From Transport Evolved.
There are plenty of benefits for Ford F150 Lightning owners thanks to the truck’s close relationship with the gasoline F150—from shared components to a wealth of aftermarket add-ons.
But the Lightning also inherits one less desirable trait: its massive shifter. Designed to auto-fold so the center console can become a makeshift desk while parked, the shifter is elegant in concept—but in practice, both ICE and EV F150 owners have reported significant issues. In some cases, the shifter can fail entirely, leaving the truck stranded.
To avoid this problem, inventive owners have developed a retrofit: swapping in a rotary shifter from other Ford vehicles. This not only frees up console space for storage but also makes the “desk” usable by a front-seat passenger while the truck is parked.
Today, we’re performing that upgrade on Nikki’s F150 Lightning, complete with a 3D-printed part she designed herself. The result is functionally superior, aesthetically pleasing, and likely the quickest upgrade she’s made to her truck so far!
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*⏱️ Episode Timeline*
00:00 – Introduction – Music: Schütz & Dejado – Moon – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/album/moon/12492
00:58 – This is an easy mod!
03:00 – Taking the old shifter out
04:29 – Timelapse: Music Elifas Sonaru- Pick Your Outfit – https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/song/pick-your-outfit/137454
05:00 – Remember to remove the plug on the cup holder!
05:27 – Why replace it anyway?
07:00 – Unclipping the old shifter
07:34 – A note on neutral hold
08:09 – Assembling the new shifter
08:54 – Timelapse: Music Elifas Sonaru- Pick Your Outfit (see above)
09:07 – Final check before complete reassembly
10:42 – Timelapse: Music Elifas Sonaru- Pick Your Outfit (see above)
10:50 – It’s in!
12:25 – Thanks, and Goodbye!
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*🔗 Links:*
• F150 Lightning Forum – Rotary Shifter Post -https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/stick-to-rotary-shift-knob-conversion-w-3d-printed-rotary-shifter-holder.25541/
• F150 Lightning Form – Compatible Shifters https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/rotary-shifter-part-numbers.29588/
• X1Plus – third-party, open-source solution to Bambu’s new closed-door approach – https://github.com/X1Plus/X1Plus
• Rotary Shifter 3D model – With large cup holder space – https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7081385
• Nikki’s 3D bolt cover piece – print in the same material as the cubby. – http://www.transportevolved.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/F150_Lightning_Rotary_Shifter_Bolt_Plug_Cover.zip
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*👥 Today’s Sponsors*
🌱 Electric Vehicle Association – https://www.myeva.org
⚡ EnergySage – https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-101290941-16952262
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*🎙️ Credits:*
Host: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Camera, Edit, Color: Vi Horton
Art & Animation: Erin Carlie
Producer: Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield
Music: via Artlist.io
© Transport Evolved LLC, 2025
