DJEccentric

Thanks for the post! This backwards factory shifter is driving me nutz!!

jdom07

Many thanks to the OP for this awesome idea and for taking the time to post a DIY.

I hope my experience helps answer some of the questions that have been asked in the past. Read through the whole thing before you get started - it helps a ton as you're going along.

The tools I used:
- A small flathead screwdriver
- A super small flathead screwdriver (like what you'd use for eyeglasses, or what you can get in an electronics screwdriver set... you might also get away with using a simple thumb tack or safety pin...)

Note: To do this mod, I chose to remove the pins from the wiring harness itself and swap them. Some people have chosen to instead cut the wires without dismantling the harness and splice them back together. I didn't want to cut wires, and I was comfortable removing the pins - but do what is best for you.

Note also: I did my work in the middle of Texas summer with no shade in a black car... I figured out very quickly you CAN keep your car running for the first part of this DIY (taking apart the center console)! You only need to shut the vehicle off when you start playing with wires.

7AT Owners: According to another poster, this mod works for your car as well. I am under the impression the wiring harness, wire colors, and wire locations are all the same. In fact a wiring diagram for your car was posted earlier, however the color codes confused me and didn't SEEM to match up to what is in my car. That said, disassembly is pretty easy - so it wouldn't take much to open up your center console and see.

Here we go!

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/1_zps3cf79913.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_1_zps3cf79913.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1_zps3cf79913.jpg" style=""></a>
Start by pulling straight down on the silver part shown.


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You will expose the metal retaining clip.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/3_zps372a456b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_3_zps372a456b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3_zps372a456b.jpg" style=""></a>
Use something small to pry that clip straight back (towards the rear of the car). It has some grease on it, so BE CAREFUL TO SUPPORT IT FROM THE REAR AS YOU PRY, as it WILL shoot off! Now put your car in neutral - and don't forget to put the emergency brakes on!!

jdom07

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/4_zps64461740.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_4_zps64461740.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4_zps64461740.jpg" style=""></a>
After you have your car in neutral and the brakes applied, you can remove the shifter **** by pulling straight up.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/5_zpsf55603a9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_5_zpsf55603a9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5_zpsf55603a9.jpg" style=""></a>
Next, get your index finger up inside the shifter boot as shown so you can pry that piece surrounding the shifter straight upwards. I used my thumb for leverage.

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It will pop up as shown.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/7_zps14767011.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_7_zps14767011.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 7_zps14767011.jpg" style=""></a>
You can slide that piece out now by pulling backwards and upwards on it. It slides straight over the shifter.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/8_zpsc901fa28.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_8_zpsc901fa28.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 8_zpsc901fa28.jpg" style=""></a>
I propped it up to the side as shown.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/9_zps292db4a3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_9_zps292db4a3.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9_zps292db4a3.jpg" style=""></a>
You can now replace the shifter **** (just slide it on for now, no need to secure it) and put your car in Park.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/10_zpsa60e7200.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_10_zpsa60e7200.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 10_zpsa60e7200.jpg" style=""></a>
Now slide the piece shown forwards just a bit, towards the front of the car. In this photo I think it's actually further forward than it needs to be, but you get the idea.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/11_zpsce4a035d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_11_zpsce4a035d.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 11_zpsce4a035d.jpg" style=""></a>
Now lift up on the front portion - it snaps in place by some plastic clips, so you'll feel some resistance as you pry and you'll have to actually pop it out. It shouldn't take a ton of force, so be patient and if it gives you problems try sliding the peice a bit forwards or backwards and trying it again.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/12_zps2618b666.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_12_zps2618b666.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 12_zps2618b666.jpg" style=""></a>
Now place it to the side with the other piece.

jdom07

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/13_zpsf90ae6be.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_13_zpsf90ae6be.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 13_zpsf90ae6be.jpg" style=""></a>
Now we're finally done disassembling and we're where we need to be. The arrow shows the harness that we'll be working with. NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO SHUT YOUR CAR OFF if it isn't already.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/15_zpsd379dc19.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_15_zpsd379dc19.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 15_zpsd379dc19.jpg" style=""></a>
You shut your car off, right? Now remove the harness by depressing the tab shown. (I think you would push it to the right in this photo - if not, my bad... try it the other way.)


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/16_zps2714fcff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_16_zps2714fcff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 16_zps2714fcff.jpg" style=""></a>
FINALLY! You've got this badboy out! You can see here the BLUE and PURPLE wires... those are the ones we need to switch! But to do that, we have to disassemble the wiring harness a bit. (You can also cut the wires and splice them back together, which will work just as well. You'll need more tools and parts, though.)


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/17_zps486656de.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_17_zps486656de.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 17_zps486656de.jpg" style=""></a>
Flip the plug towards you. There is a plastic "gate" in the front that you need to remove by sliding it straight up, as seen in the next picture. (That small screwdriver comes in handy here.)


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/18_zpscfd27302.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_18_zpscfd27302.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 18_zpscfd27302.jpg" style=""></a>
After you've pushed it up as shown, it should be easy to remove.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/19_zps65a753ab.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_19_zps65a753ab.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 19_zps65a753ab.jpg" style=""></a>
Next, the piece shown above with the red arrow needs to be "unlocked". To unlock it, pry it upwards with the screwdriver, in the area shown by the yellow arrow.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/20_zpsb1c184a7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_20_zpsb1c184a7.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 20_zpsb1c184a7.jpg" style=""></a>
This is what it looks like after you've unlocked it. Now, it needs to slide back towards the wires (see next pic).


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/21_zps50e52fac.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_21_zps50e52fac.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 21_zps50e52fac.jpg" style=""></a>
It is now "unlocked" and ready for you to remove the wires.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/22_zpsfe117054.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_22_zpsfe117054.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 22_zpsfe117054.jpg" style=""></a>
Flip the harness around so you can see the pins. Shown here are the wires as they are ORIGINALLY FOUND.



(I did this mod a couple of months ago, so this part is hazy... if it's wrong, please let me know and I'll try to update the post!)


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/23_zpsc314c627.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_23_zpsc314c627.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 23_zpsc314c627.jpg" style=""></a>
Here is the harness with those two wires removed. Check out the plastic tab circled in red - that little piece is actually what locks those pins at the end of the wire inside the harness. You can see how at the tip it hooks upwards - that hook will grab on to the pin and hold it in place.


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/24_zpsace8c2e9.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_24_zpsace8c2e9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 24_zpsace8c2e9.jpg" style=""></a>
To release the tab (and thus free your wire for removal), take your tiny screwdriver/thumbtack/safety pin and depress it down. At the same time, apply a bit of pressure on the wire from behind and push it further INTO the harness. Once the tab is fully depressed, pull back on the wire to remove it from the harness. IT SHOULD SLIDE OUT WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. If it doesn't come out with NO effort, it is still secured somehow and forcing it out is a very bad idea.

Once you have both wires out, swap them. When sliding the pin back into the harness, you should feel it click back into place. Give it a light tug to make sure it's secure!

Once you know the wire is securely back in place, reassemble the harness and plug it back in. You can put the console back together and give her a test drive!

jdom07

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/FYI1_zps9ddd2f42.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_FYI1_zps9ddd2f42.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FYI1_zps9ddd2f42.jpg" style=""></a>

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/FYI2_zps5cd5bdab.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_FYI2_zps5cd5bdab.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FYI2_zps5cd5bdab.jpg" style=""></a>
NOW - some people have asked about having the "-/+" symbols reversed... I took it apart as shown above, and the "+ - P R N D" symbols are actually painted onto the back if that clear plastic piece, and I found virtually no way to even cover them up (much less actually reverse them).


<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/FYI3_zps6e0e9531.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_FYI3_zps6e0e9531.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FYI3_zps6e0e9531.jpg" style=""></a>
Since I already had it disassembled, I cut small pieces of black heat-shrink wire insulation and used it to mask the LED lights that illuminate the "+/-" symbols. But that only helps at night (see below, the +/- signs are no longer illuminated from below), as during the day the symbols are still visible. My opinion: not worth taking it apart to cover up the LEDs, but do as you will.

<a href="http://s269.photobucket.com/user/jdom07/media/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/photo2_zps7a888722.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj63/jdom07/Motorcycles/G37%20Shift%20Reversal%20DIY%20for%205AT%207AT/th_photo2_zps7a888722.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo photo2_zps7a888722.jpg" style=""></a>

I welcome any suggestions and corrections. I will do my best to update this post if somebody finds any glaring errors - but no guarantees that it will be prompt, as it took me 2 months to make time to finish this write-up as it is!

Darth Kinetic

does this DIY apply to the 7 AT ( 2012 Xcoupe)?
thanks!

jdom07

I would guess the same concept applies for your car, but I would absolutely want to be sure you were swapping the correct wires. I don't know how to figure out which wires are the ones you need to swap, though... sorry...

OneSickBlackG

Anyone have the DIY to remove the center console for the 6MT coupe?

Chop

Very informative @jdom07, thank you! Does anyone know how to get the metal retaining clip back on securely? I tried to put it back, but now if you pull up the ****, the whole shifter goes up, so I'm guessing the clip is not on securely. How do I fix this?

Bravo at

Done. Took 40 minutes today. Pics and instructions worked out great.

Initial B

I can't wait to do this...it's just ridiculous that most car companies get this wrong (besides BMW & Mazda). They probably do it to dumb things down for people who are not into racing or performance driving, but those people probably aren't shifting for themselves anyway.

I corrected the shift pattern in my IS350 with the Tom's GT Shifter mod, but they only make them for Toyotas.

Thanks for the how-to, gentlemen!!

rs98

I just did this for my 7at and it went smoothly, thanks for the writeup

spoolin03

thanks for bumping this thread. I may do this mod as well

rp_guy

Did it on my 7AT as well. Took a while to get used to the new direction.