Manual Shifter Boot on Auto
 

Well... NOW... I am ready for my trip to this weeks "Mopars at the Strip" in Las Vegas, Nevada.....I have my manual shifter boot installed.....and I just love it! It really changes the look and feel of the interior. (Just have to keep reminding myself that it's an automatic!)

On the "other" Challenger site, members have been talking about this mod for a while, and it is well worth doing, trust me, this is a really easy and quick mod that anyone can do, just take your time. (Look Mom an automatic manual!!)
If you should have any questions feel free to ask.....

By the way..anyone needs or want a new shifter and trim ring..PM me as I am going to sell them.

ok where the heck did you get it and what does it cost?

It's a Dodge part:
#4779570AC (R/T) or 68052009AA (SRT8)....stay with the R/T part number, it's cheaper and from I understand....no difference between the two.
I believe it's called "Knob Gearshift" in their parts catalog. All you really want is the shifter boot....but unfortunately you need to order the entire assembly in order to get the boot (which is why I am selling the shifter and trim ring).
Because the shifter is included, the pricing is around 90.00 or so, depending on your dealer and his "discounts". Is it worth it......oh yes! I have had people look at my shifter and say it's a manual, then they see the gear selector and it was a let down for them.....not any more! No one will ever be able to tell it's not a real manual, unless of course they look real hard and notice the car is missing it's "third pedal".
If you decide to do this Mod, I can answer any questions you might have, but trust me.....it is a very easy job, and the results are great......

Where did the pistol grip come from? That sure looks sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

I purchased the shifter from:
Custom Pistol Grips
3470 Barrancas Ave
Pensacola, FL 32507
1-(800)-642-9464
www.challengerpistolgrip.com

It's been over a year so I don't know what the current pricing is (was $175.00). Mine is Carbon Fiber, but they also offered Wood (light and dark) as well as NOS Plastic replacements for the stock Mopar Hurst pistol grip shifters from the '70's.

Thanks for the info. Now I have something else I have to sneak by the wife. Ha Ha

mopar parts america has it for

$56.78 + $9.95 fedex ground S&H

4779570AC
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214583

im going to have to check with my cousins husband as he runs a body shop and usually
can get me much cheaper prices.

example i paid -------SRT rear fascia $39.10------ hood struts---$52 and some change
i pay his cost plus state sales tax

How do I take off the shift knob on an auto. trans? I am converting to a manual shift boot and have eveything ready to install, but can't seem to unscrew the factory knob . Is there a retainer clip?

Carl,
Welcome to the site, at the bottom of the shifter knob itself is a small
plastic chrome ring you separate that with a small screwdriver so it drops down the shifter shaft then the knob will pull straight off.

I had my Challenger on display at last weeks "Mopars at the Strip" Show in Las Vegas, and not one person had any idea that my Challenger was an automatic. In fact, when I pointed out this Mod to several other Challenger owners they were truly amazed at how real it looked!
This is in many regards the "most bang for the buck Mod" you can do to the interior....I highly recommend it if you want to change the interior's look and feel.............

Shifter mod.
 

I agree , changing the auto shift to a look-a-like 6 speed is awesome. After doing the swap and using the original knob I decided to work on using the 6 speed pistol grip. Looks just like a factory 6 speed now. Best $100.00 I spent yet. Took me maybe 1 hour, but given a 2nd chance I could probablly do it in half the time now.

In order to put on the shifter boot on you have to remove the chrome trim ring, right! Where are the clips located on the trin ring, am I supposed to stick something under the trim ring and pry it up? I am affraid of cracking the trim ring, it seems to be on pretty tight. ;)

I was able to apply a slight bit of pressure (pushing inward and slightly upward)...and that's all it took to get it moving up and out. It is tight but it will move with the right amount of pressure. Some people have used different plastic scapers and such to pry the trim ring up, but I found that it was not necessary in my case. Popping the top of the console up was a bit harder as it required some effort to get it loose. Found that if I griped the cup holder area, I was able to lift the rear section of the console up.....just take your time....
(You need to lift the top of the console in order to remove the stifter indicator)

Hi Joe
I am from Switzerland and i do have a Challenger SRT8 2009n (automatic).

As i was reading your blog, i ordered a knob gearshift with a boot from a RT model:

I doesn't fit at all. not the frame, not the boot (to big, could not really shift forward and backward): so I guess i have to order the SRT8 part.
Or did you just took out the leather boot and placed/glued it into the original frame.
thanks for your feedbadk
habe a great day
clemens

First off, the shifter cannot be used...perhaps you can find another use for it...such as a paperweight or mount it on your favorite easy chair so that you can practice shifting while watching a race on TV. Or perhaps you can find someone with a Mopar that would like to buy it. Unfortunately, the only part you will be using is the boot, as I found I had to reuse my trim ring since the mounting tabs seem to be different. I just removed the boot (I believe I had to cut the mounting tabs off) then just put the boot and trim ring together...without any glue and mounted it in it's original location. The boot itself will seem big, but it will "loosen-up" with use...the leather needs to "form itself, so to speak". I did find that when I frist installed mine, I would have to push a bit harder than normal to get the car in park...no issues or problems now. You will have to use your original shifter handle or buy an aftermarket shifter like I did. Yes, it's a bit of money just to get the boot but Chrysler doesn't sell the boot by itself. Just returned from the Mopars at the Strip show in Las Vegas Nevada, and again not one person could tell that my Challenger (an '08) wasn't a 6-speed. This is a very easy and quick Mod. that really changes the interior's look.....let me know if you have any issues.....And by the way...welcome to the forum....would love to drive my SRT through your mountains...talk about a dream ride. I was only in your country once, and I drive a rented Ford.

Has anyone tried an after market universal boot or does the boot have to be an OEM boot?

Due to the shape of most all aftermarket boots....they will not fit. Compare the shape of the Challengers to the aftermarket and you will find they are different.....(others have already looked into it and none worked.....)