Dorman 697-024 Manual Trans Shift Tower Kit Compatible with Select Jeep Models (OE FIX)

Ever since we got our 2017 Jeep Wrangler, it has had problems with staying in reverse. We have taken it to Jeep and to a different mechanic. Jeep played dumb and acted as though we were the first to have this problem, but they claimed to have fixed it when we took it in. It was slightly better, but still popped out enough to grind quite regularly when attempting to back up. The other mechanic thought he had gotten it, but said the next step was to open the transmission. It worked more or less for a few months but became problematic again. Reading different forums, I discovered this!This Jeep has basically been my daughter’s car since she learned to drive (I hate automatics, so she got to pick her poison, as long as it was a manual). She loves the car, but is so embarrassed when in pops out of reverse and makes the lovely grinding sound. She has trained herself to hold it in reverse when backing up, but if it doesn’t seat properly, it still pops out and grinds.When I saw that we weren’t the only ones with issues and that there were solutions that seemed to work, I decided to give this a try. I chose the Dorman for two reasons: 1) It was a better price and 2) It didn’t have as big a reduction in throw as the B&M. It is, after all, a Jeep. My FJ60 has a very different feel than my Jetta TDI, as it should.Anyway, I am game to try to DYI almost anything. Other than issues getting the shifter stick off the old tower, everything was great from topside. Unfortunately, I couldn’t undo the bolts with the tools I had in order to lower the transmission for the insulator. My daughter had to get back to college, so I got creative. I cut the insulator at the thinnest part and pushed it into place from under the car. I couldn’t get it fully wrapped around, so I used a tiny wedge from the old insulator to fill the gap, again, pushing it into place from the bottom. It is sealed all the way around (confirmed from the topside before closing everything up) and the road noise is less than before.The difference in shifting is amazing. So positive! I wish my Landcruiser felt like this! We are having a little problem figuring out exactly where reverse is, but I only put it in yesterday, and it has a smaller throw, so I suspect that may be part of it.My daughter is super happy that she won’t get those strange looks from it grinding and popping out of gear (mostly from kids who don’t understand cars with three pedals). She feels pretty cool driving her manual Jeep. Now she feels even cooler and more confident!

The OEM shifter kept popping out of gear on our Wrangler, so I decided to give this a try.Installation was straightforward and it works great. Shifts are firmer, but not chunky, it stays in gear and overall just feels so much more solid than the worn out OEM unit.If you're having issues with your JK, then I'd suggest this along with a transmission fluid change.Just be sure to have an extra jack and/or jack stands and maybe an extra pair of hands to help make install easier.I'm not a professional, but a garage DIYer and it took me maybe two hours.

I like that this is cheaper than another well known option. It is expensive and difficult to install, lots of things that must be done before you install. Watched some YouTube vids on install of the other well known option. You do get a new foam donut. The foam is very stiff. To help install the donut I massaged/beat it up a bit to get it softer. Not kidding. Then I zip tied it resemble a “8” in order to get it through the opening easier. Cut and pulled out the zip tie when most of the foam was in position. Shifts feels shorter and firmer. I paired this with a shifter stick that was also an alternative brand to a well known option. Happy with this purchase.

Dorman says this shift tower fits 2005-2018 Jeep Wranglers with an NSG370 Manual Transmission, however the cab and center console design of the 2005 & 2006 TJ models with a 4.0 6 cyl engine are different than the JK's and TJ's with a 2.4 4cyl engine, therefore this DOES NOT FIT because it hits the center console which is higher.. I have been working with Dorman on this specific model and engine configuration issue, they have shown interest in making a prototype modification this specific model and engine. As of right now it seems there are no aftermarket shift tower products for 05-06 with 4.0 engines, so if your shift tower allows the gears to pop out then your only option is try and find another crappy oem shift tower until B&M or Dorman make one.

I installed this on my 2005 TJ, I am in the process of welding up a new center console and decided to try this shift tower fix. The stock shifter as you know has a sloppy feel to it, This product fixed everything wrong with the stock one. It bolted right up, I didn't have to drop the back of the transmission or gas tank like the JK's. The results were short solid shifts no more miss shift's due to lack of feel in the shifter. It moves the shifter back a bit but that's not a problem in my case as I'm making a new center console that will fit my needs better. The best part is reverse gear is easier to find too. I also removed the rubber from the base of the shift stick and welded it directly to the piece that fits over the top of the shift tower. I've been driving the Jeep for about two weeks now and enjoy the positive feel.I've been driving with this shift tower for more than a month and absolutely love it. positive shifts, good feel for what gear your in. No more jumping out of gear or missed shifts. I've been driving manuals all my life and this is one of the best feeling shifters that I've used.

I had my transmission out and figured why not upgrade my shift tower while I'm under there working on stuff. Hadn't driven the Jeep much with the OEM shift but it definitely is tighter as less wobbly. Not the same as my short shift civic but hey!

The item arrived timely. Was faulty at a fixing hole and faulted during installation. Even supported by 3 bolts only it shifted gears well. Refund requested and approved. Due to proven good operation performance it was reordered hopingthe fault was an isolated case only.

Nice HD part. It shifts like a truck and less like a wet noodle. Really grabs the gear and reduced. Transmission noise. Gaskets were a plush pillow and sturdy rubber Gasket.

Do not buy this without also getting a Mopar foam isolator. The one provided in this kit is carved from stone. There is no way it is getting compressed and squeezed into the gear shift opening in the trans tunnel. I tried pressing it together to see how much it would compress and it cracked - I tried heating it up with a heatgun, no movement at all. I'm sure it works if you have the gearbox of the jeep out - but it can not be done with your transmission dropped slightly as shown on youtube.