homemade shift knob

[elwood blues]

Has anyone made thier own shift knobs? From a pool ball or any other random thing?

I picked up a couple of fairly old pool balls at a garage because I thought they'd look cool as shift knobs. It seems pretty straight forward, and I've read to use either a heli-coil or a rivnut for the thread insert. Just wondering if anyone else has made thier own, post up pics if you've got them

 

[BusaDave9]

I made a couple shift knobs from pool balls (8 balls). I just drilled and tapped it. I didn't use heli-coil. You just want to drill strait toward the center of the ball. It's easiest with a drill press. I used a board with a hole about 2 inches. The 8 ball sit down deep into this hole so it wouldn't move.

 

[BusaDave9]

Here's the final product:

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The OEM shift knob is held in place with a lock nut.

​

I took this lock nut to the hardware store to make sure I would get the correct size drill and tap. Sorry I don't remember what size it is. I drilled half way through the ball because the tap can't tap all the way to the end of the hole. I marked the drill bit so I wouldn't drill too far. Next step, tap it. I used the lock nut under the 8 ball to hold it in place.

I like the 8 ball because it's just the right size to fit in the palm of your hand. I made this 8 ball shift knob back in the late '80s and have used it in many cars since then. Actually I made 2 for the CJ7 I used to have. One for the tranny one for the TCase.

 

[elwood blues]

I didn't know that you could just tap the ball, I just assumed that whatever material the ball is made from would just strip out.

That's cool Dave, thanks

 

[Petescj]

Im beginning to think Dave has the answer for everything.

I had the 8 ball shift knob on my CJ5 and Dave is right , very comfortable. You'll like it.

 

[BrockGrimes]

I'm kinda hard on shift knobs and like mine to stay put so I drill the ball and insert one of these and use 5ton epoxy or something similar to hold this in. I use a dremel to groove the inside of the hole I drilled so the epoxy gets a bite on the ball and the insert.

I use these:

 

[1986cj7]

I made a couple shift knobs from pool balls (8 balls). I just drilled and tapped it. I didn't use heli-coil. You just want to drill strait toward the center of the ball. It's easiest with a drill press. I used a board with a hole about 2 inches. The 8 ball sit down deep into this hole so it wouldn't move.

What kind of drill bit did you use? Masonary or plain old drill bit?

 

[BusaDave9]

What kind of drill bit did you use? Masonary or plain old drill bit?

Just a plain old drill bit for wood and steel.

 

[BrockGrimes]

Yup me too

 

[CJ007]

I don't know your reasoning behind the 8 ball, so don't take offense, but you seem much more creative and cooler than going with that.

Anyway here's mine;

I made from my Valve cover nut, spider gear I pulled and a 20 ga shotshell with some silcon. Besides been unique, it has a bonus, it's great to grip when off camber and it feels odd so my wife doesn't like it and won't want to drive . Jk, the T-18 and SOA ended that some time ago!

 

[coldair]

Thats a pretty cool shift knob never thought about using a spider gear. i have a little piston i made into a shift knob ill have to get some pictures.

Anyway here's mine;

I made from my Valve cover nut, spider gear I pulled and a 20 ga shotshell with some silcon. Besides been unique, it has a bonus, it's great to grip when off camber and it feels odd so my wife doesn't like it and won't want to drive . Jk, the T-18 and SOA ended that some time ago!

 

[coldair]

sorry that looks like i said i built that spider gear shifter.

 

[7D8CJ]

Mine's not homemade but I do have probs with it comming loose. I'm going to try the BrockGrimes insert. Should solve my prob.

 

[CJ007]

sorry that looks like i said i built that spider gear shifter.

I don't think anyone noticed or cared anyhow :laugh:.

I was hoping to see the piston if you didn't delete.

 

[coldair]

I don't think anyone noticed or cared anyhow :laugh:.

I was hoping to see the piston if you didn't delete.

If i can find it i dont have it on anything right now i moved so have to look for it.