The ramifications of an aftermarket shifter knob...

[Goland]

Hey guys. I've got some metal/CF knob that I put on, it's not really important, but I was wondering what you guys do with the leather boot once it has nothing to attach to. Right now it sorta just stays up by itself, and loosely "attaches" to the knob, but it's sorta floppy and just falls down a little all the time. It annoys me, and I would like to know of alternatives.

Ideally, I'd like a nice chromed plate to go near the base, something like you'd see in a high-end race car (seenherein a Ferrari F40), but I'm sure some of you guys have other, probably cheaper ideas. Unless someone is actively selling a metal plate like I'm talking about, I don't think I'll be able to do that.

[Mooneggs]

Hey guys. I've got some metal/CF knob that I put on, it's not really important, but I was wondering what you guys do with the leather boot once it has nothing to attach to. Right now it sorta just stays up by itself, and loosely "attaches" to the knob, but it's sorta floppy and just falls down a little all the time. It annoys me, and I would like to know of alternatives.

Ideally, I'd like a nice chromed plate to go near the base, something like you'd see in a high-end race car (seenherein a Ferrari F40), but I'm sure some of you guys have other, probably cheaper ideas. Unless someone is actively selling a metal plate like I'm talking about, I don't think I'll be able to do that.

The aftermarket shift knobs I have used always had a screw on base that I was able to squeeze the boot around... not sure what type you have - do you have a pic of it?

Also I like the idea of that race car look but I'm not sure how that would look in the mx-3 because our shifter is thicker than that... good idea on the chrome plate but not sure how you could make one... you might be the first

[Goland]

There's no groove or anything at the bottom of the shifter knob. I've got the leather boot, if that makes a difference. The stock shifter actually had a groove at the base of it which kept the boot securely in place, but this new shifter is too narrow; the boot's opening is too wide to be secure around it.


That's how it looks pushed all the way up, but while I'm driving it sorta droops down and looks wack and annoying.

Who knows, maybe I'll see if a friend of mine can take advantage of his workplace's machinery to cut me a custom piece!

[Mooneggs]

I see your dilemna... I'm curious... if you had a custom piece made where would it go? If you take out the boot completely that's a huge open space so would it go that high up or down lower?

What if you push your boot all the way down then ziptie it together real neatly at the bottom that way you could see some of the shifter too?

maybe that's a stupid suggestion but I haven't tried it myself...

[Goland]

It would probably just keep the curve of the black plastic, and be secured in place in a similar way to how the boot currently is secured. My guess is that two layers of plastic pinch the boot in place on the edges, with a few screws here and there. I'd probably have to cut the lower jaw of the plastic housing that keeps the boot in place, since I wouldn't want the piece to be cut out of metal that's as thin as the leather on the boot!

[Mooneggs]

I just took my lunch and I was sitting in my car and I took this pic...


it's not going to look quite the same as a stock shifter since mine has been reduced by 80% throw

but it still might look cool with the rod exposed... something unique at least if you get something worked out post it up! good luck!

[Goland]

Mine's not stock either; it's a short throw, but it's not adjusted too far off from stock :P

And yeah, I'll post whatever I end up doing, but it might be a little bit... A little preoccupied with other things at the moment!

[shameem]

Have you tried using a zip tie threaded underneath the leather.....

[mx3autozam]

I have a 2003 mazdaspeed proeteg shift knob. the mx3e shifetr boot does not connect to it. I have a short shifter and its at the perfect hight the boot just sits at the bottom of the knob. it wouild be nice to attach to it but i'm able to live with it.I might to get oen from a mazdaspeed protege.

The ferrari shifter is refered to a Gated shifter. Its a nice idea but not sure how it would look in the mx3. it might alsobe a pain in the a--. you woudl need perfect shifter bushings or it would rub and cause issues.