Hey all - I've always struggled to figure out how to seat my dust boot, and no matter how I jam it in, it either drops down or pops out or something. Finally had my mechanic look at it today and he said whatever janky setup this is is most DEFINITELY not stock, and now that's super-obvious every time I look at it. He recommended getting a big, thick piece of insulation or something and just dropping it down in there around the shifter, and I'm not above that, but I'd be interested in knowing what it's supposed to look like - maybe just returning it to stock will be better.
Here's what it looks like now:
That does help explain why it's ridiculously loud inside - there's nothing between us and the motor/road but a flimsy, not-even-seated-right dust boot!!
Originally there would have been a large rubber boot that went from the oval I'm the floor board up to the shifter itself. They dry rot or tear. I have never seen one intact at a junkyard. I also have never found a new replacement anywhere. Wranglers have round and smaller holes in the floor board.
I used the tattered remains of my original boot as a pattern to make a sad(but effective) boot out of heavy duty duct tape. It keeps the cold air out in the winter and the hot air out in the summer
That is some XJ Engineering right there! Smart. Hard to believe nobody would have come up with some sort of replacement. I may poke around and see if I can find anything, and if not I'll see if I can at least get some pics of one to create something. Thanks TT!
I would like to thank my mother and Cruiser, I know it is rare that I ever post anything that is actually useful on this forum, but in this situation, I am OCD and have to have the original shifter boot with the OEM hole locations because for some reason drilling new holes in scenarios where it doesn't actually matter if its old or new holes is a cardinal sin in my brain XD.
You can thank me later . Keep in mind if this does not look exactly like the shift boot you have in there THAT IS OKAY a shift boot is a shift boot, if you can get it to work then USE IT. I personally did not have to do anything but bend the things to the proper shape it is supposed to have, bolt holes were even in the same location. Here are my vehicle specs (Look Down XD).
I am going to say this - that sure is a CRAP photo for a brand-new product - looks like they pulled it out of an 87 that somebody rolled after 350,000 miles!! Man, you're a life-saver - thanks again!!!
I ordered that same boot 2 years ago. It was nowhere even close to fitting my 98. It wasnt wide enough or long enough. Maybe other XJs have a different hole in the floor.
Ok so upon further reflection I realize that while that second boot is really going to help, I still don't really know how to properly attach the upper boot in. Can anybody confirm how their upper boot (the one I already have) mates to the top of the console? At least having a semi-decent seal there would help too.
The rubber boot attaches to the plastic frame and that locks in the center console. It kinda pops over the frame. If its tore out then you'll need a new boot
Judging from the self tapping screws, something is already broke. They arent the most durable thing
The rubber boot attaches to the plastic frame and that locks in the center console. It kinda pops over the frame. If its tore out then you'll need a new boot
Judging from the self tapping screws, something is already broke. They arent the most durable thing
His plastic frame is broken. That is why I also posted a link to it so he can buy a new one.
Well in my spastic attempts to maintain three threads of issues I didn't even catch the link to the plastic frame - thank you Griffy! Ordered that too. Amazing how much difference just having that top boot half-seated makes in the noise - I am gonna be in HIGH COTTON AROUND HERE
. Keep in mind if this does not look exactly like the shift boot you have in there THAT IS OKAY a shift boot is a shift boot, if you can get it to work then USE IT. I personally did not have to do anything but bend the things to the proper shape it is supposed to have, bolt holes were even in the same location. Here are my vehicle specs (Look Down XD).
