Custom Billet Shift Knob for Toyota Tacoma (2-1/4" diameter). ***Utilizes factory boot.***

This might be the ticket I needed for ordering a bar of stainless.

I can easily modify the remaining aluminum knobs that I still have for this.

 

Thanks, very helpful review. I really don't have an issue with getting into reverse. When I first did the URD install, I couldn't get the ball extension seated over the 'C' clamps properly and it was damn near impossible to get it into Reverse. 5th and 6th were equally difficult. There was no way to know what gear you were in--serious PITA. Buddy of mine who did this install on his 2nd gen took it home and rigged it up so he could seat it properly (beat it stupid with a hammer) and it worked--budged about 1/4-1/2". Made all the difference in the world and I have zero issues getting into any gear--shifts like butter.

I think I'll be happy with the weight of the aluminum knob, but now that this hybrid aluminum/SS model is being discussed, I don't know!

 

If you can make this happen, I'm in. I'll hold off on the aluminum order until you decide if you are going forward with this model.

 

just be like me and buy them all

here's a few and there's more around here somewhere.

 

I will work out the numbers for it tomorrow, hopefully the outlook is good.

Stainless is literally 5x more expensive than equivalent aluminum, and I will have to buy both for these. The good thing is that I only need 1.5" aluminum bar in place of 2.5".

I have a feeling we're not going to like the price point, if I'm completely honest.

 

I do not, stock for now.

 

That looks great! What ball park are you thinking price wise?

 

Fvck, I feel in a few short years...im gonna have as much of a collection.

Ditto

 

I hear you. If not, then I’ll place my aluminum order and be done. Let me know what you come up with. Thanks for trying to work out a happy median on weight and materials—really appreciate your dedication and services/skills.

 

I am in for either stainless or aluminum AT knob! Excellent craftsmanship and made in the good old USA!

 

Okay, so we have options here.

1. To keep material costs down as much as possible, the outer shell would have to be 6061 aluminum, and the interior features would be stainless. 1.5" diameter stainless stock is fairly similar in price to the 2.5" aluminum. This would only double my material costs.

I am also looking into anodizing. For this to be worthwhile, I'd probably have to make enough quantity for it to make sense, as most places have a minimum charge. Then, it's a few dimes per part after that. I believe I can engrave through type II anodize with little worry of it flaking off. Testing would be needed, but I see people out there doing it with 0 problems. I would probably use this place. Have used them in the past, and they are pretty good ... http://www.hillockanodizing.com/3.html#

2. Stainless outer shell with aluminum core. 316 as you see it here, or I could even switch to 440C stainless, and add a heat treat option to get it up to 50-60 rockwell. This would protect it from scratches and nicks, but would obviously add even more cost. I have access to ovens, and know how to treat 440. BUT, I do not run that area of the shop ... so most likely I would need to hire an outsider to perform this.



The tooling cost and work time increase is about the same either way, so I think those are the important points above going forward.

Option 1. Cost will start at $115 (current aluminum starts at $85). Anodize would likely cost nothing if I could take batches of 20+ to the anodizer.
Option 2. 316 shell/aluminum core would start at $130, and 440C shell/aluminum core $140. Heat treat upcharge for the 440 would be similar to anodize, I'm thinking (nothing, if I had enough qty).

And then, same as it has been for engraving and shipping on top of that. If this method became popular, I could likely figure out ways to make them in 100g increments; From 300g all the way up to 900g. Custom weights, and 100% symmetrical/balanced.

Yes ... it's all pretty involved and expensive, but totally do-able nonetheless.

 

This is great, thanks. Not enough of a price increase to discourage me. I know you wrote at the end you could likely provide specific wights, but given how you outline it above, do you know approximates weights of Option 1 and 2?

 

roughly 400g for #1 and 600g for #2 as seen in the picture. I can mess around with the dimensions a little bit for both pieces to change the weight, but that will be on a case to case basis.

 

Awesome, so is the plan to move forward with this plan? If so, sign me up for Option 2 please.

 

I'll take option 2 also when your ready or need a Guinea pig to try it

 

I want one, too ... haha. I will order the material right now.

 

2.5" OD 316 SS (6ft)
2.5" OD 6061 Al x (6ft)
1.5" OD 6061Al (6ft)

^ That should all be in by the end of the week. That inventory will last me a long time, I'm thinking.

I also found 1ft of Black Delrin on the rack, which has probably been there for about 15 years.

I scored some 3" OD 440C, so I'll try to make a heat treated hybrid prototype for myself this week.

Also, I did the math on a delrin core as a 3rd option to the above post, and it only saves about an ounce/28g relative to aluminum.

 

Okay, so apparently "this week" turned into "a few hours from now".

I'll get it heat treated tomorrow, off to engrave it now.

I tried to get it as close to 500g as reasonably possible with this setup.

 

want