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wm Johnston · 09-14-2017, 12:32 AM

Just after purchasing a used 2001 bounder on the F53 Ford chassis I incurred a failure of the transmission shifter cable. Wouldn't be a big problem except that they aren't available anymore. Ford discontinued the part back as far as 2009 based on blogs that I found. The part number F81Z7E395-AA was used in the 1999 to 2003 chassis. It appears that the cable often is hanging to close to the exhaust pipe and melts the casing, which mine did, and as of yet I do not have a solution for the problem. If anyone knows of a reproduction of this cable I would certainly like to hear from them, or if someone has found another solution for this problem.
Just a warning, might want to check on how close your cable is to the exhaust pipe.
Wm (Bill) Johnston

rk911 · 09-14-2017, 04:53 AM

check with Lichtsinn Motors in Forest City IA and Colaw Salvage in Carthage MO.

TeJay · 09-14-2017, 06:48 AM

Bill,

Because it has been an issue you may not be able to find an exact replacement. When you said you had a failure you didn't say what happened. Is the cable sheath melted and the cable won't move?? Did the cable just break??

I know what I'd do if it were me. I have not had one off so I'm not exactly sure what is on each end. That should really not matter. Take the broken cable off. With it off and both ends available you know the total finished length.

If the sheath is melted that will need replaced. Based on the cable diameter that will control the needed size for the sheath. We just bought a brake cable sheath from Redi-Brute to set up a different TOAD for the RV. It came with a 8' long cable. If you need the sheath that might be what I'd use.

You have both ends and cable so you can measure the diameter and find a piece of replacement. Get an extra foot or two to allow for what ever needs to be done to clamp end two pieces to the ends.

You can find cable crimps the same place you found the cable. The box stores have them. You might find a hitch shop that makes safety cables nd they can help as well.

With the crimp and two fitting for the ends put the cable through the sheath and install the ends making sure the finished cable is the correct length. If you don't have the skills I'm sure some shop can do it for you.

I've made dozens of these over the years for various applications and never had even one come apart. Just installed out brake inertia cable with a turnbuckle so I can adjust the cable length for towing.

To prevent the cable from breaking again install some asbestos heat shield so the exhaust won't melt the cable on your RV. That's all Ford did to solve the problem. Now they route the cable further away from the exhaust.

Pirate · 09-14-2017, 07:03 PM

Maybe this?

FORD F53 F3TZ7E395B SHIFTER CABLE MOTOR HOME CHASSIS 1990-1996 118 INCHES LONG | eBay

EricV · 09-14-2017, 07:30 PM

https://www.easyparts.com/Parts/Tran...rd/F81Z7E395AA

Mark- · 09-14-2017, 08:39 PM

I did some searching, just because I am curious, and only found this as a patch.

I have the same problem if you use a v10 1998 cable it is .750 inches to short but if you put it on it will give you drive neutral reverse but no park i with my son who are both machinists areworking on an ettention which will give you park rev drive but no2 3 on the colum i still drive mine this way you just use emerge brake to park i came home from az to canada thus way and am leaving for a family motor coach rally next week
(Ford F53 automatic transmission shift cable - Discussion on Topix)

Seems the main options are find a scrape or make/get made a custom cable.