Core-Shifter for 3rd Gen V6

I have probably 30k miles on mine with a Ti shift knob and an adapter with zero issues. Just don't go 300lb gorilla on it and you will be fine.

 

Alright, that was my take as well. Thank you. He hit me with a short novel of a response and it scared me, though I'm now more concerned I didn't tighten the bolts down enough after seeing some comments of things loosening up.

 

Chris is cool and all but he definitely has a “my way or the highway” stance. How in the world would the threads snap using one of the brass reducers that convert the threads to Toyota threads??? It’s metal on metal. Anyways, I have a weighted stainless steel/delrin hybrid knob and have never had any issues with the knob or shaft cracking. I’ve even shift pretty hard at times. Use the adapter and enjoy whatever Toyota threaded knob you like.

 

The guy there is a bit of a character..... Blue loctite on the bolts/screws and you are good. .

 

Second this! Blue loctite the screws that connect the shaft to the shifter. Use a jam bolt or shims for the knob and you’ll be set. My setup has been going strong for over 2 years. Oh, I used some sound deadening material (for car audio) around the shaft in hopes of quieting it down. Not sure if it does anything but it was worth a shot. Re-using the stock boot hides it all anyways.

 

What does this thing do?

 

Shortens the shift throws, makes reverse harder to accidentally engage while panic shifting into first at a light. Overall makes the shifting more sporty. To me, one of the things that make my 3rd Gen more enjoyable to drive.

 

Why don't you just make the shifter shorter and be done with it?

 

The shifter has a shorter throw. Not a shortened shaft length.

Edit: First post in this thread gives a pretty good description of this shifter's features.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/core-shifter-for-3rd-gen-v6.589705/

 

I not so polite and fewer words....
No more floppy donkey dong shifter.

 

How short is the throw, ie from 1st to 2nd? I couldn't find it from the link.

 

There aren't exact measurements. The throw reduction is nice, but the real advantage is that it seriously tightens everything up.

 

My experience it becomes floppy when the bushings were worn, hardly the shifter.

 

My truck had like 10k miles on it. I'm pretty confident the bushings weren't worn, but generally yes that is usually the problem for that symptom.

 

You Tube Video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CZEJp4DZla0

 

Toyota actually built 2 rubber isolation rings in the shifter to reduce the noise. I found that out when I cut mine.

Shortened the OEM shifter by 2" and welded it back, any muffler shop guy would do 60 seconds of welding for 20 bucks, it doesn't need to be pretty.

I don't have a measurement for the "before", less than 5" after the chop.

 

so, i installed mine yesterday. order took ~2.5 weeks from placement to delivery, no big deal. I did not order the isolator kit since I didnt read about it until after placing the order. Heres some rambling of my thoughts so far:

• Install overall really wasn't that hard. I've struggled more with easier stuff... as everyone has said the 2 front most bolts are the bitch of the bunch. I found that removing them was actually harder than re-installing. I used a 1/4" wobble extension + universal joint + shortest 12mm i had....worked decently well, but when trying to remove the originals I felt like something was about to snap. I hooked up this same contraption to my big 1/2" drive torque wrench when re-installing and heard a click, so celebrated with a beer and moved on
• Removing the breather hose after removing the bolts is way easier, even though the instructions say it in reverse. Same with re-install...replace breather hose before bolting
• When reading everyones install comments previously, i had no idea what this whole inner boot/outer boot discussion was about, since this was all a first for me. Well, now I know, and to anyone else wondering, its pretty self explanatory once you get to that step. As @poopshute said in his post, 100% easier to just separate the 2 boots and stretch the inner one over the Core tower with it loose. You're not really affecting anything functionally by having them separated
• Agreed with others that 35ft lbs on the 2 stick bolts is way too much. I used blue loctite and felt good about getting them to 25 ft lbs and didnt want to press my luck any further
• I accidentally tore a corner of the inner boot when separating them, but since you have the entire outer boot that hex bolts down on top of it, I just left it, the whole inner+outer deal seems a bit overly robust anyways so a small tear on one corner I dont think will have any consequence whatsoever

As for the noise... well, I didn't install the isolator kit or any deadening material, and I will say it is fairly loud (in all gears, not just 5th+). I naturally assumed that some in this thread were overly sensitive and talking it up, but no, its very present. I mostly drive alone and it doesnt bother me at all, but if you're the type to get annoyed by persistent noise this probably isnt for you. Best description i can give is like a high pitch whirring...like the noise from big tires at highway speed but put thru AutoTune or something, lol

Anyways, with all the above aside, this is probably the best upgrade I've done yet. I absolutely love how mechanical and intentional it is. I agree with the others that have said that if you're one of the guys hanging around the MT BS thread and doing things like the ADM...this is the next step. Worth every penny.

Lastly, I kinda agree with previous comments by @su.b.rat that a lighter, smaller knob feels better. I didnt have an adapter to transplant my TrailBreaker knob so I just used the provided Hurst knob and it feels really nice. I'm thinking I may try to get one of the white TRD pro knobs which have more size/weight than the Hurst and that would be a really good spot for it. Plus my TrailBreaker knob I have serious regrets with (my own fault 100%--not knocking the product), so I may try to offload it anyways.

Ok, now I'm done.

 

What is the isolator kit?

 

I think it's on the website, but it's just a metal plate and a couple pieces of rubber and I think some longer bolts.