I got my 280Z today and I wanted to fix the shift boot and shifter.

The shift **** that came with the car had lost its threading and wouldn't tighten up. So I placed in a Lexus (auto) shift **** with some minor drilling to increase the inside diameter of the ****.

Fits like a charm now and looks better than the last one did, even though this **** itself is no "looker".

I also had to fix the boot. The leather string was missing that tightens it up snuggly around the shifter. So I improvised a way to tighten it without making a run to walmart.

I used a Zip-Tie that was long enough to thread through the lip of the boot.


I actually had to get a larger one because this red zip-tie was not long enough.

I found it to be easier to push it through if you bend the tip of the zip-tie.


Force it on through and you may need either a hook or some pliers to pull it the rest of the way.




Kind of a before and after

 

Works for me.
When your ready, you can buy new covers at MSA. I think I paid $20 for mine.

 

$20 isnt bad but I may go with a rubber boot from my AE86 that I have a spare of. I like rubber ones better in my opinion.
has anyone switch to rubber here?

 

The rubber boot is to keep water and hot air out of the cabin. The leather boot is for cosmetic purposes. If you don't have the inner rubber boot you need one.

There is another small rubber cover to keep water put of the transmission shifter.

If you don't want to use the leather cover, that's up to you. But the two rubber parts are needed without question.

 

Haha no I have the inner Rubber boot to keep junk from getting inside the car. But I may go with the 86 shifter boot instead, I like the way it looks.