Custom Paddle Shifter Bracket & Harness Install (REX9271's Kit)

[SCY7H3]

Alright guys, so here's the long awaited DIY write-up of Rex9271's custom made paddle shifter bracket installation

Available for the following Infiniti years and models:

EX / QX50 (2008 - 2014 model years)
FX / QX70 (2009 - 2014 model years)


IMPORTANT NOTES - READ FIRST!

NOTE 1: Steering column assembly must come with power tilt option.
NOTE 2: Verify your steering column requires this bracket before purchase. Some production runs do come with the mounting points already present on the steering column. See figure A & B for visual reference.
NOTE 3: Verify if the factory harness for the paddle shifters is present (See Fig C). Even with the factory mounting points, the wire harness may not be factory installed. Record shows 2009 year model has both.
NOTE 4: There has been production variations in the 2013 FX where some come with the factory mounting points while others come with a harness taped underneath the steering column. Verify your prior to ordering.
NOTE 5: Removing the steering wheel is not required and does not make the installation easier, just longer.


Step 1 - Verify bracket and wire harness requirements


Fig A - Showing OEM paddle mounts, no bracket necessary (Wire harness may be required):


Steering column view - Left





Steering Column View - Right






Fig B - Showing missing OEM paddle mounts and wire harness, REX9271's bracket and wire harness required:


Steering column view - Left





Steering column view - Right





Fig C - Showing factory harness taped up underneath steering column ready for an easy plug-n-play setup







Step 2 - Required Parts


REX9271's Paddle Shifter Mount/Harness Kit

- REX9271's paddle shifter mount and wiring harness kit can be found in the Vendor's section

( https://www.infinitiscene.com/searc...le-Shifter-bracket-kit-for-EX-amp-2Gen-FX-115 )






Infiniti Paddles

- You can use a pair of paddle shifters from either a Nissan 370Z, Infiniti G35, G37 with the Infiniti/Nissan part number of 25549-JK0000 (Black leather on the paddles)
- Other colors are available such as stone or beige if you wish to match your interior (May have varying names, consult local dealer for further details)
- A new set of black paddles at the dealer now goes for around $300 :eek.:
- Alternate colors such as beige or stoneare under $200. Some members have suggested plasti dipping/dying the leather though no reports of this being tested so far...
- You can also find a nice set of paddles on eBay for under $200 shipped





REX9271's Wire Harness - Shown below plugged into paddles (Green wire for left paddle, orange/red wire for right paddle):

HINT: Connectors are not interchangeable





Close-up of the left paddle:




Close-up of the right paddle:






Steering Column Cover Set

- Required to install the paddles especially to push out the tilt switch to allow room for the left paddle
- Part number for BLACK is 48470-1CA2B
- Part number for BEIGE is 48470-1CA2A
- Original column cover is a two-piece whereas the paddle version is a four-piece
- Upper column cover of non-paddle version is identical to the paddle-version and can remain without having to swap it out. Discussed more later on in the DIY



Photo showing the non-paddle 2-piece version for reference (Not the actual one you need, you already have this):





Photo showing the assembled paddle version 4-piece column cover set (The one you need):





Assembled paddle-version 4-piece column cover set - Front-View:





4-piece paddle version column cover set separated:




Photo showing part number of paddle-version column cover stamped on the inside for all you non-beliebers :rotfl: just kidding!





Comparison of the non-paddle version(left) and the paddle-version(right):

HINT: The top cover is identical between both versions but you can use the one already in your car.
Less hassle and no need to detach the clips holding the pleather

NOTE: For this photo comparison, the top piece from the left cover was not detached from the vehicle hence missing in the photo






Side-view(Left) Comparison of the non-paddle version(left) and the paddle-version(right):

NOTE: Notice the extended tilt switch opening in the cover on the right. This is to provide space for the left paddle switch





Side-view(Right) Comparison:





Bottom-view Comparison:





Front-view Comparison:

HINT: The paddle-version cover is missing the lip that goes inside the back of the steering wheel.
Intentional to allow the cover to fit once paddles have been mounted.





Rear-view Comparison:





Screw Covers:

HINT: The screw covers are the same between both column covers. Just re-use your own and save some cash:





Tilt-Switch Location - 1/4:

NOTE: The paddle version has an extended tilt switch opening. Purposely to allow the left paddle and the tilt switch to co-exist in the same area.





Tilt-Switch Location - 2/4:

NOTE: The photo below shows you the size of the tilt switch





Tilt-Switch Location - 3/4:

NOTE: The switch is pushed out 1 inch for those who might find this useful:





Tilt-Switch Location - 3/4:










Step 3 - Tools

Tools Required (Shown from left to right):

- Trim removal tools
- Small flat screw driver
- Medium Philips screw driver
- 1/4" drive T-handle socket wrench
- 1/4" drive extension - long
- 1/4" drive extension - short
- 1/4" drive socket to 5/32 or 4mm hex bit
- 5/32 or 4mm allen key
- 1/4" drive 5/16 or 8mm socket













Step 4 - Getting Started

Position Your Vehicle: In a way you have ambient light and the ability to keep your driver-side door wide open


Removing Screw Covers & Philips Screws:

- For this you will require a flat and philips screwdriver.

- Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees left exposing the screw cover:





Gently pry the screw cover off exposing the Philips screw underneath:

NOTE: Pry the cover from the side. Do not try to jamb it between the grooves in the face. That will leave a mark.





Turn the steering wheel back to center then 90 degrees right exposing the right screw cover:





Gently pry the screw cover off exposing the Philips screw underneath:

NOTE: Pry the cover from the side. Do not try to jamb it between the grooves in the face. That will leave a mark.





Next remove the Philips screw on the bottom of the lower steering column cover. You can feel your way to it:





Now you can separate the upper and lower halves of the column cover:

HINT: Pry the cover halves using a flat screw-driver wrapped in some fabric (ie., shirt) and place it between the turn-signal switch and upper cover
Repeat the same step with the other side and make sure to separate the upper and lower halves completely.

NOTE: Be careful not to break the little nipples on the lower cover located just left and right of the signal switch (seen in photo)





First push the upper and then the lower halves towards the dashboard to remove each cover's lip from the back of the steering wheel:
HINT:Use the tilt switch to extend the steering wheel away from the dashboard so you can do this step





Now that you have the lower half detached, you will need to detach the harness leading into the tilt switch:

HINT: Just as any other connector, push the tab in and then push the connector out using the flat screwdriver.





The lower column cover will have a pleather flap extending from the rear and clips into the lower dash cover:





Simply put your fingers over top the pleather flap(white fabric top side) and wrap your fingers underneath popping all the clips upward:

HINT: Once all clips have been popped, pull your hand out and remove the pleather flap with the lower column cover carefully





Now you need to remove the tilt switch from the old column cover:

HINT: There are tabs around the switch. Gently push them in and pop the switch out





Push the tilt switch out on a slight angle so its socket can come out:





This is what the tilt switch looks like removed:





Remove the white connector located on the bottom-left to make room for fitting your bracket:





Using the hex bit (5/32 or 4mm) with a 1/4" extension and T-handle or choice of wrench, remove the two black hex bolts:















Temporarily connect the tilt switch and retract the bracket you just removed the bolts from:





Carefully remove this white clip holding the cable. This will give you easier access to install the bracket:





Take apart the bracket leaving the main piece and the centre mount as shown:

NOTE: The bracket will not install with the tight spaces surrounding its final location





....continued in next post

 

[SCY7H3]

Place the bracket under the steering column as shown below, and push it towards the steering column through the small gap:

HINT: Make sure both ends of the bracket are facing upwards and not catching any structures above
HINT: You may have to tilt the bracket upwards while pushing towards the steering
HINT: Take your time at this step and follow it through
















Using the tilt switch, extend the power tilt bracket that was earlier retracted and replace the two hex bolts:

HINT: You will need to tap the tilt switch to align the holes of the power tilt bracket with the paddle bracket and the threads in the steering column
HINT: Thread the hex bolts using your fingers to avoid cross-threading
HINT: There's no torque ratings in the factory service manual for the hex bolts, tighten them using your better judgement









Mount the both the left and right paddle-ends of the bracket:

HINT: These ends are adjustable up-down and left-right. I have found it to best align with the column cover by being pushed upwards and towards the front of the car







Mount the paddles using the included 5/16 (8mm) nuts and 5/32 (4mm) hex bolts:

HINT: Paddle switch mounts by placing it onto the bracket's stud and 5/16 (8mm) nut.
HINT: A 5/32 (4mm) hex bolt and 5/16 (8mm) nut for the side












Install the new lower steering column cover and check your paddle alignment:

NOTE: In this step, you will use the lower steering column cover to check your paddle alignment. Any alignment required is done by adjusting the end pieces of the paddle bracket.




HINT: You will need to use one of the philips screws you previously removed and screw it through.








Removing the lower dash panel:

NOTE: In this step, you will remove the lower dash panel to route the harness from the paddle shifters to the back of the .



Center console disassembly:

NOTE: In this step, you will remove all the pieces from the center console to access the Unified Meter and A/C Amp sitting on top of the A/V unit



Adding pins to unified meter and A/C amp harness:

NOTE: The harness you need to work with is the longer one on the right with mostly blue cables









Here's a closeup of the harness connector you will be adding the two pins to:

NOTE: If your harness doesn't look like this, either you have it up-side down or you have the wrong harness.



Remove the connector cap by lifting the center with a small flat screwdriver:









This is where the green and orange pins will need to be inserted:





Using a flat screwdriver, lift the pin locking tab and insert both the orange and green pins:






Replace the pin retainer cap as shown below:




Press down on the pin retainer cap:




Your harness should look like this:





Add zip ties to hold the green and orange cables:

NOTE: There's no way to route the green and orange wires through the existing wire tubing.




Route the rest of the harness behind the dash as shown in the red circled sections:



more to come....please do not post in this thread until finished

 

[XPAINTCMB1]

possibly interested in this, is there a total cost overall? estimated for a 2011 fx35

 

[Kanedean]

$125 for the mounting bracket, + $35 if you need the wiring harness as well.
$300 for the black paddle shifters, or $200 for the tan version.
$80 for the 4 piece column cover set.

I went with a used set of paddle shifters and column covers. Everything all together for me was under $300.

 

[cparise]

$125 for the mounting bracket, + $35 if you need the wiring harness as well.
$300 for the black paddle shifters, or $200 for the tan version.
$80 for the 4 piece column cover set.

I went with a used set of paddle shifters and column covers. Everything all together for me was under $300.

hi can you tell me if rex is still selling the brackets....thx.

 

[jbkalla]

I am very interested in doing this to my 2016 QX50. I don't think they've changed much, but I have no idea if the harness is there or not. Does anyone know?

 

[Kanedean]

The only way to tell is to open up the steering column and see.
Oh hang on, you said QX50, that's the EX37 EX35. This mod is for the QX70 (FX37 FX35). I don't know about the QX50.

 

[rex9271]

Usually, EX and QX50 don't have the harness !

---------- Post added at 05:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------

And the brackets & wires can be fitted to 2nd.FX / QX70 and EX / QX50

 

[ocal21]

Very detailed DIY.

 

[1sq1]

Subscribed.

 

[slim]

So once i have this paddles installed, do i have to put gear shifter to 'ds' before i can use paddles to switch gears? or i can just leave shifter in "D" and switch gears using paddles?

 

[Eothain]

DS

 

[Kanedean]

So once i have this paddles installed, do i have to put gear shifter to 'ds' before i can use paddles to switch gears? or i can just leave shifter in "D" and switch gears using paddles?

You can leave it in "D" and use the paddle shifters to change gears. However, it will be only temporary. When the vehicle senses you are traveling at a higher gear with no change in speed and revs, it will automatically switch out of manual mode. While in temporary mode, holding down the up shifter for more than 2 seconds will switch it out of manual mode as well. Also, rev matching is pretty awesome.

I leave it in "D" when I need to downshift quickly to pass on the highways, or when I need to engine brake while going downhill.

 

[slim]

You can leave it in "D" and use the paddle shifters to change gears. However, it will be only temporary. When the vehicle senses you are traveling at a higher gear with no change in speed and revs, it will automatically switch out of manual mode. While in temporary mode, holding down the up shifter for more than 2 seconds will switch it out of manual mode as well. Also, rev matching is pretty awesome.

I leave it in "D" when I need to downshift quickly to pass on the highways, or when I need to engine brake while going downhill.

thank you. how can i figure out whether my car is pre wired for paddle shifter or not without removing the panels around steering? is that something we can figure out by vin number or package? I have 2012 fx35 awd with premium package

 

[la_fx35]

Nope, the only way to verifies to open the steering column cover.

 

[6T9CHGR]

My '12 LE was NOT prewired

 

[Kanedean]

thank you. how can i figure out whether my car is pre wired for paddle shifter or not without removing the panels around steering? is that something we can figure out by vin number or package? I have 2012 fx35 awd with premium package

It is apparently hit or miss on years and models. The only true way is to opening up the steering column to do a visual check.

 

[Joe EID]

I have a QX70 2016 does it come pre-wired or i have to go through the entire procedure ?

 

[kiko_]

Hello There Ive got an 2007 nissan 370gt also known as the g37, Ive got the paddle shifters ready to mount however i just found out that Iam missing the paddle shift harness. Would this REX harness be suitable for me ? if not were can i grab the paddle shift harness.

Cheers

 

[rex9271]

Hello There Ive got an 2007 nissan 370gt also known as the g37, Ive got the paddle shifters ready to mount however i just found out that Iam missing the paddle shift harness. Would this REX harness be suitable for me ? if not were can i grab the paddle shift harness.

Cheers

I would check it . And let you know.