RngTrtl

Dear All, (1985 US, 5.0L, 32V, Auto)

Being slapass broke I could not afford a new (or used) shifter gate so I decided to make one myself. I cut a template from cardboard that fit perfect and then I transferred it to some sheet brass that I found at work. Then I polished it and clear-coated it and installed itl. I found me a cheap shifter handle on ebay (mine was MIA when I bought the car) and then installed that with some modification to the shifter post. It is much shinnier in person, I have not figured out my digital camera yet. All in all I think it looks pretty good and considering that there was nothing there before; it is a drastic improvement. Y'all take care and thanks for all y'alls help on everything.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

It's difficult to tell the colors of your interior, but I think I'd stay away from brass unless you use it throughout the interior (and even then it almost never looks right.). I would probaly spray the shifter plate satin black. Once again, it may look much better in person and this is only my personal taste.
Enjoy,

6.0-928S

I admire your effort but, how does the shifter slide through the range of gears?
I don't see a slot that would allow the shifter to go from low, 3, N, R, Park.
Hammer

RDS928S

yikes!

Big Dave

928 Specialists sells a leather boot that covers the whole plate area. That brass plate....well...go look at what Dave and Jeannie can sell you.

ceedee

i was thinking the same thing, when i saw it.
whoa, maybe it's not even an automatic

yes i wan't to buy one of theirs but until then, i rather look at the broken plastic that covers the area.

Greggles

Ditto on the black finish versus brass.
How did you secure it?
Thanks for sharing

Champagne

Hey RngTrtl,

I think that the main problem is that both the shifter and the brass look a bit out of place in the 928 interior.
There are a few ways to modernize and streamline the center console, and since you have a leather version to begin with, this is a luxurious environment better served with subtle warm tones

I can't see how your shifter can move with that plate, but at the very least, you could cover it with either leather or a matching vinyl. I have an original T-handle shifter if you need one.

I'm not trying to show off here, just show you an example of a custom setup, different than original but still integrated.

This is a prototype shifter boot I'm working on. Not ready for prime time yet, but you get the idea. I like the fact that it folds neatly in all position.



Paul

RngTrtl

Dear All,

Thanks for the responses. It shifts just like normal autos, there is a rectangular hole that is hidden under the rubber boot thing that it just long enough for the shifting range. The handle was found on ebay for like $12.00. My very 1st sentance started off, "being slapass broke..." I am a student in electrical engineering and have no money to speak of (I make about $168.00 every two weeks). I needed to fix this non critical part as cheaply as possible (there was literally nothing there but the shift post) and make it look as good as I could in the process. I would love to be in the position to buy someting nicer, but alas I cannot afford to do stuff like that until december when I graduate. I am sure then I will get something better I heard this really good quote one time, but I cannot recall who said it 1st, "An engineer can do with 1 dollar what a normal person can do with 10."...It is this theory that has allowed me to own this wonderful piece of equipment, and many others here im sure.

RngTrtl

Dear Dozman,

I really appreciate the offer for the shifter gate, that is a really cool thing to do. Reason #928 why I love this car and this board so much is the fact that both seem to attract really good people that want to help others. I was able to make one that I am happy with, so to do my little part, keep the offer up for the next person that cannot make one so he/she can have one for his/her car too. Thanks again.

P.S. Thanks for serving our country, I really appreciate it.

RyanPerrella

good effort, but i have to agree with everyone else, it looks way out of place, after all you did ask for our opinions. I would cover it with black vinyl or paint it or something, i havent ever seen brass in a car, thats best left to 70's bathrooms.

RyanPerrella

Paul

NOT SHOWING OFF yeah right!

ITs good your pics arent of the interior of the whole, when you take a pic of just the shifter or just the door armrest you can really see all the detailing and work thats gone into your parts, well done as always on the console, and you should be showing off, it is very nice.

Champagne

Thanks Ryan, but really, this time at least, I wasn't showing off

RngTrtl: I apologize if I appeared too critical of your work. I actually think that the execution of what you did is very good. In any event, if you ever want to give your plate a matching look and feel, I have your leather color in stock and I'm sure I can spare a piece big enough for you to give it a try.
Yours for the asking.

Paul

SharkSkin

For what it is -- a cheap solution cobbled together by a broke college student -- it looks like a very functional, workable solution. Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do....

Normy

Rng- I think it is a cool piece of work. One thing I'll warn you about however: Once you start modifying your interior....you'll find it adictive and you won't be able to stop!

B safe!

N