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Billet Aluminum Shift Knob

Discussion in 'Prime Accessories and Modifications' started by Bonobo.P., Dec 26, 2020.

  1. Bonobo.P.

    Bonobo.P. Member

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    Hello guys,

    I 've been machining some shift knobs for a few Prius in the last couple months and finally I decided to put it on sale and I would like to have a pulse from you guys on the design of the shift knob.

    03.jpg 13.jpg 02.jpg

    and also I made a few in black powder coat:
    14.jpg




    Hope you all are doing well!!
     
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Looks good:).

    How much:whistle:.
     
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  3. BLee76

    BLee76 Junior Member

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    Wow! Looks great! How much would you charge for it (including shipping)?

    SM-G973U ?
     
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  4. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    I like the shape of them. Machining looks nice on the back sides too.

    I'm not a big fan of the front face though.
    Are the horizontal lines machining marks or camera glare?

    Also the spiral machining marks (I assume from end milling) don't look as nice especially considering how smooth everything else in the car is. Is there something you can do eliminate machining marks? Maybe polishing?

    Lastly, is the aluminum raw? Have you considered clear anodizing or hard anodizing?

    LOL the suggestions I made probably add $100 to the price...
     
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  5. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    My dad and his friend has been experimenting with Prius shifters of every generation for the past eight years. He even was commissioned to do research by a Toyota supplier to do research before the Gen 4 shifter was finalized.

    They experimented with the design of the knob and the length of the shaft. Every time, he found that a round centered knob was more ergonomic and easier to find and operate that the oblong ones on the Gen 3 standard Prius and the Prius v.

    The shaft is too long, since there is almost no resistance as in shifter forks to mechanically move. The springs are there only to return the shifter to the center neutral position. All shifting is "fly by wire" with the shifter moving small magnets between Hall effect sensors.

    Basically, the Gen 4 knob centered around the shaft but retained the long shaft. A short shaft shifter would be more ergonomic being easily moved by the flick of the index finger without needing to be gripped to be moved.

    The shortened shaft is also safer as it does not intrude as much into the passenger area. tapestry shift knob.jpg tapestry_dash_view.jpg

    I have attached a photo of one of these on my 2012 Prius v. The short centered knob was used on the navigation panel of the original Apollo command module.
     
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  6. Mikhail Bond

    Mikhail Bond Member

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    Do you have the cad file for this?
    Would you be willing to share it?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Pretty easy to machine on a lath and to mill the flat spot on the top of the knob. I do have a cad file for shift pattern. I do however prefer a domed top and and a sticker for the shift pattern. OEM's could have has it used a pad printer on one of the plastic trim bezel pieces.
     
  8. Bonobo.P.

    Bonobo.P. Member

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    I'm selling them $50 with taxes and shipping included.
     
  9. Bonobo.P.

    Bonobo.P. Member

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  10. Bonobo.P.

    Bonobo.P. Member

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    thanks for the feed back!
    Yes, those marks are from the end mills. I've been thinking to make some of them with anodized finish in red, black and one in silver.
    Some people we do like the machining marks but some just don't like the industrial look type.

    Anodizing is cheap in big quantities, it might be worth the try. If you are interested in getting one, and would like to do a special color on it I could get it quote it with my local supplier. let me know.
     
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  11. Bonobo.P.

    Bonobo.P. Member

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    Wow! how cool is that! I love the multi layer colors.
     
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  12. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    It is made of a product produced by Rutland Plywood in Vermont. It has become very rare, since the plant burned down in August 2014 and has never been rebuilt. Here are some links to this fantastic material.

    Turning Tips

    Dymondwood Turning Blanks and Pen Blanks | River Ridge Products

    I have attached photos of some of the other colors that I have, green.jpg applejack3.jpg This amazing material can be threaded and screwed onto the shifter shaft without using a metal insert.

    It accepts a high polish and has the feel of the old bakelite shift knobs found in the vintage cars of the 1930's and '40's. The shape fits naturally in the hand,
     
    #12 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 28, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    On a Gen 4, shortening the shift lever rod would required it to be cut off. The center of the new knob would have to be closely bored to the diameter of the stud. A hex set screw whould beed to be fitted tl lock the knob in place 90 degrees from the axis of the shaft.

    Anyone who has used the shortened shifter would immediately know the difference and would find the OEM shifter awkward and would not want to return to it.

     
    #13 Georgina Rudkus, Dec 28, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2020
  14. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    It appears that you used 6061-T651 aluminum alloy. Simply, lapping the surface on progressively finer grades of wet-dry sandpaper on a flat surface will remove the end mill marks. It then can be polished with automobile compound.

    Threading an M8x1.25 bolt onto the knob and chucking it on a lathe would be an alternative method of samding and removing th end mill larks.
     
  15. AldoON

    AldoON Member

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    I know I'm going off topic.. but this is reminding me of this idea:


    Also, It's unfortunate shortening the lever on a gen 4 is such an irreversible process... Otherwise I'd really consider the upgrade.

    For now, I think I'll to stick to a stock shifter :(
     
  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Used Gen 4 shifters can be had on eBay for less tan $50 delivered. So, cost is not really an issue.