Pool ball shift knob

TheJawsOfDeath · **Joined:** Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:56 am **Posts:** 305

I decided I needed a new shift knob. I always liked the look and feel of "cue ball" shifters on muscle cars, and realized that a pool ball is actually a really comfortable size to grab on to. Called up the local billiards supply place and found out they had a bucket of miscellaneous and mismatched balls for $2 each. Unfortunately they didn't have any cue balls. My next thought was an 8 ball because those are cool, right? None of those left either. Decided to get a 6 ball because it's green, my jeep is green, and my trans is a 6-speed. Perfect. The stock shifter comes right off, just have to push it down and turn. Took the top of the lever off the bottom by loosening the torx bolt in the bushing. I set up the pool ball in a drill press at work and chose a bit just SLIGHTLY smaller than the diameter of the shift lever. Drilled a little less than halfway through the ball. You have to put the shift boot over the lever before installing the new knob, as the coupling on the bottom is larger than the boot opening. Clamped the lever in a vice and tapped the ball on with a rubber mallet. It's a VERY tight fit and seems secure. If it ever comes loose I'll use some kind of adhesive, maybe. It ended up almost exactly at the same height as the top of the factory knob, it's comfortable in the hand, and has a nice heft to it that seems to make shifting easier. There's about a one inch gap between the bottom of the ball and the shift boot. Doesn't bother me.

67Customs · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:01 pm

TheJawsOfDeath wrote:

Called up the local billiards supply place and found out they had a bucket of miscellaneous and mismatched balls for $2 each. Unfortunately they didn't have any cue balls. My next thought was an 8 ball because those are cool, right? None of those left either.

Cue balls match any set. I guess you can say taht they can't be mismatched.

8 balls are always in demand. Everyone wants the 8 ball.

Good choice with the 6 ball.

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 2:45 pm

That's cool!

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:06 pm

That's cool as hell.

Cue balls and 8 balls are overrated anyways. I dig the 6 ball.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:11 pm

That is just awesome. Wish I had the ball(s) to do the same thing! :lol:

TheJawsOfDeath · **Joined:** Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:56 am **Posts:** 305

Thanks for the feedback. I have a feeling I'm going to get a lot of mileage out of all the balls jokes for this, haha. I might paint a line over and down with an "R" on it, just in case anyone else needs to drive it and find reverse...I'm not sure what would hold up to the wear from shifting it all day though.

67Customs · **Posted:** Sat Oct 22, 2011 2:48 pm

Just leave it the way it is and don't let anyone borrow your Jeep.

L.O. · **Posted:** Tue Nov 01, 2011 9:12 pm

Great job!!

I have a similar setup on my XJ. The only problem I've had is that over time, the ball twists to the right from the twisting movement of your hand as you shift ( I guess). So you might want to go ahead and glue it now while the 6 is nicely centered.

mikey1273 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:22 pm

how about having the line down to the R for the direction of reverse engraved into the ball? A bowling shop or place like a jeweler or things remembered might be able to do that.

I like the look of it..... very cool

TheJawsOfDeath · **Joined:** Sun Nov 05, 2006 3:56 am **Posts:** 305

Thanks, and the engraving is a pretty good idea. I don't know if I want to spend any more on what has been a $2 project so far, though. If I were to do it over, I'd have one custom painted in the exact metallic green shade of my Jeep.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:31 pm

nice!

Pool ball shift knob

Who is online