column shift to floor:: shift..auto trans

It is unlikely that installing a floor shifter will fix your key problems - not to mention the hassle of finding the right spot in the floor, cutting the hole, returning to the wreckers for the bits and pieces you forgot to get - I'm not sure if the floor shifter requires a different lever on the side of the trans and these can be 'interesting' to change.

s far as replacing the stock cable.... it is pretty straightforward for someone with medium skill and familiarity. I suggest purchasing a manual for the van... since you want to put many miles on it and it is 12 years old, the manual will likely pay for itself in short order.

-- Jim Warman snipped-for-privacy@telusplanet.net

As always, Sound advice from Jim.

I might also add that I used to own an Aerostar with a floor shift (89) and it had NO INTERLOCK at all. on the shifter.

This may seem trivial, but my next-door neighbor left his van in drive one day when he pulled into his garage. A short time after exiting the vehicle, it began to roll backwards, and came to rest in the living room of the neighbor across the street ! Fortunately nobody was hurt.

Luckily I never had such a mishap, however I *did* miss putting it in park once while getting out in a haste. Leaving the unit in Reverse (and no park brake) Fortunately it only rolled a few feet on semi-level ground.

At any rate, I don't know if Ford put interlocks on later vans or not, but it's something to think about !

good luck!