shift knob solution

Duc_Z09 · 06-05-2014, 05:57 PM

Dilemma: I hate the stock shift knob in my Z almost as much as I hate the thought of paying $180 to replace it with something decent.

Solution: 12x1.75" 6061 aluminum rod and access to a lathe... enough for 2 attempts and I'm only out $24 counting shipping. I'll keep this thread updated with how this minor project turns out. Yup, I'm a cheap bastard.

kenchan · 06-05-2014, 09:55 PM

Yet another homedepot mod?

Duc_Z09 · 06-05-2014, 10:01 PM

McMaster-Carr, actually.

kenchan · 06-05-2014, 10:03 PM

I Iike that vendor.

Duc_Z09 · 06-05-2014, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

I Iike that vendor.

Me too. I ordered the aluminum at like 5:30 yesterday evening and it was at my door today. That's almost frightening, in a George Orwell sort of way.

Mostly I'm just excited to add "lathe" next to MIG welder, sandblaster, and plasma torch on the list of things I've recently learned how to use. Worst case scenario is I bollocks it up and my shiny new aftermarket shift knob ends up costing me $24 more than it should have. Worth the risk IMO.

Got_Z · 06-06-2014, 02:58 AM

I already have a Tommy Kaira... But this looks interesting... IN

-M-

1slow370 · 06-06-2014, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Yet another homedepot mod?

Uhm... using a metal lathe automatically makes it WAY more difficult than any homedepot mod ever.

Instead of paying $180 for a knob, he is going to spend 7-12 dollars on material and then a lot of time making it(time is money if you spent 2-4 at work on overtime you could probably make enough to buy the $180 knob instead)

cautupwitdm · 06-06-2014, 03:26 AM

There are a lot of sub $180 shift knobs out there, heck a lot of sub $80 knobs.

Elan · 06-06-2014, 03:54 AM

You can find a Nismo shift nob for <$80 if you know where to look. IMO stock is MUCH nicer than what you are about to do to it. Heck it's a very good knob in general.

cautupwitdm · 06-06-2014, 04:04 AM

Password JDM Shift Knob < $50 @ amazon.com

madwi · 06-06-2014, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

Dilemma: I hate the stock shift knob in my Z almost as much as I hate the thought of paying $180 to replace it with something decent.

Solution: 12x1.75" 6061 aluminum rod and access to a lathe... enough for 2 attempts and I'm only out $24 counting shipping. I'll keep this thread updated with how this minor project turns out. Yup, I'm a cheap bastard.

Have fun OP! I like making small custom pieces like this too. Is it a cnc lathe?

Duc_Z09 · 06-06-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madwi

Have fun OP! I like making small custom pieces like this too. Is it a cnc lathe?

It's just a regular old manual lathe with a few bits and attachments. I'm planning to start tomorrow and hopefully I can get it done in a day. Pics will definitely be uploaded for everyone to ogle (if it works out) or laugh at (if it goes horribly wrong). In any case I'm picky so if I'm not 100% happy with how it comes out I'll just buy one.

Thread pitch is 10x1.25, right?

jdsto · 06-06-2014, 06:18 PM

Good luck man I hope it turns out great. A lot of satisfaction can be gained doing things with our own hands. Turning a hunk of metal into a shift knob on a manual lathe is far from a home depot mod.

Sometimes life is about the journey not the destination. Enjoy your journey.

Jordo! · 06-06-2014, 06:20 PM

Make something H. R. Geiger-y skull like

Duc_Z09 · 06-08-2014, 12:50 AM

Got a late start and the wife was impatient for date night, so I guess I'll have to finish up tomorrow. So far so good though.

06-05-2014, 09:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	Yet another homedepot mod? onzedge and Elan like this.

06-05-2014, 10:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	McMaster-Carr, actually. kenchan, DEpointfive0, blackcherry20 and 1 others like this. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

06-05-2014, 10:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	I Iike that vendor. DEpointfive0 and Duc_Z09 like this.

06-06-2014, 02:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Got_Z Track Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Dallas Posts: 582 Drives: 11 Sport/Touring 6MT Rep Power: 13	I already have a Tommy Kaira... But this looks interesting... IN -M- __________________ Insta: www.instagram.com/mb4393/

06-06-2014, 03:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
cautupwitdm Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 88 Drives: 10 SR M6 SPT Rep Power: 13	There are a lot of sub $180 shift knobs out there, heck a lot of sub $80 knobs. __________________ GTHaus Meisterschaft GTS Exhaust (Round) \| CNT Racing HFC \| Stillen 19 Row Oil Cooler \| Carbotech Brake Pads \| Eibach Anti-Roll Sway Bars \| K&N Drop-In Filters \| UpRev \| Clutch Helper Spring \| Password JDM Shift Knob \| GTR Push Start Button

06-06-2014, 03:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
Elan Track Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 906 Drives: Airplanes Rep Power: 16	You can find a Nismo shift nob for <$80 if you know where to look. IMO stock is MUCH nicer than what you are about to do to it. Heck it's a very good knob in general. __________________ 2009 370Z NISMO #477 \| AAM Competition Short Tails \| AAM Competition HFCs \| K&N Typhoon CAI \| Kenwood DPX300U \| Rockford Fosgate PRIME R300-4 \| Rockford Fosgate Punch P165 \| Rockford Fosgate Punch P300-12 \| Polk Audio db1001 \| 15% Tints \| GTR Start Button \|

06-06-2014, 04:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
cautupwitdm Base Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 88 Drives: 10 SR M6 SPT Rep Power: 13	Password JDM Shift Knob < $50 @ amazon.com Duc_Z09 likes this. __________________ GTHaus Meisterschaft GTS Exhaust (Round) \| CNT Racing HFC \| Stillen 19 Row Oil Cooler \| Carbotech Brake Pads \| Eibach Anti-Roll Sway Bars \| K&N Drop-In Filters \| UpRev \| Clutch Helper Spring \| Password JDM Shift Knob \| GTR Push Start Button

06-06-2014, 06:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
jdsto Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 250 Drives: Honda VFR800F 2015 Rep Power: 17	Good luck man I hope it turns out great. A lot of satisfaction can be gained doing things with our own hands. Turning a hunk of metal into a shift knob on a manual lathe is far from a home depot mod. Sometimes life is about the journey not the destination. Enjoy your journey. Riptide67 and Duc_Z09 like this.

06-06-2014, 06:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Make something H. R. Geiger-y skull like Duc_Z09 likes this. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it.

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