Shifter Trim Swap

DanHall7979 said:

Love the look and the added dirt protection of the leather boot. All in all how much were the parts including the harness?

Click to expand...

About $180 before shipping. The harness was another $17, but I'll update this once I know for sure the harness works. I had to go to a different Subaru parts site and go to the parts diagram specifically for the Limited and choose the part, which is how I confirmed the part numbers were the same but when I ordered it, the description said "w/boot". So we'll see. All parts I got below list price.

Info below copied from email receipt:
Order Contents:
P/N Quantity Price EA Description
35170FL080 1 $ 121.87 INDICATOR ASSEMBLY
35133FL010 1 $ 58.49 BOOT-SELECT LEVER


Order Summary:
2 products , 2 items $ 180.36
Shipping & Handling to OH, USA $ 22.50
Total
$ 202.86

Agreed. The boot will definitely do a better job at keeping dirt out.

Also noticed in the limiteds, the trim around the cup holder was a satin silver finish instead of black. That trim piece is about $25, not sure what the actual list price is. I happened to have some left over silver vinyl that was almost a dead on match ($2.49 at Hobby Lobby). Cheaper to wrap the piece than to buy it. Matches the trim around the center vents, shifter, and on the steering wheel. I guess this could be considered protective too? Haha

Finally got the correct wire harness for the shifter trim. It's part #81870FL050 and is a direct replacement for the harness ending in FL040. I took everything apart and changed out the harness and tested the shift indicator lights, seat warmers, and Xmode. Everything works as it should. I can have a full write up on this by the end of the weekend, I'll update my first post in the thread once done.

SHIFTER TRIM SWAP WRITE UP

I planned on editing my original post, but for some reason it won't let me. So here's the write up. Had to split this up into multiple posts due to some noob errors while editing my posts.

Below are the parts you will need to "upgrade" your Crosstrek Premium's shifter trim to what is installed on the Limited models. The original shifter knob will work with the boot and does not need to be replaced.

35170FL080 Indicator Assembly
35133FL010 Boot
81870FL050 Adapter Cord Cnsl (Required to light up the shift indicator. If the lights aren't important to you, no need to swap harnesses.)

Tools you may need:
Trim removal tools
Flat head screwdriver (small)
Phillips head screwdriver (medium)

This process is easier with the parking brake engaged, this way the angle of the lever helps out.

First thing you need to do is remove the shifter knob. Use the small flat head screwdriver to pry down the lower cover of the shifter knob. This gives access to the metal clip that holds the knob in place. Remove the clip and DO NOT LOSE THIS. The shifter rod is coated with grease so set it on a piece of paper or something. Just don't get it dirty.




Next step is removing the upper console panel. I've found that it's best to open the center console lid, then use the plastic trim removal tool to create a gap big enough for your fingers. Once you have a good grip, pull straight up firmly but gently. Don't lift it up all the way, just enough to get the parking brake boot a little loose. Finish popping the park brake boot loose. Reach under the rear cup holder and disconnect the harness at the main connector. Now work the rest of the panel loose by pushing up while moving toward the front, all the way to the power outlet and USB port. (The blue clips seem to be snug but after doing this a few times already, they show no signs of getting worn out or cracking.) You should now be able to completely remove the upper console panel, with the harness attached. At this point I removed the very front section (for the storage cubby) to make reinstalling easier.

SHIFTER TRIM SWAP WRITE UP (continued)

Next thing to do is to swap out the harness (adapter cord cnsl). This is only required if you want the PRNDM lights to work. Everything else will still function normally if you leave the original harness, I have confirmed this. If having non-functioning lights bothers you, vinyl wrapping the black portion of the shift indicator is an option. Do not try to connect the original harness to the new shift indicator, it will not fit. Unplug the harness from the shift indicator, X-mode button, and seat heater switches. Next, locate all 3 spots where the harness clips to the bottom of the upper console panel. Use the small flat head screwdriver to dislodge the clips. Simply reinstall the new harness using the same holes and reconnect the X-mode and heat switches.

SHIFTER TRIM SWAP WRITE UP (continued)

Locate the 4 phillips head screws holding the shift indicator to the upper console panel. Some of the screws may be covered by a black felt material, the screws will break through this during removal. Install the new shift indicator. Connect the final plug on the wire harness to the shift indicator. (The boot is already installed in the next few pics, as this was not the original install. I didn't want to risk damaging the boot so I left it on for the write up. It's definitely possible to install the boot before putting everything back together, but I recommend installing the boot last as it may be easier that way.)



Now it's time to reinstall the upper console panel. Make sure you connect the harness to the main connector at the rear. With the park brake boot moved out of the way, line up the upper console panel with the lower section and snap it in place from rear to front. Then reinstall the storage cubby floor. You can now snap in the park brake boot. Almost done!



The shift boot is likely inside out in the package. Guide the shift rod through the hole at the top portion of the boot. The bottom clips into the shift indicator, there's only one way it will fit. Carefully slide the shift knob into the rod without getting grease everywhere. Now reinsert the metal clip. Pull up on the shift knob to make sure it's secure. Now pull the shift boot up and it should snap into the bottom of the shift knob. Start the vehicle and make sure everything functions. If something doesn't work, sorry I have no idea what to tell ya.

Just did this! Paid $204 online for the 3 parts before shipping. Looks great, thank you @KineticBoom80 for the write up!

Just an update on the swap. I noticed over time the gloss black was getting scratched up. Also, depending on the angle of the sun, it can be blinding. So I took everything apart. Then disassembled the shifter plate itself and wrapped the black portion with carbon fiber vinyl that almost matches the dashboard trim exactly. Then I got carried away and also took apart the shifter knob, wrapped the silver part in carbon fiber and covered the shiny black piece with matte black.

cherrytrek said:

How does the shifter knob come apart to wrap it? I am trying to vinyl wrap the glossy part and can't seem to get a good finish on the edges with it still assembled. I can't tell how the silver and gloss black trim pieces come off and I don't want to break it. Any pointers would be much appreciated!

I also plan to wrap the shifter plate, but that looks straightforward to disassemble once removed.

Click to expand...

Shift Knob Disassembly:
For anyone wondering about how the shift knob comes apart, I bought a used shift knob to experiment with and figured it out. It is not really made to come apart and go back together, but you can make it work. The gloss black part is glued on and clipped it. It is difficult to not break the clips. The silver trim is just captured under the gloss black part. I used some butyl rubber to stick the shifter back together and it's holding well. Butyl rubber because I had some (peeled it out of some sound deadening mats) and it is removeable if need be.

I disassembled the shifter plate trim as well to get complete coverage and clean edges with the vinyl. I used Satin Black 3M 1080 vinyl. I made a uniform L-shaped cutout with a vinyl plotter at my local library's Maker Space for the shift indicator lights. Very happy with the result! Now it's much easier to keep clean and looking nice.