I tried to make my own shift boot today cause my old one was all worn and broken, but it failed. First the color I got was way too dark. I was trying to get a brown color (I have a tan interior) but it was way off. Secondly, my moms sewing machine/thread could not handle the thick leather. Third, I tried using staples to hold it together but that didnt work. Fourth, I cant remember the order of the metal snap ring/rubber bushing thats directly below the ****. If I remember right, the material gets fed through the metal snap ring, while the material is squished between that rubber bushing and snap ring. A little lower, theres that rubber O ring that also holes the material. Is this right? Do you use a snap ring tool to put it on easier?

I'm about to give up on this make my own shift boot thing. I did a search and the alternatives are leatherseats.com (is this out yet?), another OEM one (do the different generations fit), or a universal one. Suggestions/experiences?

 

Any fabric store will sell special sewing machine needles for leather. Still, very thick leather will result in a lot of broken needles. You will have to go slow and even manually turn the gears. You will also need strong thread like mercenized cotton or nylon, etc.

As for the metal ring, it actually doesn't snap on, you take the shifter **** off, and then put the boot over the shifter rod. The metal ring sits on top of the little tab on the shifter. Alternatively, you probably can just use a zip tie.

 

I would suggest unstiching the stock boot and cut the leather in the same sizes and start sweing it by hand using a large upholstry needle. I know it takes time doign it by hand but its not as hard as you think.

 

forget the machine and do it by hand...that is what i did...you WILL need an upholostery needle (which is curved and not straight) and heavy duty thread

the material that I bought was a heavy duty vinyl (i didn't want to pay for leather and f*ck it up)...I ended up cutting the pattern for the e brake three times before i got the friggin dimensions the way i wanted them

i also bought a pack of 3/8 elastic I used that at the top of the boot so it would not slide down cause there was no way i was going to remember how to put the rings back on...especially since i have to take it apart again when i EVENTUALLY get my dang STS from custommaxima.

make sure you cut off the square metal clip that secures the bottom of the boot to the plastic housing from the OLD boot....then use it to secure the NEW boot to the housing

if you need pics of my boots....pm me!! also click on my hompage
nette

 

Man you sure work hard on your Max for someone that hates maximas so much.

 

MOMO makes some nice shift boots. I bought one and installed it on my gf's car yesterday. She already had the MOMO shift ****, so it was a pretty easy install. I don't know how it would look with different or stock *****.

 

 

i have a momo boot, and its nice. it's black leather.

 

What color is your stock shift boot? I have the tan interior but my shift boot is black. The e-brake handle and boot is tan though, I was thinking of changing them to black.