"JDM"-style four-seam shift boots

[shaundarbie]

Enigma--the MSP (2003, anyway) and Pro5 boots are identical for fitment, so the Pro5 boot will actually be the same boot. I have templates for both the stock and short shifter. The pics show the boot for the shorter shifter. But thanks for the offer!

Laser03pro--As you can see, there's still some slack there in the pics, even after shortening the boot 2". I did this for two reasons: 1) just to make sure there would be plenty of slack for shifting, and 2) I figured that it would still be able to work with the B&M shifter, which is a bit longer than the stock MSP shifter.

Since the B&M actually shortens the throws, would this mean that it doesn't "require" as much boot to shift?

P.S. Make sure you take a look at all of the pics in the album...there's some great shots!

 

[enigM@]

i thought the MSP boots were shorter than the Protege5 boots because the MSP don't have the extension bar?

someone correct me if i'm wrong, but i remember seeing the 2003 MSP in person and it's shorter than the P5 boot

 

[shaundarbie]

It would seem that that would be the case. However, looks like Mazda just used the same boot, and just let it have more slack. I have a stock MSP boot, and though I haven't compared it directly to an uninstalled Pro5 boot, I did compare it to my stock 626 boot. I was surprised to see that the stock MSP boot was the SAME HEIGHT as my stock 626 boot! LOL! I doubt the Pro5 boot is taller than my 626 boot...my shifter is freakin' TALL! Man I want a STS...

Edit: Here's a pic of the stock MSP boot on top of the stock 626 boot, just for reference...same size!

 

[Laser03pro]

If i got a lower knob im sure it would fit i dunno about with the stock knob. I want to get a leather mazda speed knob anyway. I dunno it might even fit with the stock knob here a pic of the b&m a lil dusty.

 

[Poseur]

The msp shifter is shorter, but the boot is the same. Mazda wouldn't waste theri time making a different piece when they could just have the sweatshop crankout a couplethousand more. I'm not entirely sure about the 03.5's with the colored stitching, but fromt eh pic much earlier in this thread it appears to be the same length.

For clarity. stock MSP shfterheight= P5 or any other pro minus the extension. B&M shifter=just slightly longer than a stock msp. Kartboys are much much shorter than either, however making a shorter boot to "fit" would likely not allow the "suspension" necessary to shift without ripping the boot out of it's place.

me=P5+B&M should be perfect... I'll make sure to report back as soon as I get mine.

Thatsaid, It may jsut be taht I'm used to ghetto-long boots, but that shifter looks likeit may be a kartboy, can anyone varify this? that's quite low.

 

[Poseur]

You know the one thing I wasn't thinking about was Knobs. That looks REALLY low, as in might-not actually reach with mine. If you wanna test with me before you go mass-making them for non-mspers, I'll report back asap, Actually I could just measure my stock boot as well.. I'd assumed they should all be the same, as the shifters themselves are, but this definately has me wondering.

 

[IRISH22]

Well, if it will fit a P5, shoot me a final price when everything's done. Looks great. Couldnt have done better myself.

 

[phantom]

ok people. I am the one who installed Shaun's boot on my MSP.

JUST ONE THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS BOOT!!! !!!FABULOUS!!!!!


I had the Jujeracing shift boot before and all I can say is JUST CRAP as compare to Shaun's. 1) It has only 2 set of double stitching with FAKE seams 2) The boot cracked at the wrinkles (you know what I mean) at winter times. 3) it is vinyl

Shaun's boot is made of LEATHER, it has a really fine touch and the interior looks much more classy with the leather boot. The orange stitching doesn't match the orange stitching at the seat perfectly but it does the job and it looks fabulous in my opinion. It also have REAL 4 seams orange double stitching (the tread is of a high quality, not cheap single thread) and even the inside seams have a finishing touch. (open seam finishing). The leather is soft and tender, of high quality.

The installation is pretty easy, it fits right on. The only problem for me is that Shaun didn't pre-cut the holes for me (but they are thinking off doing pre-cut holes at the production model), so this may not be a problem for anyone. I am a hard time cutting the holes at the right spots but I manage to did ok. you will see the lower left hand corner is not aligning properly to the corner but that is just my screw up for cutting. it has nothing to do with the fittment of the boot itself.

There is no issue of having the shifter console popping up after the installation (I've tried to install a Ichibahn shift boot before and it didn't fit that well because the material/leather is a lot thicker), this leather boot just fit perfectly under the console.

that's about it. I RELLY LOVE THE BOOT! (smoke)


I think for the quality of it, it is extremely worth the $, plus you can hardly get a nice custom boot for that price. Shaun is extremely nice and is kind enough to do up a pototype for me to try on the car so that you guys can all get advantage of buying this wonderful product. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR KINDINESS SHAUN!!

I was at a car show last week and I got very many good compliments with these boot, it looks orginial, yet classy and not overdone. and it matches the interior perfectly.

Shaun haven't got the ebrake boot done yet, but when we're done the fitting test we'll post more pics for you guys. and I am sure that would be a nicely done product(2thumbs)


No question about it, just buy it and you'll know. it has better quality than other custom boot for our car for sure.

 

[MackDadam]

hey

shaun. i want that orange stitched boot! how much for the shift and ebrake boot?

 

[NetGuy]

How hard would it be to have this made out of black suede? I'd be very interested in a black suede with silver stiching for a B&M short shifter.

Thanks!

 

[shaundarbie]

i want that orange stitched boot! how much for the shift and ebrake boot?

Vinyl is $20 shipped, leather is $40 shipped. No e-brake boot yet...will take awhile still. I can take payments as soon as the "AMM" appears under my name. My registration/fee has already been sent to Antoine. So as soon as you guys see that, I'll start taking orders via PM.

How hard would it be to have this made out of black suede? I'd be very interested in a black suede with silver stiching for a B&M short shifter.

Not hard, just a matter of getting the material. I actually had one other guy asking about suede, so I can get back to you on that.

Just so you guys know, my leather has been ordered and should be here on Monday. After I get your payments (and I get the leather), I cut the pieces and send them to my mom in CA, who then sews them and sends them to you guys. So the turn around (once my leather is here) is about a week or so.

And one last VERY IMPORTANT thing. My mom is actually going to be out of town and away from her upholstery machine for the entire month of June. So, the $5 discount for "pre-paying" will expire on May 31 at 11:59 pm. After that I will only take orders again in July (I cannot guarantee the same discount in July, though I might do it). This will be reflected in my AMM registration, as I'm defering the month of June, so I won't even be able to take orders after the 31st.

 

[p5sundevil]

sweet, Id like a black vinyl with silver stitching...is the 20 shipped after the 5 discount?

Either way I am ready to get going on this so as soon as you can take orders...

 

[shaundarbie]

Alright, I'm officially taking orders now. Go here to see the official thread: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=978149#post978149. Follow the instructions there, and we're set!

 

[Poseur]

FItment on P5 w/B&M

Okay, ppl good news, After the recent panic I had that this might not work, Shaun sent me a mock-up in vinyl, and This would be me, indeed varifying fitment on a P5 with a B&M shifter... For what it's worth the vinyl of this is treetimes as nice as the stock crap that I didn't know was crap. I'm going to try this on my friend's Stock-shifter P5 hopefully either later tonight or tomorrow. I'll post pics for that as well.

This means that fitment is great for P5's and normal Pro's as well as MSP's. Well made, Just get one... It's amazing I've only driven just to grab dinner witht he g/f tonight and I'm already enjoying not having a big saggy sloppy boot. I just notice it everytime I shift, or sit at a stoplight.

As for the parking brake boot. I just kind of slid it on to see what it did, it actually looks prettynice usually. I noticed in one of the pics it sort of appears to be hanging freely... But normally it sits back and fine. especially when down. I'm not sure if I really like the look, but it's somethign different, and not offensive.. My suggestions for making that fit better would be to shorten it a bit, possibly just on the bottom? it there were any way to attach it to the handle itself it would prolly all sort itself out, but it does look prettynice not just having a plastic flap that you can see.

 

[enigM@]

shaun, is that the gloss vinyl?

 

[Laser03pro]

I like that i just need a p5 shift knob or a knob that is lower. Your not using the clip that came with the b&m are you.Hmmmmmm to bad the blue stitching doesnt follow up the knob what about makin leather shift knobs. (thought) That wouldnt be as easy to get ahold of tho most likely or make.

 

[Poseur]

Yep got the B&M clip on, is it not necc??? I never really thought about trying with it off, wouldn't that just let the boot slide up and down freely?

For the record, the stitching lines up perfectly withthe stitching on the back two seams on the knob.

As far as different stitching on knobs, I believe theoretically you should be able to simply pull a new leather cover over any knob, really. It's mostly a matter of getting a tight fit, and I believe you'd need to soak it in water and somethingorother, and yes I've been thinking about this as well... maybe I'll see if I can pull my leather off my knob to get a pattern from? That would look really sweet to have the same color/stitch style running up the boot around the knob and back. I DO really like the shape of the stock 03 knob, though.

 

[Laser03pro]

With your knob your boot just looks shorter then mine.Heres mine again the second one was the kartboy i had that was way too short the first is my B&M.

 

[Laser03pro]

Ok i did use two rubber spacers tho for it too fit up to the knob. Guess it was made more for the p5 like everything else is

 

[flat_black]

I want one in suede, like I sent to you in PM. Hehee... I think that would look really cool. If you can make me one, with, like, a drawstring or elastic neck or something, I'd be up for that, as I'm getting a Momo Finisher with a lip to connect it to. =)