Atlas Xterra Installation

2005 & up Xterra & Frontier Atlas Install

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Installing the shifter into the vehicle

It is recommended that the front seats be temporarily removed to aid in installation, but they can be left in place if desired. It is more convenient when assembling the console with the seats removed. Disassemble the center console. Start by pulling up on the cup holder and removing it.

Next lift up on the shifter finisher and remove it.

With the top of the console removed, remove the rear section. Remove the 3 screws that hold the front and back sections of the console together.

There are 2 more screws that hold the rear of the console in place as well.

When all 5 screws have been removed, separate the front and rear sections of the console. The console will need to be lifted straight up about half an inch to release it from the front part of the console. Once it is separated, the electrical connection needs to be disconnected. The park brake boot is secured to the handle with an O-ring, it will slide off. The front lower console does not need to be removed. The shifter does not need to be removed.

The transfer case mounting plate measures 5” x 6”; we used ¼” aluminum plate. You will also need M8x1.25 studs 3” long. You will also need 9 matching nuts; we used serrated locknuts and avoided using washers. Follow the layout provided and don’t forget to double check your measurements.

Start by assembling the shifter as per the instructions provided with the cable shifter kit. DO NOT INSTALL THE CABLES AT THIS TIME. Just assemble the shifter from the shift knob to the shifter barrels. The cables will be installed later. It is easier to build the shifter base without the cables installed for now.

Build a pedestal above the airbag control module using the provided diagram. The shift barrels should be facing the rear of the vehicle. Do not secure the shifter to the mounting plate at this time (the photos were taken after we determined where the shifter should go for our application). Next to the parking brake handle there is the airbag control module.

It is secured using 4 bolts. Remove the 3 M8x1.25 bolts (12mm wrench) and replace with M8x1.25 studs 3” long. Leave the single M6 bolt (10mm wrench) alone.

Use 3 nuts to secure the airbag module to the floor.

Use 3 more nuts on the studs for under the mounting plate.

Use 3 more nuts to hold the mounting plate from the top.

Install the plate over the studs and secure with 3 more nuts. Note that the nut under the shift barrels will be close, it may be necessary to thread the stud further into the floor for clearance.

Modify the cup holder

The cupholders need to be removed from the trim. Use a body saw or other convenient method of cutting plastic. Try and make the cut clean as it may be seen when finished. There is a convenient line on the cup holder about 1” from the very top. You will also need to remove the hole in the lower console that the center tab clipped into. We used a body saw with a fine tooth blade.

Starting with the cup holder removed from the vehicle; note the lip about an inch down from the top. Try to leave this lip in place for a ledge to set a new finisher plate on to.

Trimmed cupholder. Cut as a large oval.

At this point mock up the center console. Assemble the console (no screws needed at this time) and check for fit. The plate can be adjusted to set the height of the shifter as needed. The console body will need a little trim to clear the shifter as well. It is the tab that locates the clip between the 2 holes of the cup holder.

Mark the shifter lower cover to the mounting plate. A trick for marking the location of the shifter onto the shifter plate: Only put the 2 upper pieces of console trim on. The cup holder/shifter finisher can be aligned off the front finisher. This will allow you to locate the shifter base cover onto the shifter plate front to back and side to side. It can be marked from the side since the console body is not in the way. Attach the bottom cover of the shifter to the shifter mounting plate. The shifter will now be mounted in the correct location. Height was adjusted with the 3 studs on the mounting plate. Front to back and side to side was located by mounting the shifter base to the mounting plate.

The old cup holder can now be finished off by trimming a filler plate that will fit down on the step inside. We used a piece of aluminum scrap that was on hand, trimmed it to fit, wrapped it in material then epoxied it in place from the underside. Height should already be set using the nuts on the studs but can be adjusted as needed. Finished shifter (minus the cables for now).

Shift cables

Start by marking a location on the floor as noted in the picture below.

Use a hole saw with 1-1/8 bit and drill 2 holes through the floor. Keep the holes as close to the console mounting bracket as you can. You will be drilling into a floor support channel, so do not go all the way through, just the top layer of sheetmetal. When you have drilled 2 holes connect them using a reciprocating saw or cut off wheel.

Use a file and de-bur the holes to prevent damage to the shifter cables.

When finished the shift cables will route through the floor like this.

And come out under the floor out the side of the channel like this.

The cables need to come out the passenger side, not straight down through the middle. By coming out the side the shift cables clear the driveshaft and are looped over the top of the transmission and will turn back to enter the front of the Atlas on the Drivers side.

The storage bin of the console will need to be clearanced for the shift cables as well.

Mark a line about halfway up from the storage bin floor.

This is about where the cut out will need to be. The front of the console has a half round (square cut is also OK) and the lines run to the back of the storage bin. Only the front (half round) and the bottom need to be removed, the back and sides do not interfere with the shift cables. Cable positioning may affect the cut line.

The console storage bin should have a new floor built up and installed as well. Make a pattern out of paper to fit. Trim some metal or plastic to the pattern. Attach to console to raise the floor to clear the shift cables.

Finish installing the complete shifter. Make sure there is clearance between the heims and the shifter body in 4HI and the cables don’t run out of travel in 4LO.