Vehicle console with built-in vehicle transmission shifter having cable tension adjustment mechanism and method

A method of adjusting the tension of a shifting cable for a vehicle transmission to be attached to a shifter assembly located in a vehicle console comprising:

• providing a first cable connector extending from the transmission of a vehicle;
• providing a console in which a shift lever assembly is pivotally mounted, said shift lever assembly having a pawl and a shift lever cable connector adapted for connection to said first cable connector;
• providing a detent element in said console, said detent element having a plurality of detent notches for receiving said pawl at various gear positions, said detent element being arranged before completion of the assembly of the console in a vehicle to move within said console;
• providing a trim plate mountable on said console and having a locking member engagable with said detent element and console for locking said detent element to said console;
• setting the transmission of said vehicle to one of said transmission gear positions;
• setting said pawl in one of said notches corresponding to said one of said transmission gear positions;
• moving said console with shift lever so as to connect said shift lever cable connector to said first cable connector extending from said transmission;
• moving said detent element while said pawl is set in said one notch to adjust the tension in said transmission cable;
• and
• therefore moving said trim plate to engage said locking member of said trim plate with said detent element and console to lock said detent element in place relative to said console.

A method of installing a floor console for a vehicle in which said floor console is located a shift lever mechanism including a shift lever to which is attached a shift lever cable connector for connection to a transmission cable connector of a transmission cable, said shift lever positional in one of several different gear positions in a detent element provided for locating the shift lever in said several different shifted gear positions comprising:

• initially movably mounting said detent element in said console movable relative to said console with said lever in one of said different shifted gear positions;
• moving said console in place in said vehicle while causing said shift lever cable connector to mate and connect with said transmission cable connector of said transmission cable;
• moving said detent element and said shift lever together while said shift lever is positioned in said one gear position with respect to said detent element to adjust the tension in said transmission cable;
• and
• thereafter locking said detent element to said console.