Have your boot seen better days?

[Jan Larsson]

So not me selling however I worked wiht the company and provided a used shifter boot for them to use as a template and the final product came out really nice.

These guys (JF Boots - Genuine Leather Gaiters and Shift Boots (Powered by CubeCart)) been doing these for years for loads of different cars so thought I would ask them to see if they could make one for ours.

Material used is real Italian automotive grain leather, the leather boots in the TTA/GTA is real leather but much finer grain (and not as soft either) so this new is slightly different to the look also they do them with double stitching like you see in most other cars and the TTA/GTA one dont have this.

They can do them in any color combination, leather/stitching, so could be some interesting combinations there

Anyway ... if you need one they do have an ebay shop as well and these wont break the bank either.

1985-1990 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM black stitch LEATHER SHIFT BOOT | eBay

You will need to re-use the metal bracket insert (or get one from a junkyard) if you do get one then remove the old boot and glue this new one in place on the frame before installing ... I took photos of when I did my spare one if you need some guidance i can post those up.

Pictures of what your old might look like (note that only the TTA and GTA acutally did have real leather boots all others have fake leather imitation):

 

[Jan Larsson]

And the new one from JF Boots .... this is dark gray with same color stitching.

Only installed on a spare upper console piece I had sitting around ... not bad looking

 

[Jan Larsson]

Should also point out that this one is the 85-90 style only so if you have the 91/92 style in your car that one is different but I believe they have that one already but not 100% sure of the fit ...

 

[8289ta]

Jan - not bad for 30 bucks with shipping! It looks like they made it with quality leather too.

 

[8289ta]

Sorry Jan - I asked a question you had already answered. I guess I should have read the whole post!

 

[Jan Larsson]

Jan - not bad for 30 bucks with shipping! It looks like they made it with quality leather too.

Leather is very high quality, soft and very nice, same stuff you find in any moder car ... so I'm pretty pleased with the way they look and the quality of them ...

 

[Jan Larsson]

I guess the metal frame is reused? How is it attached?

Yep you need to reuse the metal frame, it's just glued in place so take off your old one and get rid of the old glue, looks like some sort of heat glue gun glue ... then I used some gorilla glue sparingly and clamped a small area at a time (didn't have enough clamps) ... I installed it in place first then folded a small area and clamped it down then moved on to get it all glued in place.

So not hard at all just take it slow and position in correctly (hence me screwing it in place then glue it together; plenty of space to do so and get the clamps on there).

 

[Jan Larsson]

Here's the steps I took after I removed the metal frame from the old boot.

 

[Jan Larsson]

Replaced my OEM boot today .... OEM is lighter gray and smoother leather (so not the same grain) and of course don't have the double stitching.

Anyway good way to preserv the original boot for the future as the leather of the reproduction is much softer and will not crack or wear out like the thicker/harder leather used by GM ...

Looks good to me considering I got this one for free for providing them with the template to make them.

 

[8289ta]

It looks good Jan!

 

[TTA984]

It looks good Jan, that monkey glue is good stuff!!!

 

[Jan Larsson]

It looks good Jan, that monkey glue is good stuff!!!

Works a treat on anything ... just glued my doughters shoe back together with it this morning :clap:

 

[TTA984]

Jan, I will be needing one of those boots:

I've been shopping again. This time I bought a top plate for the console, it is the correct one for the TTA in excellent cond., the only thing it needs is a shifter boot. It has the center cutout for the pwr mirrors and pwr windows

Also got a nice used steering wheel, with little wear on it, has the center pad for the radio controls included. Not nos but is really nice. Has all the hardware included with it.

The third thing I got was a radio pod, it is also in nice cond.

Last got a spare cargo cover for the hatch area.:coffee:

 

[Jan Larsson]

Wow Mike, you got a brand new car soon my friend lol

The company doing the boot sell them on ebay, see my link above, just tell him color of leather and color of stitching you need (yes he can do pink as well).

Note the gray one he did for me is darker gray than the OEM not sure what other shades he might have.

If you need my help let me know.

Jan

 

[bravesoul1]

Jan
Need your help - mine is not in good shape stitching coming loose also shifter it self is broken tip. Help appreciated.
Thanks
Lynn
Sick car 603

 

[Jan Larsson]

I'm not selling these, guy that runs the company is very good to work with so contact him directly when you buy one on ebay: 1985-1990 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM black stitch LEATHER SHIFT BOOT | eBay


Just make sure to tell him what color etc. And read all my posts and look at pictures just so you don't expect a 100% OEM replacement when it comes to look and feel.

 

[TTA984]

Jan, just wandering if a glue gun would work putting the boot on, instead of using Gorilla glue?

 

[Jan Larsson]

Jan, just wandering if a glue gun would work putting the boot on, instead of using Gorilla glue?

The glue used originally do look more like a heat glue gun type glue ... any glue will work just fine, once installed it's sqeezed in place anyway so wont go anywhere so it's more to hold it in place to help with assembly.

 

[TTA984]

As far as the leather boot goes, I found a nice used one I am going to use. So don't have to worry about the colors.

Might have to dye it purple if I get purple wheels!!!!!! Just kidding.:toot:

 

[TTA984]

Jan, Replaced the old torn shifter boot on the top my console, on my spare shifter plate. I used the Gorilla glue to hold it in place on the back. Came out really good!!!! Thanks for the tips. After comparing this boot to the original torn one and the one on my car, I believe it is not genuine leather. Oh well you don't always get what you pay for on e-bay. Someday will get the correct leather one.