Shifter knob

Shifter on my 59 Cj5 does not have threads for shifter know. I see on parts places that there is a push on. How does it keep from spinning around, which is what it does now. I also see they offer a threaded version but I guess they came in both versions.

 

My problem is when they occasionally pop off and roll under the pedals.

If I cared enough, and if I ever got around to it, probably a little glue would fix it.

But it's one of those uniquely weird things that make Jeeps lovable.

 

Mine is the push on type. Just replaced it. It went on pretty hard. Couldn't easily turn it after it was on.

 

Like the loose knob on the newel post that Jimmy Stewart appreciates so much he kisses it in the movie It's a Wonderful Life.

 

So how exactly do you install it. Hammer it on?

 

I replaced mine last year and it split when I drove it on a cold day and new spins and falls off

 

I suppose if it really bothers you, it could be glued on with some silicone caulk, rubber cement or hot glue. In the 3B, driving along playing with it sort of entertains me. A friend would drive my Volvo and somehow pull the shifter knob off. Not really a big deal but the overdrive button is in the top of the knob so you would have to rewire the switch then put the knob back on. Its glued on now.

 

On my 55 M38A1, I boiled the new knob in water, with a glove on shoved it on hot, once cool it has never moved in 3 yrs.

 

I used an old(antique) black ceramic door knob. Looks cool, stays on and doesn't crack like the old rubber one.

 

Is the original knob actually made of rubber, or is it Vulcanite?

It is a very hard substance, enough so that I thought it might be Bakelite.
Mine isn't loose in the slightest, appears to require a great struggle to get it off if i wanted to and if it ain't broke, don't fix it---but it is kind of ugly...

...they apparently don't age well and turn grayish brown with age as well as looking kind of pitted or porous.

Anyone ever polish one with good results?

 

I found a Brass door knob by a building that was being demoed, it was a Drug Store in the 40's, it is a 5/16 thread, I buffed it and it will make a great shift knob, my shift lever is threaded. I would thread your lever and you would have all kinds of options. Good Luck. I think I have an extra original, will send it to you if you want, PM me I will look for it.

 

I have a push on. Mine was badly cracked and came off of my hand constantly when I got it from the PO. I bought a new one and hammered it on with a rubber mallet. That was 2 years ago. Already cracked again. My dad is an electrician by trade and we have plenty of threading tools so will thread when I get around to it. The fun thing is if you do thread it you can add 'vintage shifter knob' to your scavenger hunt list! Some cool ones on ebay.

 

One of my shifter knobs came from an old bar. Said 'Schlitz' on it.

 

I saw a beer taper with a 32 caliber Owls head pistol on it, thought about making a shift knob out of mine.

 

Easy way to make the shifter stick thread is to take a bolt that fits the shifter knob you want to use, and weld the bolt head to the shift lever. Use a correct nut for a jam nut. Instant knob threads! Good luck!

 

^ did that