DIY shifter boot, and ghetto de-amber with pics!

[ccstud17]

So My shift boot was MANKY! so looking around the prices were all stupid for just a piece of pleather, so i took that SOB out and put in my own.

1. remove shift boot and knob (no tools needed)
2. rip all the seams, thus getting you both templates
3. select cloth (took all of my control to keep it black, since i love me some custom)
4. sew it (sewing machine, woman folk might be useful for some)
5. glue and tie knob to new boot
6. install
(honestly took under 30 minutes, super simple)

here you see the old boot up top ripped apart to make templates, one cut out and one about to be cut out.


super easy mod, and voila! you can make the boot as tight or baggy as you want, i like the baggy look myself...


Going to paint center console/upgrade knob in next project...

Besides adding clear side markers, I VHT nightshaded my amber on the ole headlights cause the orange was awful. It is a bit "tuner-ish" but until i get new lights this will be 100% better than amber every where!


1. clean
2. wet sand
3. alcohol clean
4. tape off
5. paint
6. clear coat
7. wetsand/ polish



here is a before, to reference


all comments, questions, and mockery is appreciated
Edit: yes sry its not all waxed, shiny and clean

SC

[ccstud17]

Also, has anyone bought color matched paint in spray cans online? paintscratch.com seems to have a decent Porsche selection but I want the best!
thanks

[kjc2050]

I've used paint from automotivetouchup.com with good results.

[coreseller]

Nice job on the leather. I started to do the same with a different type of P-Car and had trouble sourcing the same shade of grey leather, stumbled into a guy who sold me his unused boot in the right color so I never did any sewing.

Question: Do you need an industrial grade sewing machine to stitch the leather? When I asked my wife about sewing the leather several months back she baulked at doing it saying the leather may be too thick for her machine.

[particlewave]

Could you post a more straight on pic of the boot template? Maybe some measurements, too?
I've been scouring the local thrift stores for some white leather so that I can make a white boot and cover a few trim pieces in my all black interior, but would like to keep the old boot intact as its in great shape.

Love some DIY ingenuity

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by particlewave

Could you post a more straight on pic of the boot template? Maybe some measurements, too?
I've been scouring the local thrift stores for some white leather so that I can make a white boot and cover a few trim pieces in my all black interior, but would like to keep the old boot intact as its in great shape.

Love some DIY ingenuity

Ask the eBay seller in the link below to make you one... They are doing a custom ebrake for me in black and red...

1997 2004 Porsche Boxster 986 Real Leather Shift Boot Yellow Stitching | eBay

[ilikeching]

1. remove shift boot and knob (no tools needed)


can you tell me how to remove the knobs....

Thanks

[Mark_T]

First pry loose the base being careful not to break the little plastic tabs. Then grab the knob with both hands and pull really hard. Make sure you don't clop yourself in the nose when it comes loose.

[desert_porsche]

How well do the turn signal lights shine through the blacked out lenses? I'm considering the same thing myself but it's not worth it if it's a safety hazard from people not being able to see your front turn signal.

[ccstud17]

Coreseller: I had to use a leather needle, and go a bit slower it can always be done by hand.

Particle: I ll get you one by tonight, You could use that ebay link, or try a fabric store, they normally have all kinds of colors of leather.

Ilikeching: use a flat blade to pop the bottom of the boot up, then pull straight up while twisting on the knob! its a big yank, but the twisting made it much easier!

If anyone really doesnt have the means to make one, I'll make you one. I live in a rather country oriented town so we have all kinds of leather shops to source from. PM me

[particlewave]

Don't sweat it...I pulled my shifter boot off to take a look and it seems pretty straight forward.
Thanks

[ilikeching]

Ah, thanks...

[brian325is]

It is so easy to pull the shift knob off, I did it in the middle of an autocross once. I guess I was a little too agressive in my shifting LOL

[Crono0001]

That leather with yellow stitching that was linked looks like so much win. And for only $20. I wonder if I can find the airbag covers for the doors in leather with yellow stitching (hint hint)

[j.fro]

The secret's out! I sourced my leather from a $5 thrift store coat...had enough to cover the door-armrests, too.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Crono0001

That leather with yellow stitching that was linked looks like so much win. And for only $20. I wonder if I can find the airbag covers for the doors in leather with yellow stitching (hint hint)

Ask them. They agreed to do my ebrake handle after me local shop begged of. I've not gotten it in yet, but the console cover the did looks good.

[shadrach74]

Delete.........

[ccstud17]

Ive thought of re doing all of my leathers kinda like you shadrach, really makes the interior pop!

Jfro: that is AWESOME!!! should have done it with a fur coat lol

[Porsche Chick]

Originally Posted by j.fro

The secret's out! I sourced my leather from a $5 thrift store coat...had enough to cover the door-armrests, too.

Thrift store? Did someone say "thrift store"?

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS - THRIFT SHOP FEAT. WANZ (OFFICIAL VIDEO) - YouTube (worth is just for the Delorean shots)

[ccstud17]

"but hell it was 99 cents!"