Okay, I'm trying to help a guy design some nice leather boots for our shifters and e-brakes, but I need some help.

Firstly, I know there are some dash/center console differences between the SA's (79-80), early FB's (81-83) and late FB's (84-85). Specifically, I understand that the plastic ring that covers the bottom of the shiter boot is different.

I've heard that some of the earlier 1st gens have a vinyl boot, and I know that the later FB's all have rubber boots, but is there any difference in the actual shape of the boot's base? Also, does anyone know how similar the 1st gen boots are to the early 2nd gen boots?

Does anyone who which cars came with the vinyl boot? Getting my hands on one to use as a template would help with the design of the new boot, IF all 1st gen boots are the same layout.

Anyways, thanks in advance for any help guys.
-Spencer

 

I have an 80 and it is vinyl and does have the ring, also I have lent mine to a guy that is using doe leather to make ones for the 3rd gens, so he can make one for mine, im sure he could tell you the differences if you want his email it is vertrx7@yahoo.com Ralf Wilms is his name

 

i am pretty sure the boots on the 79-80 are a bit taller since the shifter is a little taller. Also my old 85 gsl had a vinyl boot and a silver ring and then the shift **** on top.

 

You had a vinyl boot on an 85? I thought ALL 81+ had the rubber accordian? You sure your's wasn't an aftermarket add-on?

 

My '79 has a wider and taller shifter boot than any of the FBs that I've seen. The boot on mine is about 3 inches wider and 4 inches tlonger than the later model 1st gens.

Jeff

 

I think the S1 and S2 bases are the same, but I may be wrong.

 

it wasnt an accordian. i know it was stock because it fit perfectly and it matched the one in my RX-7 book. It was shaped so it looked like a rubber boot and had fake stitching on it and actually had faded to an ugly green color instead of my burgundy interior color. i eventually replaced it with a black leather boot from jc whitney for 16.99 and it looked nice.

 

Sorry, acordian is the wrong word... It kinda goes down, then back up a bit, then all the way down? With Fake stitching on the rear side?

That one IS rubber, and is the same one I have.

 

My '85 GSL has an accordian looking one. It's kinda nasty, I think the previous owner spilled a soda on it. Could be aftermarket though. It has a tacky woodgrain colored shift ****.

I've seen SE's with this rubber shift boot that has stitching that might make it look like leather... Mighta just been old or something, but I know it didn't feel at all like leather. Maybe felt like leather when it was new. Regardless, it was not leather.

A nice black leather would be spiffalicious.

As a suggestion for the e-brake lever. I've seen on the mid to late 90's Nissan Maxima (1995, 1997, and 1998 as specific examples.), there are snap buttons on the underside, and the leather comes up halfway on the lever. Makes it easy to remove if you need to get at the base of the lever.

 

one of the notorious problems of the boots is the breaking of all the plastic stems on the bottom of the console piece. this will leave the rubber boot dancing around like a bobblehead character. my version of a fix is finding a good secend gen boot and install it. you will see that the number of attachment holes is the same for the 1st gen, find some pop-rivets that will fit the surface of the console on the sides and bottom of the boot hole ( i believe 1/8 x 1/4) and carefully drill holes where the stems were from the bottom, push the rivet through the top of the console, through the 2nd gen boot, and then a small washer and pop away. from the top you see 9 little rivets that, in imo, look kinda cool. (be sure to leave the original boot on the shifter just to provide some support/body to the vinyl one) reinstall the console piece with your new boot and put the collar back in place and tie up the boot. voila. it may sound cheesy to some, but remember, that is what this forum is about, the sharing of ideas and knowledge.

 

The accordian probably is aftermarket, especialy considering the ****.

The rubber boots you've seen NEVER EVER felt or really looked like leather. I've seen worse tho. I'll let you know when the leather ones get done.