What did new four speed floor shift knobs look like?

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:13 pm

Hello!

When our trucks were new, what did the shift knobs on the four speed, floor shift transmissions look like?

Mine has indentations illustrating the shift pattern that aren't filled with paint of any kind, and the indentations are worn from decades of use.

I'm thinking I'd like to make a knob look factory fresh by putting white paint down in the indentations, making the shift pattern stand out in high contrast. But was this the way our trucks came from the factory?

Thanks!
-Robroy

heartless · Post by **heartless** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:17 pm

When I got my 67, the shift knob did have very faint traces of white in the indentations, so i did exactly what you are thinking of doing.

I used a white model enamel paint and a VERY tiny brush to very carefully apply the paint in the indentations. looks pretty good when done if you are careful.

6T7Merc · Post by **6T7Merc** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 2:48 pm

What ive done in the past for things like this is sprayed the paint directly onto the indentations and then took a piece of paper towel which has a very small amount of wash and wipe on it and then wipe over top of the indentations. This takes the paint off around the indentations while leaving the paint in the indentations. Make sure you wipe lightly or you will take the paint from inside the indentations also.

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:55 pm

Mine is worn smooth. Probably a theft deterrent with my T18 transmission because nobody would be able to find reverse up and to the right.

balcom · Post by **balcom** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:07 am

Mine had the numbers and pattern still visible. I cleaned the knob, painted with white, used a very fine sand paper and sanded the white away (everywhere except the numbers and lines). then polished it and sprayed clear on it. the only problem is now the rest of my truck looks bad...

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:01 am

Thanks for the great replies; it's good to know that the knobs came with white paint in the indentations originally. I like those methods of spraying paint right on the knob then sanding or wiping it away form the high surface, so it remains in the ruts.

Steve, I like your anti-theft device!

Thanks again,
-Robroy

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:13 pm

I finally found the photo I took of my shift knob; I want this puppy to look like new.

-Robroy

SteveC · Post by **SteveC** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:37 pm

my 67 with a 435 has a pretty good know 80% of the white is still there i can get a pic if you want

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:52 pm

Hey Steve I'd actually be quite interested in that, if it's not too much trouble!

That shift knob must have low miles on it for paint to have clung there all these years. Any idea how many miles are on that vehicle?

Thanks!
-Robroy

SteveC · Post by **SteveC** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:58 am

well the vehicle its self 73-84 thousdand miles , engine less than a 1000 tranny no idea since i went from a auto to a manual and the shifter knob dad had in his shop.... its probally from a internatiol since that is what dad drove a lot but it came from a np435 so its the same thing ill go out and snap and pic in a few and post it for ya

SteveC · Post by **SteveC** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:08 am

here ya go several for ya

SteveC · Post by **SteveC** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:31 pm

hey robroy did these pics help you out any??

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:11 pm

Hey Steve! Yes thanks very much for taking the time to post such great photos of the shift knob!

They did help me out; I'm sure the appearance of your shifter is the same as the T18 appeared when it was new, even though it's an older transmission.

I'll have to tackle mine and try to get it to look nice like that!

Thanks again Steve!
-Robroy

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What did new four speed floor shift knobs look like?

What did new four speed floor shift knobs look like?

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