My 2012 Rubicon was having problems with popping out of gear. I thought the transmission was going bad. After some research, I discovered the popping out of gear was caused by the factory shift lever contacting the opening in the tunnel or perhaps the center console.
A B&M shifter tower was ordered. The budget would allow me to order the tower and lever at the same time. I figured that the tower shortening the throw should do the trick. The tower arrived and was installed with the OEM lever.
It was an underwhelming experience. A couple weeks later, the Jeep started popping out of gear again. I thought I’d wasted my money.
Turns out the primary problem is in the OEM shift lever. The rubber isolator had been getting soft with time and shifting was sloppy and vague.
A B&M shift lever was ordered and installed and the difference was night and day! The shift tower suddenly came into its own. Shifting gears became clean and precise, clicking into each position.
Together, the lever and tower are amazing. But, if you can afford only one, get the lever. The B&M tower without the B&M lever is a waste of money.
Another option is to clean out the rubber isolator of the OEM lever, drill & cross pin the lever to the mount and fill it with a hard epoxy so the lever don’t flop around. The OEM tower isn’t as good as the B&M tower, but tightening up the lever is a big improvement.
I saw an ad on this site for a Dorman tower. It’s supposed to be more durable with shorter throws than the OEM tower (and I couldn’t find a price) but without an improved lever, it’s a waste of money.
A B&M shifter tower was ordered. The budget would allow me to order the tower and lever at the same time. I figured that the tower shortening the throw should do the trick. The tower arrived and was installed with the OEM lever.
It was an underwhelming experience. A couple weeks later, the Jeep started popping out of gear again. I thought I’d wasted my money.
Turns out the primary problem is in the OEM shift lever. The rubber isolator had been getting soft with time and shifting was sloppy and vague.
A B&M shift lever was ordered and installed and the difference was night and day! The shift tower suddenly came into its own. Shifting gears became clean and precise, clicking into each position.
Together, the lever and tower are amazing. But, if you can afford only one, get the lever. The B&M tower without the B&M lever is a waste of money.
Another option is to clean out the rubber isolator of the OEM lever, drill & cross pin the lever to the mount and fill it with a hard epoxy so the lever don’t flop around. The OEM tower isn’t as good as the B&M tower, but tightening up the lever is a big improvement.
I saw an ad on this site for a Dorman tower. It’s supposed to be more durable with shorter throws than the OEM tower (and I couldn’t find a price) but without an improved lever, it’s a waste of money.