1st gen shifter compatibility
 

I'm trying to find a good 1st Gen Auto, and I'm finding that I really like the shifter of the 97/98 best, but most of the good looking cars are 99-01.

My reasoning is that the 99-01 shifter is P,R,N,D,2,1, with an O/D off button, and I think that's stupid and complicated when the 97/98 had a simpler, more linear P,R,N,4,3,2,1 setup with no buttons, 4 and 3 being automatic, and 2 and 1 being manual settings.

If I found, say, a good 2001, does anyone know if it would be possible to change it by just swapping the shifter and instrument cluster, or is it more complicated than that?

Bought a 98 EX
 

I found and bought a beautiful green 98 CR-V EX last Monday. 170k, all the options except leather seats, totally stock, etc., so I don't need an answer to this anymore, but if anyone wants to chime in for other people, I'd be curious what turns up.