zombie_stomp

No shifter boots were ordered, but the shift boot trim was offered to use for a pattern. I decided to wait until someone actually orders a set for a 2nd gen to make a pattern off of their boot trim.

The next leather project I am undertaking is a spare steering wheel from my friend's parts stash. It is a tan 1st gen 4wd 2-spoke steering wheel and I am going to leather wrap it.

bootscootboogie

iTrader: (1)

outstanding craftsmanship buck-o

1985 4Runner

It turned out great and I am very happy!

Thanks again.

I8URSVT

iTrader: (1)

Any updates on your leather projects? I will be very interested in leather shift boots for an '84-88 pickup soon! Just curious, could you do the stitching in a different color? Like black leather with red stitching or similar?

zombie_stomp

I have lots of different colors of thread and can get even more in large size decorative upholstery thread. I can also get different leather colors. I've done tan and grey so far. Finding the right color without having to buy an entire hide for a hundred or two hundred can be difficult but still possible, unless you want to do a steering wheel, knob, and boots in which case I'd need to buy a hide anyway.

I made these 4Runner shift boots and can make more. I still have that color grey. It was a little lighter than what was originally wanted but the customer ended up liking it. As you may be able to tell, I sewed them to the metal frame. They can also be mounted with just contact cement as is how it has been done with my '82 pickup single boot and others like it I have made for people. That also doesn't show around the border. But if you want to have them sewn I of course need that metal frame sent to me, or the whole thing if you want them mounted. The fellow I made the above set for also had a way of notching the leather at the clip points to reduce stress on the plastic trim. All these things I can do or you can DIY depending on your needs.

I8URSVT

iTrader: (1)

Those boots look awesome! Can you pm me some prices on what you would charge to do shift boots? I'm thinking i would possibly have 2 sets of shift boots made, 1 similarly to the one you posted but different color and then 1 with a transmission boot and 3 transfercase boots similar to this pic (looks like there is a lot of excess material, but you get the idea). Is that something you could do if i provided the metal ring?

RustBucket

iTrader: (1)

The grey leather boot Zombie showed above was made for me, and indeed it turned out excellent and I am very happy with it. My truck is still in the body shop but once it's back on the road I'll finally get it installed and post up a proper review.

toy_tek

Still making these? I would like a black one for my 83.

Gisselberg

Still making boots etc? im interested in getting the arm pad shifterboots and armrests done for my 91..can ship parts to you and hide if need be.

-Mike

zombie_stomp

yes, as long as it's one of the sewn ones from fabric/leather type material. I don't make rubber replicas. Yours should appear on the first page of this thread if you have an 83. I have recently realized that some of the earlier models have rubber boots. I'm not sure what year the fabric boot started but it might just be an '82-'83 thing. Anyway, look to the first page for the price and PM me to work out an order, I look forward to making more of these for people. I just got set up in a new shop after 2 years of working out of a bedroom.

zombie_stomp

I'm about to be making more of them than ever, especially the arm rests and such custom work now that I got a new place to work. If you have pictures of your parts you can post or PM to me, it will help me estimate what they will cost to cover in leather. The more you do at a time, the better color match will be possible.

toy_tek

Sweet... PM sent.

zombie_stomp

if you tried to send a PM, it did not go through. I don't have any new messages. I look forward to the next project.

toy_tek

Oops, sorry, fixed. I had sent it to your "visitor messages" accidentally.

adn

I looked on the first page and didn't see a price. I'm interested in the gray shift boot pictured above. Could you let me know how much? Thank you.

toy_tek

Got my shift boot installed today... looks great. thanks Joel.

zombie_stomp

Just sending my best tidings to my customers and prospective customers:

-I know I have made some good shifter boots that have satisfied many. I thank you for your business.

-I leather wrapped a shift knob. I would like to do that again, and have some interesting ideas on how it could be done even better.
(side note: how many of you would like to have a new shift diagram inlay to the top of the knob? I could get it to happen, but only if I get enough votes. May need to ask elsewhere as well.)

-I never came through with the set of door panels for someone who asked. I'm sorry. I think the thing to do is take a crayon rubbing with pattern paper over the door to get precise hole location before proceeding. I hate crooked screws, and I'm not sure how many people would go for the screw-in design, even though my system is very clever. I'd need some very precise engineering to replicate the factory panels for true restoration, but most people just want them to look decent. I tend to obsess.

-I didn't get that extra steering wheel, but if someone wanted a discount leather wrap job as it would be my first steering wheel, if you have a spare, ship it my way. I've now got the wherewithal to do the job, and a good mentor to help me along. Just look at the shift knob I did for the level of quality I'm capable of. There are other stitch patterns available, but so far I'm best at the baseball stitch. The others will just take a little more time to learn and execute.

Thank you everyone so far whom I've done business with, and welcoming in the new restoration for the rest of you!
What can I say, I love old reliable machines.
Best,
Joel Thomas
Thomas Textiles

se7enine

iTrader: (2)

I don't have any spare door panels as of yet but if you want a set of rear panels for 84-88 4Runners I have those. I replaced mine because the PO cut out for speakers and I don't care for the hack job they did. Should be a good base for you to practice on and get measurements from. Maybe we could trade, say a shifter boot for both panels? Let me know.