I decided I wanted to get rid of the clunky looking auto shifter bezel and clean up the look with a manual transmission boot and flush chrome trim ring. It looks much better to me.

 

Looks good, just as long as you know how far to shift back, lol

 

Check out Redline for custom shifter boots: http://www.redlinegoods.com/

 

It's not a problem. Reverse is one click back. Drive you just pull it back without pressing the button in and it stops at "D". I have done this modification many times over the years with various cars and I never had a problem putting it in the correct gear. Even with the PRND321 indicator in place, I never looked at it. I always went by feel.

 

But you won't get the flush chrome trim like I have unless you already have a manual trasmission...

 

I love this idea. It'll likely fix the issues I've been having with the plastic trim around the shifter rattling and buzzing as well, so it's a win-win.

Where did you get it, and how much as well?

 

I actually went forward with this idea because of an incident I had when I accidentally rubbed the metallic gray paint off a spot on the console plate while I was cleaning it. I decided to look on eBay for a replacement and found one for a manual transmission vehicle with lighted cup holders. So I bid on it and won.

I got it for a small fraction of Ford's selling price which was $400 new. Getting this entire console plate is the only way you can get the recessed flush chrome trim ring for the manual shifter. The console trim for vehicles without lighted cup holders is much less in price but still expensive from Ford.

One may be able to get it from a salvaged manual transmission Mustang and carefully remove the boot with the chrome trim ring and install it into the console plate of the automatic as the mounting provisions are there. This method works best for cars that have the lighted cupholders but the donor vehicle does not.

If you do not care about the chrome ring, then just install a manual boot inside the shifter opening of the console plate. It works best with the shifter indicator bezel removed.

 

Hey WatchDevil...
I know this is an older post but I have to say... NICELY DONE!! I recently purchased a 2008 GT Convertible and am in the process of total customization! I would love to replicate what you did with the shifter boot from a manual to your automatic. Where is the best place to find it (with the polish ring) and do you have step by step instructions!?

Thanks!

Jeff