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Replace that worn out shifter boot.

Spruce up your interior for free or near free and about 45 minutes of your time.

Basically the shifter boot is a pyramid, 2 fat triangles, east and west, and 2 skinnies, north and south. From the original boot I had a decent fat and skinny, perfect to make a template.

1. Cut the original boot apart along the seams and traced the triangles on the cloth of your choice.
2. Cut out the triangles from the fabric about a 1/4” to the outside of what you traced.
3. Put the 4 pieces together inside-out and hold with pins.
4. Stitch along your tracing.
5. With the newly sewed boot still inside-out, install the shift knob upside down and glued the ring that clips on the original knob.
6. Turn the whole thing right-side out and revealed your beautifully stitched boot.
7. Then pull the bottom edges of the boot over the factory plastic trim piece and glued it in place.

I used an old pair of work pants that the waist band came off in the wash, the fabric is a sturdy canvas and matched the interior. It was effectively free. The whole project took maybe 45 minutes and I’ve never sewn anything before.

If you have a conical shift boot, this process can be altered for you and it’ll be even easier, you’ll just have to sew the two ends of your fabric together instead of the 4 separate sides.

Pictures of the process can be found here: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/new-to-me-91-terrarium/6320/page2/

Comments

friedgreencorrado:

No naugas donated their hides to the project? <g>
Jan 11, 2009 7:46 p.m.

megotta:

Great idea, Carson! If you want to jazz it up a bit, go to a fabric store and but some thin leather, or even Alcantara, ask about “remnants” as they are sold at significant discounts, Other options: Sew it together with a contrasting color thread. Cut the sides from one color material and the front/back from a contrasting color (your Miata's exterior and interior colors always look good).
Mar 12, 2009 11:44 a.m.