Here’s today’s mystery: On my newly acquired 98 Ltd. 5.9, the shifter handle is backward. No, I have no idea how it got that way.

Can I just turn it around with a wrench? Or do I need to yank it straight off and then pop it back on the right way? I don’t see a set screw… does it just pull off? Should I be thinking about how to flip the handle, or how to flip the whole lever? Afraid of breaking something….

 

Should be a straight pull up to remove and push to reinstall.

 

should being the operative word. Good Luck!

 

I'm pretty sure it's one of those super basic mechanisms that push a rod down through the shaft. It might even spin around but I wouldn't try to force it.

Hopefully someone didn't accidentally force it on like it is and break it somehow where it needed glued in place

 

I have read about guys putting Grand Cherokee shifter ***** in XJ's.
I always figure if I can find one of the fancy 5.9 ones might give it a try.
It appears to be set up as an XJ one.
See that plastic piece with the tabs in the picture?

Which gives me the impression that it would remove just like an XJ.
Just pull up real hard on it.
But realize snapping some or all of the tabs off that plastic piece is a definite possibility.
25 year old brittle plastic and all.
Oh and try not to punch yourself in the face when it lets loose.
LOL.