Automatic shifter install into a former T-5 Fox body

SuperStang90

SuperStang90

Club Member
Has anyone installed an Auto shifter, like a B&M hammer into a Tunnel that used to be a 5spd? I've done alot of research and found that the Auto tunnels are about an inch lower then the manual. I converted my car to an AOD a couple years back and havnt been happy with the installation of the shifter (Trim pieces dont line up cause shifter sits too high and to the right) So today I dug into it and for the life of me can not get this son of a bitch in the right spot, and finally realized that the tunnel needs to be massaged or I need to cut one out of an original AOD car and swap them. Im not interested in completely hacking up my car. I've already had to cut some metal out of the stock hole and it still doesnt fit right. I've read that some people hammer the tunnel down about 1" and get the shifter to line up properly, or they mount it from the bottom. Anyone do this? I'm really pissed off right now trying to think of how Im gonna get thia thing to work. I see holcolm sells a plate for a quarter stick shifter but I dont think the shifter will work with an AOD. Or I just havnt found an adaptor kit that says it will work for an AOD, just C4,C6.

Any insight?
 
Yea, that's a tough one. First, beating on the tunnel will work but it requires a little finnese. And it looks a little ugly. Also, if you pound it down too far it won't sit right. The best way to do it is to cut it out and use some sheet metal to fill or use that piece out of an auto car. I know that probably isn't what you want to hear but, it really isn't that tough to do. all you need is a MIG welder, a couple magnets, a grinder (with a 36 grit disk) & some sheet metal sheers. If don't have a MIG, Harbor Freight sells one for about $100. you can even use flux-core wire if you don't to use argon. It is a great tool to add to your collection. good luck! :-)
 
I have it figured out. Pulled the seats and carpet out today. Once thats out you can clearly see that Ford spot welds a stamped "cap" over the existing tunnel which sits about an inch higher then the rest of the tunnel. Once you scrape away the sound deadening and body sealer you can see the spot welds. I drilled them out and the cap comes right off. Some sheet metal needs to be added to the hole because it cut too large for the shifter to mount properly. I made some templates with cardboard and traced them onto a piece of sheet metal and them cut them out with the plasma cutter. With all the searching that I've done I can't beleive someone hasnt wrote about it. I've seen some posts on other forums where people cut the whole tunnel section out and replaced it with an AOD one. I don't really see why people would do that much work if they didnt need to. I need to write up a post for this, so people facing this issue know what to do.
 
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