Gearshift Lever-mounted Control Switches

[Hemissary]

The other day I was surfing eBay looking for decent gearshift lever knobs that I could possibly add control switches to when I came across this unit:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140265550923&ssPageNam e=ADME:B:EOIBSA:CA:11



When it arrived, I was able to take it apart:



After some modifications, I added two switches. the one on the front side is a single-pole-double-throw momentary-on switch (3 leads will come off the switch - when the switch is depressed one set of contacts opens and another set closes) that you depress to actuate.

The second side switch is again a single-pole-double-throw, this time rocker actuated (3 leads - ON/ON in this case):



Now this gearshift knob borders on the comical in it's original finish with the translucent side pieces. I prepped and painted the body parts semi-gloss black, but am now torn whether to leave the red translucent side pieces as-is:



To deal with the "thickness" of the knob's base versus the thin gearshift rod (I dislike chrome), I have created a thicker looking stock similer to what i did with the headrest arms:



...on the gearshift rod. however, in this shot I think the translucent red clashes not only with the wood grain but generally looks kinda ricey (please excuse the insult - I am refering to those who take imports and try to make them look/sound like something they are not):



I am considering painting the inside of the lenses black, which would remove most of the red so-to-speak. I also considered painting the inside silver or gold to mimic a candy paint with those colors as the basecoat, but I think it would stand out too much. Or I could paint the exteriors the same semi-gloss black and be done with it.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Addendum: what may you ask are the switches for? Well, the rocker switch could arm NO2, the momentary-ON switch could actuate a line-lock, or temporarily interrupt PWR to the DSS module (this causes the CAN bus to ignore any more I/P's until a key-cycle), or also arm NO2 systems, etc...

[riperoo]

And LED inside the red housings would look awesome, maybe tint it with some VHT nightshades to dareken it up and then back light it with a colored LED, that would look T*ts, like you idea for thikening the shaft, well done, beans for the mod. And BTW the shifter is reminding me of a Huey stick, what are you going to use the switched for? Taking out bogies???

[txnhockey3]

Glad this worked for you. I had attempted to run some wires with one of my shifters and after 2 hours of messing around with the thing i gave up and put the stock one back on......

[Giantchief]

Bro very unique! This is straight out of mad max. Killer switches

[lowriderman3]

Awesome mod man!

[NOTPAID4MSRT8]

Very good idea; thought you might be having "James Bond" switches and FLING OUT passengers.... LOL

[Papapig]

I like it. I believe the word is "T*ts...
Beans for a great mod

[Giantchief]

Originally Posted by Papapig

I like it. I believe the word is "T*ts...
Beans for a great mod

Oh you mean TITS! I agree

[stingrayj]

Originally Posted by NOTPAID4MSRT8

Very good idea; thought you might be having "James Bond" switches and FLING OUT passengers.... LOL

lol! Now that's a mod! Ejector seats!

I would probably just paint the inserts opaque and be done with it. I would go for a deep gloss black.

As for hiding the comparatively thin stalk, you could try chopping it. Kinda looks like the new shift knob is taller than the stock anyway. Nice mod!

[Hemissary]

Originally Posted by riperoo

And LED inside the red housings would look awesome, maybe tint it with some VHT nightshades to dareken it up and then back light it with a colored LED, that would look T*ts, like you idea for thikening the shaft, well done, beans for the mod. And BTW the shifter is reminding me of a Huey stick, what are you going to use the switched for? Taking out bogies???

LED's - definitely do-able...

Originally Posted by txnhockey3

Glad this worked for you. I had attempted to run some wires with one of my shifters and after 2 hours of messing around with the thing i gave up and put the stock one back on......

It's not wired in yet, but thanks to Junior on LX Forums who was replacing the PARK lockout mechanism, he has saved me taking the shifter module apart myself to confirm indeedy I can run flexible leads through the sliding plate and into the module itself. I will leave enough lead material as a strain relief from PARK to DRIVE, and exit them out the module somewhere convenient.

Originally Posted by Giantchief

Bro very unique! This is straight out of mad max. Killer switches

Originally Posted by NOTPAID4MSRT8

Very good idea; thought you might be having "James Bond" switches and FLING OUT passengers.... LOL

<grin> lessee now...an oil sprayer that deposits some slippery material unto that Z06/M5/Aston Martin/etc's nearest rear wheel prior to a showdown...hmmm

Originally Posted by lowriderman3

Awesome mod man!

Originally Posted by Papapig

I like it. I believe the word is "T*ts...
Beans for a great mod

Thanks!

I'll add to this thread when I have installed it. I want to cut down the gearshift shaft ~1/2" or so, then shrink some black glue-lined heatshrink onto the shaft itself..right down to the bottom so no chrome shows, then a short length of split rubber fuel line hose to support the corrogated wire loom sheathing that will hide/protect the 6 electrical leads.

I'm thinking now of just painting the translucent side pieces glossy black basecoat/clearcoat for durability, I just can't imagine any other color working here...