Let's Talk Shift Knobs!

"Mercedes Streeter" (smart) 12/22/2015 at 10:49 • Filed to: shifting

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One of my favourite mods to my smart is a custom shift knob. Back in 2008, there were companies in the USA that fabricated aftermarket knobs for smarts. But around 2010 when smart’s USA sales tanked, these companies stopped making them.

So, what was a young me to do when I really really wanted an 8 Ball shift knob? Hack one together myself!

I went to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and bought their full size 8 Ball shifter with automatic button.

The problem with this was that my smart’s shifter is unlike a regular automatic. The stock shift knob has a hilariously long plunger that activates a T-shaped piece of plastic. And of course, the 8 Ball came with a little stubby plunger meant for a generic automatic.

Funny enough, my first idea worked purrrrfectly. Just for giggles, I inserted a long, skinny socket into the barrel...and like magic, the knob worked as designed.

95,000 miles later, it’s still one of my favourite mods. I love working that stick. :D

Do any of you have any fun shift knobs? This post was inspired by this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! :)

(Top Photo: YES, I made a U-Haul smart in Fourza)

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 10:53

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my friend in his half broken supra has a Dragonball from DBZ shift knob..that’s the only thing about his car I lust after

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:05

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Spotted: Old school Apple sync cable.

Mercedes Streeter > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 12/22/2015 at 11:08

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I took the pic back in 2012 lol. I don’t think I have any current pics of the knob!

gawdzillla > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:15

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The best ones are the generic eBay delrin round knobs. Perfect weight, doesn’t get hot or cold. Just right.

Pixel > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:17

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The xB has a 3” extension and a 2” aluminum ball shift knob. Given how high the seats are off the floor, it puts it at much more usable height for me.

Once I get the truck repainted in its final green & white color scheme, I’m getting a 6 ball shift knob to match the color scheme.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:21

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Favorite Knobs? Easy!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:22

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Nope. But the 8 ball is awesome though.

Porsche was my first word > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:23

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Rock’n’Roll, baby or how to make your Smart a hot rod.

Mercedes Streeter > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/22/2015 at 11:24

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themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Mercedes Streeter 12/22/2015 at 11:28

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DarrenMR > Mercedes Streeter 12/23/2015 at 17:19

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MINI is stupid in that they have a knob that snaps on with a clip. So if you dont want the stock knob you need to drop the exhaust to put a short-shift kit on, or you need to use a knob with set-screws.

When I bought my car it had a knob with set-screws, and one of the 3 screws was missing. Literally on my test drive, shifting into second, I threw the knob into the back seat because it wasnt attached right.