::Retrofit a Shift Boot into an automatic 5th Gen::

[mcimo]

This is my first writeup, so bear with me.

Intro (skip if you just want the tutorial):
I don't know about the rest of you, but I've always thought shift boots really cleaned up the appearance of a cars interior. So, I decided I wanted one in my Lude, but I never knew how to go about doing it, as I have an automatic tranny. After I realized I'd never seen anyone else do it, and there were no tutorials on it, I knew I'd have to figure it out myself. So, I went out and got a shift boot, opened her up, and did it. Then I realized it was sticking when I would shift, so I opened it back up, and figured out a better way to do it. The problem was the boot would get bunched up and keep the shifter from moving. So, I opened it again, and realized that with manual transmissions, the boot caves down below the surface of the console. I got the camera, made it work, took some pics, and now I'm writing this. Whew, I can't believe you read all that ;)


Tutorial:
What you'll need:
A shift boot (I got mine from Advance Auto. Make sure it has a nice wide base)
A screwdriver
A blade (that can easily cut through plastic)
Some zip ties
Maybe some string
A lot of common sense

:::Disclamer:::
Don't do this if your afraid of cutting and altering some parts of your car. If you have to buy a new piece, it'll be over $30 - $40. Don't say I didnt warn you.


Step One: Remove Center Console
Remove the 8 screws that hold the center console into place. Two of them are under the removable covers near the dashboard. This is fairly easy to do. If you need more help refer to the brakes and body chapter of the manual here (http://www.preludezone.com/showthread.php?t=2634).
Make sure you disconnect this cable so you can take the center console out of your car:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0602.jpg

Remove the shift knob if you haven't done so already.
You should now be looking something like this:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0604.jpg


Step Two: Remove Shift Cover Plate
Now you have to remove the plate that covers the shifter assembly. To do this you must press the two black clips underneath it, closest to you.
You can see one in my kinda bad picture :smile::
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0606.jpg

Then lift up the whole piece. You'll have to pull kind of hard to get it to move past the threading, but it comes off.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0607.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0608.jpg

Then remove the track from the bottom. It just slides out.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0609.jpg


Step Three: Remove Tan Part
Now you must separate the tan part from the black part. To do this you must push the four tan clips on the bottom to separate it. You'll have to push really hard, they are not easy to take off, but dont worry you wont break anything. Theres a wire on one side with the light bulb that lights up the numbers, which you will have to remove. You have to twist it to take it off.
These are the clips you must remove (one is near my thumb):
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0610.jpg


Step Four: Cut Out the Middle
Here's the point of no return. If you proceed with this step, this cannot be undone.
You must use your blade to cut out the middle of it, leaving just the outer ring. The reason for this is to allow the shift boot to go below the surface of the console, and to keep your shifter from getting stuck when you shift from the fabric bunching up. Take your time and for goodness sakes be carefull. Heres what you'll be cutting:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0611.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0612.jpg

And here's what your left with:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0613.jpg


Step Five: Put on the Boot
Take your boot, and stretch the bottom of it around the frame you made. Be careful not to break the frame, but it is fairly strong. You may have to pre-stretch your boot so it'll fit. Mine was fairly snug.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0614.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0615.jpg

Now flip the boot inside out so you can insert it onto the pole:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0616.jpg

Get your zip ties and zip tie that sucker to the pole. Start where you want the boot to meet the shift knob. I also tied it up with a string to make sure it doesnt move:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0618.jpg

Now reattatch the frame to the base:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0619.jpg


Step Six: Get the Console Ready
Alright, almost there. Last step is to remove the felt trim from the hole in the console where the shifter goes through. You may have to cut a little bit off to, so theres enough gap for the thickness of the shift boot. You shouldnt have to take much off, but you want this to look good, so take your time.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0625.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/IMG_0626.jpg

Now put the console back in, don't forget to reattatch the wire you took out in the beginning, and screw it all back together.


Step Seven: Buy Your Self a Present
Because your done! Congratulations on your new, very realistic, manual looking shift boot in your automatic Prelude! Now just sit back and admire its sexyness. Of course don't be a poser and tell people it's a manual. Thanks guys, and let me know if you have any questions.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z114/mcimo88/FinishedShiftBoot.jpg

PS If anyone else does this I'd love to hear about it/ see pics!

[PreludeBoy95']

hmm...this is interesting i'd like to see this

[mcimo]

It's coming soon, I promise! Gotta get the pics uploaded.

[PreludeBoy95']

alright dude..sweet

[bboi_xtc]

The best way to do this; is to get a manual transmission. =p

[98_lude]

i have thought about it when i first bought the auto lude but never gave it a try so this sure would help.

[mcimo]

Alrighty guys its up! Let me know what you think!

[mcimo]

Oh yeah if I left anything out, let me know so I can fix it asap.

[mcimo]

so what do you guys think?

[94ludeguy]

theres really no need to bump ur own tutorial. good right up tho

[mcimo]

lol haha sorry I know it was pretty whorish. again you guys'll have to forgive my adhd haha. it'll never happen again ;) but thanks bro.

[twokexlv6coupe]

good write up bro :cool:

[mcimo]

Hey thanks alot man!

[DJ Prelude]

very innovative no doubt, probably something i wouldn't do, but looks cool.

[mcimo]

Yeah I wasn't sure about it at first, but I really like it now. I think it cleans up the interior a bit.

[ogsmakdade]

good writeup, looks better than an obvious auto shifter.

[Prelude13]

Nice writeup, looks like a manual if one didnt look at the gauge cluster! good work!

[Oceanborn]

HAHA!!!! I totally did the same thing like 2 months ago!!! Same shift boot too! Nice write up though.

[jsherer]

someone would have a hell of a time trying steal your car. looks good, and anti-theft.

[98_lude]

it looks really good when i get a chance ima try it.

[mcimo]

Thanks for all the comments guys! Let me know if you do it!

[3rdGenCrazy]

nice write up mic. i kno a guy that did this in his auto IS300! looks pretty sweet.

[mcimo]

Yeah I really like it. It looks really good in person too. I had to convince some people that it was actually and automatic haha.

[91Si4WS]

that looks good man, nice write up too!

[93-LUDE-SI]

Good write up man. I've thought about doing this before. And I think I will now haha. Its sad having an auto sometimes isnt it...put a fake pedal down there too haha then you can even feel like your driving a manual.

[mcimo]

Good write up man. I've thought about doing this before. And I think I will now haha. Its sad having an auto sometimes isnt it...put a fake pedal down there too haha then you can even feel like your driving a manual.

Haha the sad thing is I even thought about it haha, but then I realized it's still an automatic..... of course to finish the effect make sure you park in neutral with the parking brake. It looks soooo real looking in the car from the parking lot. :cool:

someone would have a hell of a time trying steal your car. looks good, and anti-theft.
Hahahahahaha! Thats a good point! I never even thought about that. Just another benefit of doing it. Anti theft....

Oh btw can a mod please make the last picture the pic the shows up with the tutorial? Thx.

[Joja Boi]

just to let everyone know.. wen I first got in Mcimo's car.. I even thought it was a manual....lol

[mcimo]

Haha thanks for backing me up Brad!

[jsherer]

i want to do this so bad but im just afraid of it looking tacky in my car. anyone else got pics of theirs?

[bboi_xtc]

its gonna suck when you have to use the shift lock. =p

[mcimo]

its gonna suck when you have to use the shift lock. =p

Nah... opening the center console is easy as a beast. :biggthumpup: Now that I think about it, I should fab some kind of quick release mechanisms for the center console, since I lift it up so much! :wink:

[genxx]

Nice write up. I am like think the shift boot is much cleaner also. I might gice this a try on my auto.

Thanks for the how-to.

[SlickLudeR]

thats cheating get a 5spd swap lol

[mcimo]

thats cheating get a 5spd swap lol

Is it cheating? Or is it the power of dreams? :cool:

[Brusly BB4]

Looks pretty cool. Might be a little harder to do on a fourth gen but maybe I'll give it a try.

[mcimo]

Looks pretty cool. Might be a little harder to do on a fourth gen but maybe I'll give it a try.

PM me if your gonna do it brah!

[Nclette]

Looks good. I am glad I don't have to worry about that ugly auto shifter anymore! Great Idea though!

[mcimo]

Looks good. I am glad I don't have to worry about that ugly auto shifter anymore! Great Idea though!

Now I'm gonna assume that what you mean is you really did do the 5 speed swap, whereas I just made it look like I did the swap. :tongue: Thx btw!

[sleeper_si]

i would try it but my 4gen has a botton how could i make that work

[sleeper_si]

I GOT IT pic's up later

[omgosh!]

thank you!! ^__^" i really needed to know how to remove the center console... i already have a standard, but my boot fell off :[ good write* up!!

[sleeper_si]

there two screw'a above the radio an 3 on each side of it then it should pop off

[omgosh!]

there two screw'a above the radio an 3 on each side of it then it should pop off

oh really? i thought you had to take the whole middle part off.. thanks ^__^ ill try that tomorrow hehe

[sleeper_si]

it comes out piece by piece

[omgosh!]

argh such a hassle... >__<

[sleeper_si]

yeah it is lol

[BLES787]

lol nice write up.i thought i was the only one who had thought of this. i actually did this last week..been meaning to do it for quite some time now since i was never fond of that auto shifter..my set up is a lil different..i used a brand new OEM shift boot with a brand new OEM leather shift knob (for auto trannys, not the red stitch one)..the shift boot of course installs perfectly under the center console, i didnt even have to buy screws to screw it in since my center console already had them..only problem was that the shift boot was loose leaving a gap between it and the knob..exposing the pole inside a lil..to solve this i slipped in a compression spring on the pole to hold the shift boot tight to the knob..purchased the spring from home depot!! LOL looks flawless...you'd never tell the diff..

[goose2190]

Has anyone ever done this to a fourth gen? Would it work pretty much the same way?

[importsnrice]

Dude now just make your foot-rest into a clutch pedal and get a MT cluster and your good to go! :)

[mcimo]

Hey I know I've been gone forever, but I'm glad to see someone has done it! BLES787, do you have any pics of it? I just installed a Hurst Shift Handle in mine... It looks a little awkward, but it's sooo comfy to shift with! I'll try and get some pics up soon. Anybody else have one?

[Rugburn]

So, what does that switch do?
Does it activate your clutch pedal?

[mcimo]

So, what does that switch do?
Does it activate your clutch pedal?

=] Nope, actually It actually activates the Omega 13. Which is why I'm so scared to flip it. Rep if u know what I was just talking about.

[sp1kez]

LOL!!!!

I've been wondering if I could do this forever on my 4th gen, didn't think anyone had actually gone through with it!!!!!

I might do it as well, any 4th gen tips? Specifically on removing the console?

[Rugburn]

Galaxy quest, Mang.

Does Tim Allen pop out or something?

[sp1kez]

Ok so I got the parts needed but ran into a problem!!!

I don't know if its the same in 5th gens but in my 4th gen the auto shifter has a button on the side that when pressed, lets the shifter move about.

I tried moving it without pressing the button but it wont leave P(ark) without the pressing of the button, how do you go about this when you install the ball shift knob?????

[gaborn73]

its gonna suck when you have to use the shift lock. =p

for real

I had an auto to 5spd swap done. I have leftover parts if anyone is
interested.

[sp1kez]

Still need help with 4th gen, what to do about shifter with button?

[Derek904]

When i had my 02' Accord(which also has the shifter button), i added the custom shifter boot & just bought an aftermarket auto shifter at the speed shop, the one i purchased was still for auto, but looked like a 5spd knob, instead of the button being on the side, it was flush on top of the shifter itself, which looked great:cool: