FRPP Shifter Handle Installation

[6-Speed]

I replaced my stock shifter handle with a Ford Racing polished stainless steel handle with white ball knob PN M-7213-K. IMO, the white ball shift knob is a timeless classic. The handle/knob did not come with any instructions - so here is how I installed it.

I still have my stock shifter and just changed the stock handle and knob to the FRPP ball knob. The knob seems to sits back more while in 2nd, 4th and 6th gear. I always felt the stock knob was too vertical in those gears.

1. Pop off the bezel - it pops off really easy with a plastic prybar.


2. Unscew knob and remove boot/bezel, then pull the knob out of the boot.
The boot collar fits over a notch at the base of the knob. It may be easier to unscrew the knob if you start by pulling the boot collar down off the base off the knob allowing it to turn freely.



3. Remove stock handle bolts using a 13mm wrench. Suggest putting a towel around the console opening to keep from marring the edges in case the wrench slips.


Here's the FRPP handle next to the stock handle:


4. Remove the knob and jam nut from handle FRPP handle. Bolt on the FRPP handle to the shifter stub. The torque spec for these bolts is 26 lb-ft, but I torqued them somewhere between 22 and 25 lb-ft.
Update - a suggestion was made to apply some medium strength thread locker (blue loctite 242) on the bolt threads before installing due to vibration.


5. Insert the grommet on the handle and push it down to desired position. Install the boot/bezel over the handle but leave it loose for now. Pull the boot opening over the grommet such that it fits in the notch. Screw on the jam nut - with the hex nut side down. Then snap the bezel back in the console. Screw the jam nut all the way down, then screw on the ball knob. You'll have to play around with the knob and jam nut until the shift pattern lines up. Then tighten the jam nut against the ball with a 14mm wrench while holding the ball in the desired position.



And here it is complete - I love the look:

[6-Speed]

The handle does transmit some buzzing noise to the cabin at around 2000 rpm since it is bolted metal-to-metal to the shifter stub. I have read where others placed some thin rubber between the handle and shifter stub and had some success eliminating the noise but I have not done that. I like the firmness and responsiveness of the metal-to-metal contact.

Also since there is no offset like in the stock handle, the FR handle sits back a little more - perhaps making it easier to reach and making it more noticable that it's in 2nd, 4th and 6th gear.

[Joe G]

Thanks 6speed.

Another simple, yet good looking mod.

Those are my favorites!


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[Birdman]

I love the look as well....nicely illustrated too. Thanks for posting.

One note though, because of the vibration transmitted from the transmission the use of loctite on the two mounting bolt threads is a must. Not sure if you did that or not so I thought I'd mention it.

[TOMMY GUN]

Is that what is in the KR.

I heard people say the KR shifter looks like a Hurst shifter, that looks similar.


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[2COKEMAN]

Great write up, I thought about it as well, looks easy enough?

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Is that what is in the KR.

I heard people say the KR shifter looks like a Hurst shifter, that looks similar.


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Yes it does but the Hurst shifter does have a bend in it which enables you to put it more in the stock position if you choose but it has to be used in conjunction with the Steeda shifter set up.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by Birdman

I love the look as well....nicely illustrated too. Thanks for posting.

One note though, because of the vibration transmitted from the transmission the use of loctite on the two mounting bolt threads is a must. Not sure if you did that or not so I thought I'd mention it.

Good point with the loctite. I was concerned about vibration as well so I got two stainless washers and split lock washers from ACE Hardware and installed them under the bolt heads.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by 2COKEMAN

Great write up, I thought about it as well, looks easy enough?

Thanks, it is a very easy installation.

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

Is that what is in the KR.

I heard people say the KR shifter looks like a Hurst shifter, that looks similar.
.

Blue Oval advertises it as follows:
"same shift handle and knob used on the GT500KR but with the ford racing logo".

However, I am not sure how true that statement is after reading an article in the current Shelby Annual about building the KR. Pictures and statements in the article lead me to speculate that there's some unique noise damping features in the KR shifter handle design that don't exist for this one.

[6-Speed]

This handle is also available with a black finish and black knob - PN M-7213-J

Ford Racing Performance Parts [M-7213-J]

Here's a link for the M-7213-K (white ball)

Ford Racing Performance Parts [M-7213-K]

[cheftjpeck]

great wite up...what it the price of the knob...$195 seems really high.....did you buy your from dealer or blue oval....if you ordered how long it take to receive it....this is a definite for me..I love the look of the white knob...not too crazy on the black knob plus I read that the black shows scratches really easy....

PS red or blue loctite....thx....see I keep copying you 6-speed......you and birdman...

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by cheftjpeck

great wite up...what it the price of the knob...$195 seems really high.....did you buy your from dealer or blue oval....if you ordered how long it take to receive it....this is a definite for me..I love the look of the white knob...not too crazy on the black knob plus I read that the black shows scratches really easy....

PS red or blue loctite....thx....see I keep copying you 6-speed......you and birdman...

That price is for the shifter ball and the shaft (no jokes!).


Max can get a good price on that FRPP stuff.


Loctite - I think blue is fine. It'll hold well, but you can still remove with tools. Red is a b*tch to get off.


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[SpeedRacer]

Originally Posted by Joe G

That price is for the shifter ball and the shaft (no jokes!).


Max can get a good price on that FRPP stuff.


Loctite - I think blue is fine. It'll hold well, but you can still remove with tools. Red is a b*tch to get off.


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Bought mine at Summit and attached with Blue LocTite. No issues so far...

[TOMMY GUN]

[6-Speed]

Originally Posted by cheftjpeck

great wite up...what it the price of the knob...$195 seems really high.....did you buy your from dealer or blue oval....if you ordered how long it take to receive it....this is a definite for me..I love the look of the white knob...not too crazy on the black knob plus I read that the black shows scratches really easy....

PS red or blue loctite....thx....see I keep copying you 6-speed......you and birdman...

I bought mine from Blue Oval. Look around and you can find it for much less than $195 (BVM, Capaldi Racing, Blue Oval). Delivery time varies with supplier, but I got mine within a 2 weeks. I don't care too much for the black handle/knob either.

I like to use the blue medium strength loctite (Loctite 242).

[TOMMY GUN]

PM Max, he may have these available also.



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[gr8snkbite]

a pic of mine. got the ball at grabberpony. i likey...

[cheftjpeck]

so question.....once you do this switch...can you buy different shifter balls.... (let the jokes fly) whats the thread of the FRPP shifter?

[cheftjpeck]

Originally Posted by gr8snkbite

a pic of mine. got the ball at grabberpony. i likey...

that looks nice...does it have the gear pattern engraved in the top.....will the thread of that knob fit the FRPP handle.....and would that knob fit the stock handle...although I cant imagine it would look right without any shifter handle sticking out of the boot....