"JDM"-style four-seam shift boots

Ok, here's an update. First, looks like I'll need to set up an authorized vendor account...that's new since the last time I was here. Fair 'nough.

Anyway, I'm working with someone right now who is sending me all that I need to make these boots. I'm looking at two diff. versions, one for stock shifter and one for short shifter. But I also have some questions...

The stock MSP shifter is shorter than the stock Pro5 shifter, correct? In that case, would a stock MSP shift boot fit well on a Pro5 w/short shifter? Or would it just fit like a stock shift boot on an MSP w/short shifter (a bit baggy)?

BTW, the only forseeable problem is that the leather I'll use (VERY nice stuff might be too thick for the console...keep your fingers crossed! :)
 
The msp shifter is shorter then the p5. Some after market short shifters are a lil shorter also then the msp like a kart boy. I think the p5 shifter is the same height as a reg protege from what i seen at the dealer.
 
The MSP shifter is about the same height as any short shifter out there. The boot that's on my MSP is baggy and ugly, and I even have a B&M shifter which is actually taller than the MSP shifter (not much, but still). I would be interested in a nicely fitting leather shift boot, black with yellow stiching to match the MSP interior. The leather boot in your first set of pictures looks absolutely fantastic compared to the stock boot on the MSP. I'll try to post some pictures tonight of the MSP shifter next to the B&M, as well as how the MSP boot looks and fits now. I hate how baggy my current boot is, it gets dust and junk stuck in it since it's actually making a "pocket" around the bottom of the shifter. Your work looks sweet
 
How much (approximatively) for only the shifter, in vinyl?
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About $20 shipped. However, since 1) the product isn't yet developed and 2) I still need a vendor authorization, I can't take any orders yet. I'll definately keep everyone posted.

As for the shifter height stuff (thanks for the pics, BTW, that is very helpful!)...

Here's a pic I found on cardomain of a 2003.5 MSP (which comes stock with the colored stitched boot...correct?):

528509_9_full.jpg


Is this what your stock boot looks like...kinda bunched up? If so, what I'll probably do is shorten the boot some for the MSP (which would do well for both stock and short shifters on the MSP) and maybe some the same size as the stock MSP for the Pro5...

Thanks for your patience in answering my questions. It's sure hard to figure it all out w/o a car right in front of me! :)
 
shaundarbie said:
About $20 shipped. However, since 1) the product isn't yet developed and 2) I still need a vendor authorization, I can't take any orders yet. I'll definately keep everyone posted.

As for the shifter height stuff (thanks for the pics, BTW, that is very helpful!)...

Here's a pic I found on cardomain of a 2003.5 MSP (which comes stock with the colored stitched boot...correct?):

528509_9_full.jpg


Is this what your stock boot looks like...kinda bunched up? If so, what I'll probably do is shorten the boot some for the MSP (which would do well for both stock and short shifters on the MSP) and maybe some the same size as the stock MSP for the Pro5...

Thanks for your patience in answering my questions. It's sure hard to figure it all out w/o a car right in front of me! :)
Click to expand...
The stock boot does NOT have the colored stitching. I can actually go grab mine and get some measurements for you if you need it.
 
The stock boot does NOT have the colored stitching.
Click to expand...
Does it depend on the year then? I found this on a website:

"Additional changes, mostly appearance items, will be coming for 2003.5 . New front and rear skirts, a new rear wing with a centre high-mounted stop light, larger oval exhaust tip, and darker Racing Hart aluminum wheels are the most visible changes. Inside, the 2003.5 model will have a new shift knob and pedals, silver gauge needles, and yellow stitching for the seats, steering wheel and shift boot. Mazda says 2,500 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protegs will be offered for sale in Canada and the U.S.A."

Here's the link: http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/cd/tstdrv/testdrive2003mazdaspeedproteg.html
(It's a Candadian review, but I've seen similar statements from U.S. reviewers, too)...

BTW, I guess I can really call these "JDM"-style (or is "j-spec" more accurate?). I just found a site on the Familia, which got blue stitching in the interior (seats, steering wheel, and shift boot! :)) Link: http://www.mazda.com/publicity/public/200105/0524e.html

I can actually go grab mine and get some measurements for you if you need it.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the offer...I should be ok once the MSP owner I'm working with gets his boots to me...(2thumbs) <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
 
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My shift boot looks exactly like the one in the picture above, right down to the stiching. All bunched up around the bottom too. I have an 03.5, so it must be specific to that model MSP.
 
Hey could you make some for any car some on my camaro would look awsome also. I think the blue stitched would look good on the camaro and yellow stitched on my protege.
 
Laser03pro said:
Hey could you make some for any car some on my camaro would look awsome also. I think the blue stitched would look good on the camaro and yellow stitched on my protege.
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Send me your original Camaro boot, and I'll definately be able to work something! :)
 
Update: I got the stock boots to work with yesterday, and I've started the design work. I've got the e-brake boots done, now on to the shift boots. I'm wondering how much shorter I should take the boots down. I was thinking like 1 1/2", but will that be enough? There still has to be SOME slack, as the boot needs to be flexible for shifting. Let me know what you guys think.
 
I think 1.5in would be fine cause you will need a little slack like you said. Let me know when they are done im ready for a new set =)
 
Bump.
BTW I would be interested, just dont know when i'll be getting a short shifter. But found out today my stock one is starting to rip.
 
Thanks for the input. I decided to take 2" off the stock MSP boot (which, BTW, is close to the same size as my stock 626 boot. Guess Mazda was too cheap to design a smaller boot to fit the shorter MSP shifter better...). I spent several hours last night and a few this morning on the template. I like to be very precise--thank goodness for calculators that do fractions! :)

It will still be a week or so before I can get pics of the product installed. Stay tuned for more...
 
Whenever your done makin them ill take a yellow stitched ss set for my protege. Just got me a msp knob and buyin a kartboy.
 
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