Shadowman and ExotiCare's Shifter Bezel


Aug 25, 2006
4,436
Let me begin by saying that for those of you that have the custom shifter bezel/boot and e-brake cover on the way; you will be happy.

After waiting all day for the care package to arrive so I could finally hold and integrate one of the first run pieces the moment finally arrived very late in the day however quickly the parcel was opened and what I saw was as excepted; stunning.

I promptly tended to the integration of the two new pieces beginning with the custom shifter bezel/boot. I followed the instruction s as presented to all and discussed between Andrew and myself and for the most part all went smoothly however;

On this particular gal that incidentally has the Ford Racing short shifter I had to pull back the Velcro’d in place driver side trim panel so that I could loosen the Torx securing the center console so it could be moved ever so slightly because the OEM rubber shifter boot was pinched in position. This is because Ford Racing short shifter’s body is taller as such nearly touches the center console. This process was painless and then I proceeded to set the new custom shifter bezel/boot in position; it took me a couple attempts to get the 3 cam locks to remain out of the way while doing so and then in the end I found it easiest if I set it in position and then pulled the shifter arm into the reverse detent position; meaning against the spring load and not actually in reverse and then it slipped right in place. While continuing to hold the shifter in this position I cinched the cam lock near the driver leg and then released the shifter. The reason that this was needed is because the clearance is truly very tight and when the cam lock is in the installation position it was hitting against the shift bell crank however by pulling the shifter into the reverse dent position the bell crank is lowered and then once the cam lock was rotated into position the clearance is perfect. I then proceeded to snug the other two cam locks. Once this process was completed I made certain that she was able to shift through all of her gears with no issues and then proceeded to complete the reassembly process which in this case included the small machined insert for use with the smaller diameter shifter shaft.

Now keep in mind that if you still have your OEM shifter all you will have to do is remove the OEM rubber shifter boot and then set the custom shifter bezel/boot in position and cinch the three cam locks.

Once the custom shifter bezel/boot is in place the design of the system allow for personal touch height adjusting of the leatherette portion thus allowing a person to decide if they want more or less of the shifter shaft exposed.

It fits perfectly and looks wonderful.

Once the custom shifter bezel/boot integration was completed I then proceeded to install the e-brake cover. Per Andrews recommendation I left the OEM rubber cover in place and installed the new one over it which results in a crisper look.

Initially I removed the e-brake trim and set it aside; now Andrew and I discussed this and he shared that it can be installed without doing so however IMO having the trim removed allowed me much more flexibility when it came to fitting the e-brake cover into position. If you elect to remove the e-brake trim be certain to blue tape the perimeter of the center console and then by placing your fingers within the e-brake bezel at the narrow rear opening you can gently begin the process of lifting it out; BTW it does come straight up even though it would appear that it should do so on an angle and once it begins to lift at the first corner them move to another corner and after massaging it corner by corner it will then slip right out. Installation of it is very easy however making certain that all of the small metal clips are firmly in place.

Prior to beginning the installation of the new e-brake cover per Andrew I rolled the small end over itself and then trimmed the little fold of material within the small end after which I used a bit of silicon spray on the e-brake cover and on the e-brake handle which allowed it to slip on very easy. Now because it is an upholstered piece that has yet to relax it took a few minutes working it over the OEM rubber e-brake cover until I was happy with the look.

Take your time and you will end up with a very crisp looking setup.

Here are a few pictures of the systems as received as well as them integrated in this gal.

If there are any questions please let me know as I remain available to assist.

Takes care

Shadowman
 

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GT Shifter Bezel Instructions

Thank you Shadowman for taking the time and explaining to the folks the custom tailored instructions for short shift equipped cars!

I have attached a few pictures of the finished product on a couple of local GT's.

Also below you will find links to SHIFTER BEZEL INSTRUCTIONS and YOU-TUBE INSTALL VIDEO

PARKING BRAKE BOOT INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS

I have a limited Number of GT Bezel and E-brake boot kits available.
Once these items are out of stock - new sets will be available within 2 weeks as they are produced for us in custom batches.

Those of you that have the factory or short shift shifter can follow the instructions posted here.

For those of you that have the Carbon Fiber Center Tunnel console will need to PM me or email me for one additional steps instruction detail.

You-tube Shifter Bezel installation video can be viewed here.

To purchase the GT Shifter Bezel Kit - please visit the Exoticare GT Accessories store

Thanks

Andrew

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FFRP Short shifter on my car. That shifter does stick up a LONG way, and there are some TIGHT fitment issues. And so, last night I was gnashing my teeth. Then Andrew directed me to Shadowman's solution. What can I say besides the fact that "the Shadow knows"? The man is a freaking automotive genius!!! Reverse works SO WELL to install this!!! :thumbsup So, it's all in, didn't take more than 5 minutes (well, for the shift bezel, I haven't done the tuck job on the handbrake boot yet). :lol

One minor additional point to assist with the install, well at least it was for me, last night when Andrew and I were speaking, he indicated that it's the left most (closest to your driving knee) camlock that can touch the shifter if it's not aligned correctly. To resolve this, he suggested that once the bezel is settled, I might try to get the 1:00 o'clock cam into place by turning (locking) the cam SLIGHTLY, and then rotating the ENTIRE bezel to the left (once the cam is turned, the bezel has a small amount further it 'could' turn. This was exactly what I needed to get the bezel in exactly the right position. Presto neato, all done!!!:thumbsup

I'd post a picture, but it looks exactly the same as the ones above :biggrin and it's AWESOME!!! And honestly, pictures do NOT do this justice!!!

Thanks Andrew, and thanks Shadowman, this is really great. And thanks to Torrie also for the FFRP fat shaft and shift knob too :cheers

Now I just have to finish the parking boot, but that will have to wait until after work today.


EDIT - looking at the above pictures from Andrew, I'd guess that the last 2 pictures do NOT have the FFRP short shifter (since the camlocks are NOT in the same position as they NEED TO BE on my car because of the height of the shifter).
 
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I was asked to post a couple more pictures as such here are a couple pictures showing both the custom shifter bezel/boot and the custom e-brake trim installed in association with an OEM shifter ball and OEM diameter shifter shaft.

Takes care

Shadowman
 

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wood shifter ball

Hey, what's wrong with wooden balls?

Ed

PS I think this is where you chime in Dr Frank!
 
Thoughts of Jaguar crossed my mind. Personally, I don't like it, but to each his own. Cooler in the summer for sure.
 
Who scratched up the console? Steve McQueen?
 
I want to buy yhe complete set up as per this picture! Who do I need to talk to to get everything ??

RingExample1RGHT.jpg
 
Wood Balls

Dr F - You only talked about wood shift knobs & not balls/testicles of wood. You're slacking! Put your mind back in the gutter.

Ed
 
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Steve McQueen

Beach GT - good eyes! Yes, it's Steve McQueen's signature. One of my heroes.

Ed
 
Way Cool
 
Special Ed, that's not your blond wife in your new avatar. Can I have her number?
 
Special Ed, that's not your blond wife in your new avatar. Can I have her number?

Given the vagueness of your comment, I'm just curious, are you looking for Catwoman's phone number, or special Ed's wife's number??? :eek
:wink:lol:wink
 
I think that's batwomen.
 
Batwoman

Yes, it's Batwoman & the Batcave phone number is unlisted.

Ed
 
Frank I have the number for the right price! :biggrin
 
Thicker Shifter Sleeve and Shift Ball

FYi

Torrie (fastpartsnetwork) has the thicker Sleeve and Polished Shifter Balls from Ford Racing available to those that want the upgrade and the Bad Boy look

Ford Racing GT Shifter Sleeve & Polished Shifter Ball
 
Well, another busy day at work, sunlight fading fast when I got home, kids wanting to go out for dinner.......but when I finally got home from all that I decided that after watching Shadowman's tutorial on the Brake Boot Bezel, I'd better give it a try. So, after getting the kids all tucked in, I zipped out to the garage and thought I'd try my handiwork.

Well, it's now all done. Super easy. I actually cheated a bit. I didn't know how hard to press up on the bezel, and didn't want it popping out and flying around, so with the brake up, and looking at the pics of the removal from Shadowman, I realized I could squeeze a single finger in behind the upper back of the bezel and juuuussst touch the clip as referenced in those pictures. I then squeezed the clip with that said finger and pop, out she came. Easy as pie.

Anyway, the finger behind the bezel is an easy tip in conjunction with everything Bill has said. Oh, I must admit I failed to "Shadowman" special tape everything. I really was going to, as I didn't want the bezel scratching anything, but with the finger pop it was unnecessary as it came out very easily.

Oh my goodness, this TRULY finishes off the interior!!! I'm SO EXCITED about it, I can't wait to go out and show all my friends!!! The short shifter now LOOKS as good as it feels!!! And the leather on the handbrake is just so much better looking than the formed rubber boot. Well, to my eyes anyway!!!
 
I'd take Special Ed's wife's number any day since Yvonne Craig is an old hag now.
 
I'd take Special Ed's wife's number any day since Yvonne Craig is an old hag now.

I'll PM you my paypal account.