Of all the configurations of all vehicles known to man, there's none with quite so much -- call it "soul"-- as a light-weight, short-wheelbase, front-engine, rear-drive vehicle with a manual transmission. Think over all the most beloved enthusiast cars of all time, and the pattern is pretty clear. Granted, the 1997 S-10 wasn't exactly a Jag XK-8, Triumph Spitfire, Toyota AE86 or classic Ferrari -- but there's no denying that it can offer a little feel for the glory of this classic configuration. But feel starts with the thing you put your hand on, and that means finding the perfect shift lever.
Turn the ignition off, engage the parking brake and put the truck into second or fourth gear. Putting it in gear will steady the shift lever and ease replacement.
Grasp the old knob, and turn it counterclockwise; it simply unscrews from the lever. If it's stuck, try looping a strap-type oil filter wrench over the knob, cinching it down and using the wrench to break it loose.
Screw the new shift knob on and tighten it down by hand. Sometimes, the shift pattern on the new knob won't quite line up as you'd prefer, facing straight forward. This often happens with aftermarket knobs. If it does, unscrew the knob and proceed to the next step.
Wrap some Teflon pipe tape around the threads on the lever; give it about three wraps, going clockwise in the direction of the threads. Using firm pressure, screw the knob on. Use the oil filter wrench to snug the knob down until it's in the orientation you like. The knob should stay where you put it for some time.
