Idea - Rotary Shifter Cover/Shroud - 3D Print Individuals Assist?

[dusty1787]

All,

I have searched a bit ( I am not an expert by any means) and have not come across this item anywhere...both on this site and general internet. If you have seen this before or know of something please let me know. Otherwise...I have seen on here (and even on amazon) a cover made for the buttons below the rotary shifter...but nothing for the actual rotary shifter. And that is what I am thinking about. (I attached a photo of the cover for buttons below rotary shifter for reference)

I actually dont mind the rotary shifter, but I am always worried about accidentally bumping it or something falling and hitting it while driving (like reaching for a drink in cupholder and didnt take eyes off road and reached down to it and brushed against shifter). To my understanding, there is supposed to be a safety system in place that the truck wont do damage to itself if it is accidentally moved/spun while driving. While I do not want to actively try that (and possibly ruin something) I figured what about making something almost like a cap/cover to just be placed over it to stop any spinning from happening, but can easily be removed/placed back over when needed.

It may need to have a tiny bit of weight to it so that on a normal road/rougher road it wont fly off the shifter, but something that could just be placed over it to prevent it from being spun. It does not have to be permanent (unless it can be designed that way) but just something that could be placed over for when it is needed. I think this would also be able to be applied to any of the fords with the rotary shifter (for those looking to make a profit)

I used to have my dog ride shotgun with me in my old Escape with the center column shifter, and I would just place my arm/hand resting on the shifter to deter her from wanting to move to my side to look out window. I would just raise my elbow up and block her. Seeing the vehicles are designed different and the rotary shifter is just out in the open, I am also worried if I have my dog shotgun she may step towards me, or stretch, or wag her tail and spin it and cause issues while driving.

The issue is that I do not own a 3D printer nor know how to design things to even find someone to give the file to. Is there individuals on here who would be able to attempt to make something like I am imagining? I could care less about if its textured/artistic/creative... just looking for some sort of cap/cover to be placed over it to stop the potential spin while driving that I can place over it when needed. If it has to have some sort of flap that goes down the driver side to hold it in place or something, I dont mind, just a simple place it over and you cant spin the shifter is all.

Thanks all! I hope that all makes sense and that someone on here could assist!

TL: DR - Looking to see if there is any individuals on here who have a 3D printer and can design things to create some sort of cap/cover to go over the rotary shifter (just when it is needed) to prevent potential spinning of it while driving.

Sponsored

 

[HeyBales]

Since it's all electronic and nothing mechanically is getting moved except the dial, there is no fear of a bump causing problems.

Ever opened the door while running in Drive but sitting still foot on brake? - see what happens. (ETA - not running actually, couldn't recall as I don't use it)

The systems knows when there is movement and won't allow an actual change to the transmission that would cause a problem.

Remember teaching the kid to let a reverse come to full stop before throwing into D on automatic - not a problem now. (ETA - I'd still teach correctly for when they jump in a different vehicle)

Wouldn't be surprised if an actual safety issue covering up what may be needed in an emergency.

Seeing someone sitting on railroad tracks that just made a stupid decision, now they are fiddling with reaching the shifter to attempt a save but stupid cover in the way.

 

[scottjl]

Ever opened the door while running in Drive but sitting still foot on brake? - see what happens.

did that last week on accident. nice feature. couldn't implement that, easily, with a standard shifter.

the electronic shifter is pretty cool with my auto-park in my 2023 escape. eerie how it controls the wheel and shifting between drive and reverse while i just hold down a button.

 

[brkr12002]

I was hoping something was coming out that was 1 piece for that hole section. The folding top for when you need to hit one of the buttons and something that covers the dial and could flip up. Could be designed to just drop in. That part on amanzon needs double sided tape I believe . I had in my mind something like the dash storage that you can drop in and not need tape. Would also protect the dial from any drinks that spill, which I've read can cause issues

 

[dusty1787]

I was hoping something was coming out that was 1 piece for that hole section. The folding top for when you need to hit one of the buttons and something that covers the dial and could flip up. Could be designed to just drop in. That part on amanzon needs double sided tape I believe . I had in my mind something like the dash storage that you can drop in and not need tape. Would also protect the dial from any drinks that spill, which I've read can cause issues

I didnt look too much into the button cover or anything, just know that there is something designed for it.

My thought in general is that this isnt a permanent item that would need to be double sided taped down or anything. Just when I would take dog with, or have kids in back, or road trip, I can just place it over the shifter and keep driving. then when the trip/journey is over to lift it right back off.

I personally dont need it when I am driving alone/short trips but with other people/things, it would be an extra security feature. to be honest I also have a tire pressure gauge in my glovebox...does anyone else? because if so...why would you keep one in the truck when the truck tells you the tire pressures? i guess that mentality is the same reason why I was asking about a cover for the shifter

 

[HeyBales]

I didnt look too much into the button cover or anything, just know that there is something designed for it.

My thought in general is that this isnt a permanent item that would need to be double sided taped down or anything. Just when I would take dog with, or have kids in back, or road trip, I can just place it over the shifter and keep driving. then when the trip/journey is over to lift it right back off.

I personally dont need it when I am driving alone/short trips but with other people/things, it would be an extra security feature. to be honest I also have a tire pressure gauge in my glovebox...does anyone else? because if so...why would you keep one in the truck when the truck tells you the tire pressures? i guess that mentality is the same reason why I was asking about a cover for the shifter

Smart to have one.

Because the manual mentions the readout in TPMS is NOT to be used. It can be delayed, it may not update until driving, it may not be accurate as an actual gauge.

I guess a dog jumping around and on dash for a stalk shifter just goes to L.
But a pull-back shifter could be pushed into N or 2/L, at least R needs a thumb press many times.
But at least our rotary is smarter than that.

For some dogs I see running around inside a car while driving - I'm surprised there aren't more issues. I know for driver it can't be good to have this little, or not so little, distraction right in front of steering wheel.

 

[Carlitos_92]

For some dogs I see running around inside a car while driving - I'm surprised there aren't more issues. I know for driver it can't be good to have this little, or not so little, distraction right in front of steering wheel.

Exactly. The reason having a loose animal inside a moving vehicle is dangerous and inconsiderate to other drivers has nothing to do with the shifter itself. But boomers are gonna boom...

 

[Tbone289]

Exactly. The reason having a loose animal inside a moving vehicle is dangerous and inconsiderate to other drivers has nothing to do with the shifter itself. But boomers are gonna boom...

Yeah, I don't get it. Lots of people have complained about their dogs hitting the shifter and buttons, but mine are always seat-belted into the back seat for my safety and theirs.

Sponsored