I hated them as well after renting a Chrysler 300s, but after I got used to it, it's super convenient. I just wish they would've put it on the dash or something to give you more console space.
Definitely, but I do personally prefer it where it is. Driving a standard in my youth, I’m at my most comfortable with my hand resting there. I would balk at a knob or dial outright though. Just preferences I suppose
I thought I wanted the shifter in the center console when I was shopping around. The truck I ended up getting had it on the column and I felt like I was making a compromise with that as the truck had most everything else I wanted. Fast forward to today and I'm so glad that it's on the column. The added space in the center is amazing and I don't even know why I wanted it there to begin with.
I believe they can be converted - but you need to research the parts and harness needed. There was a tutorial / kit somewhere on the market for my 2016 at one point I remember.
Using the shifter as a hand rest is a clear sign. Everyone i knows that drove a manual for an extended period of time still keeps their hands on the shifter
That explains so much! I have selector on the column in my truck. I always have my water bottle in the console with my hand on it. I also used to drive a manual.
And that probably also explains why grandpa used to drive with his hand on the selector all the time. It used to drive my dad nuts but I’m sure grandpa learned a three on the tree.
Sports cars like Camaro mustang challenger are not, and any German made linkage shifter really hates additional pressure ie all jeep and most bmw/Subaru/Audi. We can also include the very few put in full size trucks. I’d say those make up a large portion of the recent manual shifters in the US that are not cable actuated.
So basically just the Asian brands that aren’t Subaru or most of Toyota are cable.
VW, Honda, Toyota cars, every manual Subaru except for the discontinued STI, the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator, all use cable actuated shifters. Considering how low the take rate for manual sports cars is (e.g. Corvette, EcoBoost Mustang, and all of Audi don't even offer it anymore) and the fact that no full size trucks have been sold with a stick in years I think you're less and less likely to find linkage shifters in the wild unless you're specifically looking for one.
Column shift on my 2020 3.5 and like it that way. Great for manual shifting in the mountains especially when towing. I know console shift has it too, I just like the location relative to the steering wheel, brake controller, steering wheel controls, and so on. Just keeps things in close proximity.
See, I like the console shifter for the position of the manual buttons. My hand rests there naturally anyway from years of driving stick so the buttons are right under my thumb. Don’t even have to move my hand.
Have you used sport mode while driving through the mountains? Its not perfect, but the added throttle response gives me a smoother feeling. I know sport mode tends to keep lower gears engaged longer. I don't know if its only in my mind, but I feel more engine break in the mode and I feel it let's me control the vehicle with the throttle more often than the break. I might be completely wrong and I'm just flying with reckless abandon through the mountains though
I have and yes, I notice a difference but it still doesn’t give me what I need with engine braking. Depending on which pass I’m crossing I’ve learned the gear ranges that seem to work best. Sport mode won’t do what I need crossing 10k ft dropping into a valley. Manual shift is an absolute must have.
My work truck has a column shifter, my personal truck has a console shifter. One of the things I dislike about the column shifter is that it conflicts with the phone holder clipped to the AC vent. The shifter knob partially blocks the screen of the phone.
I like the console shifter because I like the way it looks. In fact, when buying the past few trucks a column shifter was a deal breaker.
Hate column shifter.
Center shifter feels nicer to use, looks nicer, and is a nice hand rest.
Honestly don't see any reason to do a column shifter.
With the amount of space with the center shifter has I find the whole waste of space thing kinda baseless... Unless you trying to balance a pizza box or laptop on the center console at all times.
Grateful to have a truck, I could care less about where the shifter is.
Now you guys have three options to argue at, being pro column, pro console, or pro both 👋
Absolutely.
The shifter on the console is sportscar poseur bullshit that has no place in a pickup truck. The column lever doesn’t take space that could serve some utility purpose, the console shifter does.
My 2009 has the shifter on the column. The good news is that I’m now priced out of the truck market, so I don’t really have to worry about getting one with a console shifter.
I drove a Dodge Ram 1500 with a knob on the dash as a shifter. That was a horrible experience. I prefer the column shifter as well but the Drove mode buttons on the shifter is a nice feature.
Word I much prefer the column shift. Plus it feels like a truck and not a car like you said. The only drawback is every time I get in the GFs car I just about haul her wiper shift off
I personally won’t buy an F-150 unless it has the floor shifter. I love driving with my left hand at 12 o’clock and my right hand on the gear shifter. Personally having the column shifter makes it feel like a work truck and I wish the higher trim Super Duty’s would have the floor shifter too.
If you really hate the floor shifter you have two options. You can convert your truck to a column shifter or just trade for a super duty.
That drinking style is for posers and burnouts who want to be like vin diesel. Everyone I've ever met that drives like that (or has that preference) has been a real douche.
I'm sure your the exception though.
Column shift with dual full-power captain chairs and a massive center console, FTMFW!!
I would take a dial over a console shifter. I enjoyed the clean look my Fusion had with the dial.
I'm currently a 2009 Ridgeline owner with a column shifter and I hate it. When I purchase a F150 it will have a console shifter. All previous vehicles I've owned had console shifter and for me it's nicer look and feel, plus I don't need a 6th seat.
It's not impossible to swap if you want to but I get what you're saying.
Edit: *not* impossible. So sorry... It's actually quite easy and I just can't type.
At first I thought the column shifter was so old school, but I have come to really like it. The only worry is an HVAC vent is partially blocked by the shifter, and I wonder if it will overheat.
Definitely. I don’t understand why some models have column and some have in the middle. I have column and bench seat. I wish it was column with center console
The worst part is the the column shifter is standard on the xl trucks and the only thing available on the super duties. I would much prefer it to the console shifter.
I can see the value in having a column shifter but in my brain that makes me think of an old truck instead of my newer state of the art truck. I've also always been a car guy and so when I bought my first truck I wanted the console shifter. All personal preference I think. I say get what you like. Unfortunately that isn't always possible depending on the trim though. Might be better to get a lower trim and then put in the leather seats and stuff you want that it is missing to get that column shifter.
When I was truck shopping in 2020, I intentionally avoided the shifter on the column. I personally prefer the look of the shifter in the large middle console area. I also didn't want the bench seat in the front.
The trucks with the shifter on-column are out there though... I'm sorry you had to settle. Hopefully you'll grow to not mind it so much.
If I needed a truck I would love the column mounted shifter because it’s the only type of shifter I can operate with my right hand.
When they stopped making most Ford vehicles with column mounted shifters I was sad.
When they started putting **dials** in their vehicles instead of console shifters, I wanted to throttle the engineers who came up with that idea and challenge them to operate the damn things with a right hand that **can’t twist** 😑
In a truck I prefer a column shifter, but in a car it feels weird. I have a friend with a retired cop car and it has a column shifter. It just feels weird in that situation. But I daily an 07 XLT and the column shifter just feels more natural to me. Though I can't relate with the center console being a waste of space, I actually prefer having a full center console in any vehicle.
I hate it, too. 100% dealbreaker in a pickup. The only non-column selector that I like is (I know this is sacrilege, but) the rotary selector on the Ram. Combine that with flappy paddles and I'd be happy.
There’s a reason the Super Duty only has the selector on the column. That’s how God and Henry Ford intended pickup trucks to be.
The absolute worst configuration is the bench seat with manual shifter on the floor. Anything the middle seat is used, that passenger is either straddling the shifter making shift awkward or cozied up to the other passenger. My uncle had an F150 regular cab like that and would have my cousin shift for him starting from around 5 years old.
I definitely would rather the column shifter than the console but it doesn’t really bother me as much as I thought it would. Although ironically I’m taking the column out of my 93 but only because it’s getting a manual.
A country song...
Verse 1
I just got my 23, bought a King Ranch F150
Dream truck for me, of that there's no denyin'
But this gear shifter in the middle, it sure ain't my style
I'm stuck with it, but I just can't reconcile
Chorus
Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle?
Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle
Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column
It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done
Verse 2
It's like a sports car in a truck, outta place and outta luck
If only they had kept things like they used to be
The King Ranch F150 is still my dream truck
But this gear shifter in the middle has to go free
Chorus
Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle?
Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle
Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column
It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done
Bridge
It's hard to drive when you just can't get used to it
This situation makes me so fed up and blue
The factory shoulda never put it there
And now all I want is for them to make it right again
Chorus Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle? Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done
I love my F150, but I can't stand the floor shifter. Having a female sit in the middle is a plus, but it's really the lack of space you have. My old one I could drop it down if I needed a flat surface and fold up if I needed extra space. Does anyone know someone that swaps it out, shit I'll pay.
It does make getting dome more difficult…
Life uh… finds a way
What is the dome feature and how do I get it?
Where is the magnet for the pussy? -Borat
Get a girlfriend or wife that isn’t a prude
[удалено]
Tbf my wife isn’t a prude and that’s not how I seduced her, just a joke
You should know better than to make *jokes* on reddit
That was no joke
Lol, the subtext here is that your wife knows your reddit handle and the explanation is for her, not r/f150
Wrong, just coming clean that I’m no better than mr 666shroom666king666 simply bc I knew what dome meant haha
What your wife do that isn’t prudish
You have to ask your wife's boyfriend first
Why? The switch is on the headliner.
Still better than a dial or button, but I definitely understand the sentiment.
Oh, I absolutely hate the dials. Every time I rent a car with one, a little piece of me dies.
I hated them as well after renting a Chrysler 300s, but after I got used to it, it's super convenient. I just wish they would've put it on the dash or something to give you more console space.
On the dash in ram 1500s
I had to Google it and yup, makes perfect sense there by the 4wd selector. So much more center console space. Some might even say twice as much haha
Look at older 4th gen shifters that whole area is now console space
Definitely, but I do personally prefer it where it is. Driving a standard in my youth, I’m at my most comfortable with my hand resting there. I would balk at a knob or dial outright though. Just preferences I suppose
I thought I wanted the shifter in the center console when I was shopping around. The truck I ended up getting had it on the column and I felt like I was making a compromise with that as the truck had most everything else I wanted. Fast forward to today and I'm so glad that it's on the column. The added space in the center is amazing and I don't even know why I wanted it there to begin with.
I believe they can be converted - but you need to research the parts and harness needed. There was a tutorial / kit somewhere on the market for my 2016 at one point I remember.
I use the top of the console shifter as a place to rest my right hand while I’m driving. For that reason alone, I prefer it.
My 15 has a fold down middle seat which functions the same as a center console. I like having the option for a 6th seat
Part of the reason I went with an XLT was for the sixth seat. That and the cost lol.
XLT Gang 😎 The silent majority
Got the 21 lariat with that option. Why the stopped that option on higher models is incredulous to me
It also makes you feel like you’re actually shifting unlike stupid buttons or a little dial like a ram.
Well the other alternative is on the column
Is someone a former manual driver?
Guilty. Lots and lots of shifts.
Using the shifter as a hand rest is a clear sign. Everyone i knows that drove a manual for an extended period of time still keeps their hands on the shifter
That explains so much! I have selector on the column in my truck. I always have my water bottle in the console with my hand on it. I also used to drive a manual. And that probably also explains why grandpa used to drive with his hand on the selector all the time. It used to drive my dad nuts but I’m sure grandpa learned a three on the tree.
It’s interesting though because it’s often hard on the syncros to rest on a manual shift shifter.
Most manuals from the past 10-15 years are cable actuated shifters and resting your hand on them doesn't hurt anything
Sports cars like Camaro mustang challenger are not, and any German made linkage shifter really hates additional pressure ie all jeep and most bmw/Subaru/Audi. We can also include the very few put in full size trucks. I’d say those make up a large portion of the recent manual shifters in the US that are not cable actuated. So basically just the Asian brands that aren’t Subaru or most of Toyota are cable.
VW, Honda, Toyota cars, every manual Subaru except for the discontinued STI, the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator, all use cable actuated shifters. Considering how low the take rate for manual sports cars is (e.g. Corvette, EcoBoost Mustang, and all of Audi don't even offer it anymore) and the fact that no full size trucks have been sold with a stick in years I think you're less and less likely to find linkage shifters in the wild unless you're specifically looking for one.
I love the console shifter. To each their own.
It's just another area that gets dirty and is a pain in the ass to clean, if you are going to have a floor shifter it should be a manual
You clean your truck? Fugging commie.
My F250 has a shifter in the middle. It’s a five speed with a V 10. It’ll pass anything but a gas station.
Unless it’s the viper v10, it’s not passing a whole list of things including the gas station.
My 16 xlt has the tree branch shifter and a bench seat, I absolutely love it, more floor space. A 3rd seat and arguably more storage
I think all trucks should have column shifters.
I miss my grandfathers 59 Apache with 3 on the tree.
I thought I was going to want the console shifter but I enjoy the added storage and phone holder. I do wish I had that folding lid workspace though.
Find a wrecked one with it and swap them out. My truck has it but the shifter is usually in the way
Column shift on my 2020 3.5 and like it that way. Great for manual shifting in the mountains especially when towing. I know console shift has it too, I just like the location relative to the steering wheel, brake controller, steering wheel controls, and so on. Just keeps things in close proximity.
See, I like the console shifter for the position of the manual buttons. My hand rests there naturally anyway from years of driving stick so the buttons are right under my thumb. Don’t even have to move my hand.
Have you used sport mode while driving through the mountains? Its not perfect, but the added throttle response gives me a smoother feeling. I know sport mode tends to keep lower gears engaged longer. I don't know if its only in my mind, but I feel more engine break in the mode and I feel it let's me control the vehicle with the throttle more often than the break. I might be completely wrong and I'm just flying with reckless abandon through the mountains though
I have and yes, I notice a difference but it still doesn’t give me what I need with engine braking. Depending on which pass I’m crossing I’ve learned the gear ranges that seem to work best. Sport mode won’t do what I need crossing 10k ft dropping into a valley. Manual shift is an absolute must have.
I went 302A non-sport specifically to get column shift with center console. Best combo IMO. Second best is column with seat, third is console shifter.
I like the shifter in the middle. Been used to it all my life. But my wife's explorer with the knob, I do not like. Still weird to me.
My work truck has a column shifter, my personal truck has a console shifter. One of the things I dislike about the column shifter is that it conflicts with the phone holder clipped to the AC vent. The shifter knob partially blocks the screen of the phone. I like the console shifter because I like the way it looks. In fact, when buying the past few trucks a column shifter was a deal breaker.
Hate column shifter. Center shifter feels nicer to use, looks nicer, and is a nice hand rest. Honestly don't see any reason to do a column shifter. With the amount of space with the center shifter has I find the whole waste of space thing kinda baseless... Unless you trying to balance a pizza box or laptop on the center console at all times.
10&2 are your hand rests.
I bet you use your hands to signal a turn as well
Grateful to have a truck, I could care less about where the shifter is. Now you guys have three options to argue at, being pro column, pro console, or pro both 👋
Right where I am. First truck (2010 STX) and I don’t know shit about it. I hope to one day have an opinion.
Absolutely. The shifter on the console is sportscar poseur bullshit that has no place in a pickup truck. The column lever doesn’t take space that could serve some utility purpose, the console shifter does.
My 2009 has the shifter on the column. The good news is that I’m now priced out of the truck market, so I don’t really have to worry about getting one with a console shifter.
Yeah I just got a 2010. That’s about as much as I’ll spend. STX. Basically a nicely optioned XL. I do like it though.
Personally I’m the opposite. The column shifter is a complete deal breaker. I’d rather have little buttons or a dial shifter than a column shifter.
I prefer the sports car feel with the gear shifter in the middle. I am also not opposed to a dial in the middle like the Expedition.
I agree, would much rather have the space for storage
Totally agree
Xlt with column shifter & bench seat here. It’s surprising how useful that 6th seat is when driving a pavement princess.
I drove a Dodge Ram 1500 with a knob on the dash as a shifter. That was a horrible experience. I prefer the column shifter as well but the Drove mode buttons on the shifter is a nice feature.
Column shift or position. The ford console shifter jus stupid. It’s a giant plastic thing that’s nothing more than a switch, and wastes space.
Word I much prefer the column shift. Plus it feels like a truck and not a car like you said. The only drawback is every time I get in the GFs car I just about haul her wiper shift off
You are not alone. I’ve had both a couple times. Column shift is superior.
I personally won’t buy an F-150 unless it has the floor shifter. I love driving with my left hand at 12 o’clock and my right hand on the gear shifter. Personally having the column shifter makes it feel like a work truck and I wish the higher trim Super Duty’s would have the floor shifter too. If you really hate the floor shifter you have two options. You can convert your truck to a column shifter or just trade for a super duty.
That drinking style is for posers and burnouts who want to be like vin diesel. Everyone I've ever met that drives like that (or has that preference) has been a real douche. I'm sure your the exception though.
Honestly I can’t argue with anything you said. I still think column shifters are for plebs though.
I hate shifters on the column.
But why
Because I like the console shift???
Was just curious to see if there was an actual utility reason as to why lol
Lol. My last 2 have been console shift and I just prefer it. To me column shift belongs on the OBS F150’s I’ve had in the past.
Agreed. I went from the center shifter to a column shifter and it's so much better.
Column shift with dual full-power captain chairs and a massive center console, FTMFW!! I would take a dial over a console shifter. I enjoyed the clean look my Fusion had with the dial.
I thought I wouldn't like a column shifter, seeing as I was used to the centre console, but I really love the jump seat and extra floor space.
Yah i like truck that is truck.
The worst thing about the KR is the logo everywhere, the console shifter is low on list
It’s only on the doors, the floor, the steering wheel, the dash, the seats, the tailgate, the side badges. It’s not that bad 😂
Not me. I sold probably the last stick shift I'll ever own. The center shift is a nice comfort spot for my right hand (when I'm driving alone).
That's exactly why I buy the STX.
I'm currently a 2009 Ridgeline owner with a column shifter and I hate it. When I purchase a F150 it will have a console shifter. All previous vehicles I've owned had console shifter and for me it's nicer look and feel, plus I don't need a 6th seat.
Ridgeline stuff
It's not impossible to swap if you want to but I get what you're saying. Edit: *not* impossible. So sorry... It's actually quite easy and I just can't type.
That's not totally true. Someone posted her a month or two back, showing that they moved the shifter from the center console to steering column.
Isn't that exactly what I said?
You said it's impossible.
Oh shit lol. I meant to say it's NOT impossible. What an idiot. Thank you.
At first I thought the column shifter was so old school, but I have come to really like it. The only worry is an HVAC vent is partially blocked by the shifter, and I wonder if it will overheat.
It’s cooler
Nothing beats the flip up middle seat for truck hunting. I can fit all my guns in the front and access them immediately.
My 23 Lariat has a button next to the shifter that you can push and the shifter folds down. You can do it while parked or driving.
You cannot fold it down while in gear/driving. Ironic that a button exists to fold the shifter down because it’s in the way.
column shifters are for mom suvs... you ll never find a king ranch with a column
Thats where they were originally on the KR.
yea they dont make new ones
And thats a shame
All Super Duties are on the column. Quite the mom suv there huh sport?
Definitely. I don’t understand why some models have column and some have in the middle. I have column and bench seat. I wish it was column with center console
The worst part is the the column shifter is standard on the xl trucks and the only thing available on the super duties. I would much prefer it to the console shifter.
Just get a bench seat
I love column shifters, like on my '12
Got a Jeep with a center console shifter, had it for 8 years, no complaints
I can see the value in having a column shifter but in my brain that makes me think of an old truck instead of my newer state of the art truck. I've also always been a car guy and so when I bought my first truck I wanted the console shifter. All personal preference I think. I say get what you like. Unfortunately that isn't always possible depending on the trim though. Might be better to get a lower trim and then put in the leather seats and stuff you want that it is missing to get that column shifter.
Thanks sports car dude
When I was truck shopping in 2020, I intentionally avoided the shifter on the column. I personally prefer the look of the shifter in the large middle console area. I also didn't want the bench seat in the front. The trucks with the shifter on-column are out there though... I'm sorry you had to settle. Hopefully you'll grow to not mind it so much.
Non truck guy doing non truck things with new truck
I like mine having it in the center console. But I personally do not like column shifters.
Gawd I miss my old “three on the tree”
Yea total bs - I got a 21 with the bench, and as questioned at first now lauded lol
If I needed a truck I would love the column mounted shifter because it’s the only type of shifter I can operate with my right hand. When they stopped making most Ford vehicles with column mounted shifters I was sad. When they started putting **dials** in their vehicles instead of console shifters, I wanted to throttle the engineers who came up with that idea and challenge them to operate the damn things with a right hand that **can’t twist** 😑
In a truck I prefer a column shifter, but in a car it feels weird. I have a friend with a retired cop car and it has a column shifter. It just feels weird in that situation. But I daily an 07 XLT and the column shifter just feels more natural to me. Though I can't relate with the center console being a waste of space, I actually prefer having a full center console in any vehicle.
Front row Bench seat option is better not sure if it’s available on King Ranch.
What is this 1950? Column shifters are for peasants
I hate it, too. 100% dealbreaker in a pickup. The only non-column selector that I like is (I know this is sacrilege, but) the rotary selector on the Ram. Combine that with flappy paddles and I'd be happy.
I mean can't you order a king ranch with column shifter?? pretty sure you could few years ago!!
With as similar as the cabs are between the 150s and Supers I’d say there has to be a way to swap them over
There’s a reason the Super Duty only has the selector on the column. That’s how God and Henry Ford intended pickup trucks to be. The absolute worst configuration is the bench seat with manual shifter on the floor. Anything the middle seat is used, that passenger is either straddling the shifter making shift awkward or cozied up to the other passenger. My uncle had an F150 regular cab like that and would have my cousin shift for him starting from around 5 years old.
I definitely would rather the column shifter than the console but it doesn’t really bother me as much as I thought it would. Although ironically I’m taking the column out of my 93 but only because it’s getting a manual.
The extra storage of the column shifter just means more room for clutter. Love my console shifter
A country song... Verse 1 I just got my 23, bought a King Ranch F150 Dream truck for me, of that there's no denyin' But this gear shifter in the middle, it sure ain't my style I'm stuck with it, but I just can't reconcile Chorus Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle? Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done Verse 2 It's like a sports car in a truck, outta place and outta luck If only they had kept things like they used to be The King Ranch F150 is still my dream truck But this gear shifter in the middle has to go free Chorus Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle? Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done Bridge It's hard to drive when you just can't get used to it This situation makes me so fed up and blue The factory shoulda never put it there And now all I want is for them to make it right again Chorus Am I the only one that hates having the shifter in the middle? Can't find no solution to keep me from feelin' this riddle Down to my soul I miss the shifter on the column It ain't right when things don't fit like they oughtta be done
I love my F150, but I can't stand the floor shifter. Having a female sit in the middle is a plus, but it's really the lack of space you have. My old one I could drop it down if I needed a flat surface and fold up if I needed extra space. Does anyone know someone that swaps it out, shit I'll pay.