A few years ago URD purchased a 2005 Tacoma X-Runner for product development. We love The truck, but we disliked the OEM shifter. We took the shifter assembly out of the truck and immediately saw a problem. There was a clearance issue in the assembly that caused parts inside to bind before the gears were completely engaged. Furthermore, the throw on the six speed shifter is long, and it can be tough to shift into some gears. URD decided to provide a solution to address both issues.
We tested other brands of short shifters in our test trucks. Although these other brands have a nice crisp short shift, there is a lot of noise and vibration that is transmitted through the shift lever into the cab.
This is because the other designs replace the entire shift lever. The stock shifter is really two parts bonded together with a rubber-like material. This deadens sound as well as vibration. It was clear that we wanted to retain this very important feature.
Another problem with other designs is an unnecessary complex installation requiring grinding and disassembly of the shifter pivot ball (while fighting a stiff spring in the process). URD\’s short shifter is very simple to install.
This simple approach has an extension that slips over the end of the stock shifter and a spacer plate that easily installs between the transmission and shifter assembly. The whole installation process can be completed in about 20 minutes.
Shifts are short throws; about 44% less. Gear engagement is improved. There is no known downside here other than taking a more effort to override the detent spring to engage reverse. This is the serious improvement that you have wanted since the first time you drove your six speed.
frsgonz (verified owner) –
What a difference from the stock shifting, much shorter, more crisp, this was installed on a 05 Tacoma.
wmg3 (verified owner) –
Waited months for this kit to be back in stock. It was well worth the wait. Not sure about other reviews about instructions. Mine came with none or i threw them out by mistake. I simply did a YouTube search and found help. Install went well. Very little pain. Only difficult spots were removing original shifter bushing and breaking the RTV seal to remove the shifter. I used a crescent wrench head to pry the bushing off and a block of wood and a hammer to break RTV seal. Other than that a piece of cake. Took me about an hour but I spent time cleaning my console parts. Prior owner must have wasted something on it. Huge improvement over stock. Huge. Well worth the time and money..
URD Edit-The install instructions are on the product page for download.
r34p3r666 (verified owner) –
Finally went ahead and pulled the trigger on this short throw shifter kit I had been eyeballing for a long time for my TRD Supercharged 6-speed 2012 Baja TX Tacoma. Man, I wish I had gotten this years ago! The sloppy long throws have been reduced to laser-like crisp short throws! The shifts click into place with a solid THUNK, and I can still shift gears with one finger as before. I’ve also noticed that the shifter no longer bounces around when in neutral (re-used original bushing). Money well spent on a great product, well done guys!
pasha1987@hotmail.com (verified owner) –
Got the URD shifter that I have been wanting it for a sec. About to go test my 2011 Xrunner with the shifter. Just wanted to mention two things before I forget, 1) on pg 9 of the install it says to take off the original plastic bushing thing off of the OEM ball, just wanted to recommend for anyone that has high mileage to go to your local dealership and get a new one. Here in Sacramento I got it for like $10. The reason I recommend it is because I’m just fell apart when I took it out. It had a cut going around the circle almost making it into two peaces. Wish I could post some pics. And 2) on pg 13 it says if the dowel pins if stuck in the transmission pull them out with needle nose. Well idk if its just me but when I pulled one of them out, well it went into the transmission. Thankfully I had a magnet and pulled it out but I was shitting bricks for a sec. So maybe put some rag or something so it wouldn’t fall down the hole. But over all very satisfied. Time to go test be back soon……………
URD Note- We have modified the spacer plate so you do not need to remove or swap over the dowel pins any longer.
insanerocketkid (verified owner) –
I’ve owned my 07 Tacoma with the 6spd for about 5 months now and I have planned on getting the short shifter for a while. I finally pulled the trigger and it’s the best purchase I’ve ever made and I wish I had done it sooner. The shifting feels so crisp and clean now and it shortened the throw up a significant amount. It took me about 20 mins to put it in and the instructions packet that comes with it is detailed enough for anyone to do with some basic tools. The parts felt amazing and I honestly could not recommend this product to enough people. It’s worth every penny. 10/10! Well done URD! I am loving it so far! (For anyone who has read on forums that it’s difficult to get into reverse, it really isn’t. It feels just a tad tighter than factory, but it isn’t the arm workout that some people have made it out to be)
troythompson (verified owner) –
About a week into driving the install, was planning on the URD short shifter all along. The URD Short Shift Kit = Fantastic! The original owner said it wasn’t this good new.
So Great Job URD! -Troy
James Lnu –
I love the performance upgrade that added to the car thanks again I appreciate it