Has anyone re covered transmission shifter

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BHMCruiser said:
It's your truck, and opinions definitely vary on these things.

I shouldn't have spoken in such absolutes.
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That's absolutely ok. Not everyone absolutley digs the wood grain and now I absolutely know you are one of the ones who absolutely doesn't.

I will take your opinion under advisement though I am still inclined to resist such change for the time being since I am not absolutely sure I agree with you.
 
jamisobe said:
That's absolutely ok. Not everyone absolutley digs the wood grain and now I absolutely know you are one of the ones who absolutely doesn't.

I will take your opinion under advisement though I am still inclined to resist such change for the time being since I am not absolutely sure I agree with you.
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You will like it better.
 
Keep an eye on Ebay. I found one that was in perfect shape from a Lexus but the bidding ended at around $300 it was wood though..about a week later I came across a replacement from a 94Lc that was in really good shape ..paid $50... install was removing the shifter and the center console cover and splicing in the OD wire .Pretty simple.
 
Sidebar: I think Toyota's leather quality dipped a bit in the mid-90s. I had an 86 Celica GTS with a leather shift knob. Hundreds of shifts per day, and it stood-up fine for years and years. I see all these 80 series shifters, which get handled once or twice per journey and all the leather covers are ratty unless replaced or serviced....
 
IronYuppy said:
Sidebar: I think Toyota's leather quality dipped a bit in the mid-90s. I had an 86 Celica GTS with a leather shift knob. Hundreds of shifts per day, and it stood-up fine for years and years. I see all these 80 series shifters, which get handled once or twice per journey and all the leather covers are ratty unless replaced or serviced....
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Mine still looks good. I just don't like it.
 
MDarius said:
I don't think you'd have to worry about it slipping around if it's tight.
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Yes, you do. My e-bay side buisness is leather trim goods. The problem with leather on high traffic surfaces is that leather stretches. You just can't use any kind of leather it really has to be tanned and stretched properly so the 'give' is taken out of the leather, or after a couple of years you'll have a loose, sloppy cover again.

And sure, sewing up a new one from the old pattern SOUNDS easy, but getting it to look right is the hard part.
 
Wood transmission shift knob?

I've been looking at replacing my shifter for at least two years now (along with the steering wheel). I must have gotten one of the crappy version of the leather for both items. I've owned the cruiser since new and I know its been babied but the wheel and shifter look so crappy I find myself trying to hide them when I drive so others won't see how bad they look (I'm a shallow person).

I've never found a person to give me a straight answer on what other years/models of toyota/lexus parts will fit the 80 but I know most of the steering wheels and shifters from the 95-02 range look the same, so a camry, avalon, ls400 ls450, etc... should fit - but I've yet to try (but I'm getting close).

I'd like to switch both items to wood, just for the durability - but I'd like them to match also. At least with wood, you could always lightly sand it and then re-finish it and give it a coat of poly to protect it.

I'll post pics if I ever bite the bullet.
 
If I'm not mistaken, all the wheels and handles that are leather covered are just stock vinyl undernath. My wheel probably doesn't have much life left in the leather, after it's done, I'll just go vinyl.
 
For steering wheel covers I think anyone with problems should invest in Wheel Skins. They are nicey made, durable and look great. No affiliation, just a happy customer. But whatever you do, measure it exactly because it will not fit right otherwise.
 
IronYuppy said:
Sidebar: I think Toyota's leather quality dipped a bit in the mid-90s. I had an 86 Celica GTS with a leather shift knob. Hundreds of shifts per day, and it stood-up fine for years and years. I see all these 80 series shifters, which get handled once or twice per journey and all the leather covers are ratty unless replaced or serviced....
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I think this mostly has to do with the fact there's no real armrest in an 80 so people rest their hand on the shifter constantly and wear out the leather. I know I do.
 
Recovering

If you are going to recover the knob on your own it would be best to use fusible for the backside of the leather. As noted in an earlier post the leather will stretch. IF you don't know already fusible is like netting with heat activated adhesive which binds to the leather. It stiffens it up a little bit and keeps it from moving around too much. You can find it at fabric stores.

chris
 
Any recent attempts to recover/replace the transmission shifter leather?
 
Yes, sent off a steering wheel, shifter knob, and emergency brake lever boot to Dallas Custom Steering Wheel in Texas, they did a good job, but I forget what everything cost. The steering wheel by itself was around $400 shipped, had an thin layer of fabric installed between the rubber and the new leather which cost maybe $50 more, it made the wheel a tiny bit fatter.

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Italian Leather, Ostrich press imprint.
.5mm braided thread W/ baseball stich

535iz0V.jpg
 
our 80 got a new OEM shifter handle a bit more than a year ago
 
Proud of them too!
 
Forgot to mention, I had a shifter knob and emergency brake handle boot all recovered in Oak colored leather, same as steering wheel.
 
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