Well I decided to start the install tonight, just to see if the bitch clip would give me any trouble, and it came disattached from the top of the trans easily enough, however, either I'm doing things in the wrong order, or the retaining pin is seized in the carrier, bc no amount of pulling the retaining pin/clip out has loosened it yet.

The small metal piece attached to the clip that "latches" on the trans is loose on the pin, so it rotates freely, but the pin itself does not rotate. Will have to thank 10 years of salt exposure for the weak pin most likely.

I have a small C-clamp so I might try to press the pin out from the other side, I find it hard to believe that just because the linkage is still attached inside the car that it is putting some sort of "pre-load" on the shifter arm and not allowing the pin to be slid out. Must just need some extra persuasion.

The rod joint doesnt seem like it would be hard to remove and replace with the shifter arm out of the way, you're just doing it blind is all, I may pick one up (since I need a new clip anyway), if I'm breaking my back to get this stupid friggin retaining pin out and get GD aka Ryan the measurements for a DSSR, then I might as well do the joint too. One things for certain, this isn't a job you want to do multiple times, I have small hands which actually pay for themselves for once, but the space is extremely tight.

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2018 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins 68RFE
19k miles -Bright White/Black - Big Horn Sport - Crew Cab Short Bed
2013 X5 35D (CEO's) - Born on 5/17/2013 -
82k miles - Alpine White/Cinnamon Brown/Premium Pkg, Sport Activity/Premium Pkg and Sound/20" Style 214/Running Boards