I bought a 2000 Ls400 from an auction that had been totaled out but for the most part the damage was cosmetic. I'm having trouble getting the new shifter assembly in and I'm becoming more and more sure that it has something to do with the shift linkage that was in the car. It appears to be to short to bridge between the shifter assembly and the transmission. When i can get it on both the shifter arm and transmission, the car will be in park but the shifter is in neutral and I'm unable to push the shifter up any further. is there an adjustment? Whenever i look it up though i can't find much, and what i do find looks different then my linkage. If its bent will a 97 linkage fit?. I know it may be hard to tell but I'm just looking for an opinion

 

If you're in the Phx area give these guys a call. They are on the NW side pretty good chance they'd have a few to compare...
http://thelexusking.com/

 

i'm pretty sure a 97 linkage will not fit since 95-97 cars had a different transmission altogether, and thus a different shifter. the 98-00 trans has an extra gear!

perhaps the accident caused the linkage to reverse in orientation, binding the linkage? just a guess...