Macarbon recommends. Some of the steps require quite a bit of force, so it's best to use these so you don't ding your interior...I think I paid $10 on Amazon for these tools.

If anyone needs more detailed pictures, PM me. I took a ton of them!!!

 

Put together your pics and the instructions you have and ask the moderators to include your SSK installation as a sticky in the DIY section.

 

Thanks for the writeup! So you went with B&M over OEM? Are you happy with it?

 

I actually went with the OEM SSK. I used the B&M instructions because I couldn't find any detailed instructions (e.g. clear pictures indicating what I needed to do) for the OEM SSK.

Great idea about posting a write-up. Do I just post it here and ask the moderator to put it in the DIY section.