Hi everyone!

I need to replace the shifter indicator assembly (P R N D 2 1) on my 1983 Ford F-150 half ton truck because the indicator isn't working at all?! I'm assuming the small wire cable is broken. Having seen pictures of the indicator itself on this forum I'm sure I can remove it from the instrument cluster but my problem is how do I remove the other end of the cable that leads to the steering column?? Where on the steering column does it hook up to?? I can't find any information on Google or this forum that explains how to remove the entire shifter indicator assembly?? Can anyone provide me with detail pictures or diagrams explaining how to remove the shifter indicator assembly without breaking the small wire cable? I've located a 1984 F-150 half ton truck in a near by scrap yard and the shifter indicator works properly! I want to remove it without snapping the cable!!! I have a C6 three speed automatic transmission. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

 

Take the cover off the column, the one nearest the cluster. You will see the cable tubing is clamped to a part of the column that doesn't move, and the string is attached with a screw to the part of the column that does move with the shifter lever.

This is a really hokey setup, but the other car companies used it also(at least Dodge did). It's just a piece of plastic tubing with a piece of string in it. The cluster is just a box where the pointer slides back and forth. The string is tied to the pointer and there is a spring on the other side of the pointer. The tubing comes down and around underneath the cluster and hooks to the steering column. You can take it off the steering column and pull on the string and make the pointer move back and forth.

There is a slotted adjustment on the column to get the pointer lined up to the right letter in the cluster.

I broke mine in my old truck, and actually used one out of a old 79 granada I had to fix it. I think I had to rig it a little bit it was a different length but I got it working. It's very easy to break it if you don't know about it when taking the cluster out. I have never tried it, but maybe a thick piece of shrink tubing would put a broken tube back together

 

Thank you Franklin2 for answering my post! You're explainations and work arounds have been of great help!

 

I recently fixed mine last month. After removing the display I found that the tubing was broken in several places. I removed the factory wire and then used shrink wrap to repair the tubing. The shrink wrap is flexible, so I then wrapped it in a stronger adhesive. Electrical tape may also be used. I then went to JoAnn's or any other craft store and bought some Jewelry wire. This is strong enough, but is also flexible and does not hold a memory like some other steel wire. I also purchased some crimps from a local hobby store. Usually used for steering mechanisms in remote vehicles. I created the loop and crimped the end in the device and left plenty of slack for attaching at the column. After replacing everything. created a loop at the column, attached it loosely with the nut on the adjustment. I then put the vehicle in drive and pulled the cord until it lined up in "D." I made sure to leave some wiggle room for adjustment and crimped it to hold. I then did a fine tune adjustment. Everything was great. I hope this helps.

 

Do you stop in the middle of something like this and ask yourself "what in the world am I doing?"

 

During the five year restoration of this truck, have asked myself that since I took it apart one day and decided to do it. I have not done an old vehicle restoration since I was a younger man. Those knuckles are not as good as they used to be and I was not used to breathing in rust again.