grisszoo86
Obsessed member
I do like the look of them but seems like they weigh less than the original.
The main reason why I changed my gear knob was the extra weight. I found it helped my shifts.
GR86 GR86 Gear Knob Thread
- Thread starter AndyRC
- Start date
I do like the look of them but seems like they weigh less than the original.
The main reason why I changed my gear knob was the extra weight. I found it helped my shifts.
Agreed. They look very nice but look a little out of place. If the rest of the interior had some tan accents or something it would be great. Or perhaps there's a very dark wood that would suit.
I've tried both big knobs and small knobs (lol) and heavier ones do make the shift feel smoother, but light ones can give more mechanical feel. Completely down to preferences though.
Silver Fox
Totally Hooked
- May 7, 2022
- 3,597
- 8,218
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I picked up a used GR86 in August and am currently on a mission to bury the cheap plastic interior under as much aluminium and carbon fibre as Japan is willing to supply me. In all honesty, I think the factory knob is actually a very nice part and probably the most premium thing about the interior from factory. However, as I‘d got to the point of planning to throw 90% of the the TOM’S parts catalogue at this car I decided I may as well just go the whole hog, so…
TOM’S Carbon Shift Knob:
For my taste, it is a decent visual upgrade and feels very premium quality. Doesn’t seem to react to outside temperature/direct sunlight so should always stay comfortable to use. It does feel marginally less weighty than the factory knob - that was initially disappointing as I’m coming from years of living with Audi/VW manuals and used to a lot of weightiness in shift feel. Having spent more time with the TOM’S knob however, I’ve started to think the slightly more mechanical feel and mild uptick up in NVH suits the car, I’m very happy with it.
TOM’S Carbon Shift Knob:
For my taste, it is a decent visual upgrade and feels very premium quality. Doesn’t seem to react to outside temperature/direct sunlight so should always stay comfortable to use. It does feel marginally less weighty than the factory knob - that was initially disappointing as I’m coming from years of living with Audi/VW manuals and used to a lot of weightiness in shift feel. Having spent more time with the TOM’S knob however, I’ve started to think the slightly more mechanical feel and mild uptick up in NVH suits the car, I’m very happy with it.
I have been playing with knobs again. After ditching the Billetworkz last year (too cold) which was heavier than OEM, I wanted to try something lighter. I'd seen the Blitz knob, but I'm sure at the time they only did it with the red collar, and also, it comes with a logo on the shift sticker - both things I didn't think matched the OEM+ asthetic. So for £60 or so, I decided not to bother (https://www.fensport.co.uk/collections/toyota-gr86-2020-on/products/blitz-gear-shift-knob-13850-gr86)
I then happened to look at them again and noticed that they do different colour options....and it was on reduction at Blackhawk Japan, and I had a load of points to use. Ended up ordering it with a silver collar (to match the existing trim) for £45 delivered last Wednesday, and it arrived today. No extra import fees.
It's a nice design - a solid metal inner which screws on to the shifter, with a plastic (or maybe delrin?) shell which screws over that. And I was pleased to find that the shift pattern is a separate sticker - I really don't like stuff with aftermarket logos on, so I'm going to see if I can find a generic H-pattern replacement in the same size. Hence, in all the pictures I've left it off for now. It also means no issues with pattern alignment, as you can just stick it on in the right orientation when the knob is fully tightened. It blends quite well with the interior, and the shape is very similar to the OEM knob, but a bit smaller.
Been out for a quick drive and it feels really nice! I know most people go for a heavier knob because the extra mass makes the shift feel smoother. But the downside is that I think it can also make you a bit ham-fisted, and the extra momentum of that mass can mean you kind of rush the synchros, rather than letting them do their job. This lighter knob lets you feel them working a bit better. Plus, less weight at the top of the shaft means less inertia to move around, so it kind of feels more accurate. Especially now I have the TRD short shifter. Can make very quick shifts when needed.
Will see how it goes, only issue at the moment is that it's a bit smaller and smoother than OEM, so I need to get used to it. But it's a very similar shape; the other light shift knob I tried on my GT was a Tomei, which gave the same gearbox feeling, but I couldn't get on with the cylindrical shape, especially as it was also smooth.
I then happened to look at them again and noticed that they do different colour options....and it was on reduction at Blackhawk Japan, and I had a load of points to use. Ended up ordering it with a silver collar (to match the existing trim) for £45 delivered last Wednesday, and it arrived today. No extra import fees.
It's a nice design - a solid metal inner which screws on to the shifter, with a plastic (or maybe delrin?) shell which screws over that. And I was pleased to find that the shift pattern is a separate sticker - I really don't like stuff with aftermarket logos on, so I'm going to see if I can find a generic H-pattern replacement in the same size. Hence, in all the pictures I've left it off for now. It also means no issues with pattern alignment, as you can just stick it on in the right orientation when the knob is fully tightened. It blends quite well with the interior, and the shape is very similar to the OEM knob, but a bit smaller.
Been out for a quick drive and it feels really nice! I know most people go for a heavier knob because the extra mass makes the shift feel smoother. But the downside is that I think it can also make you a bit ham-fisted, and the extra momentum of that mass can mean you kind of rush the synchros, rather than letting them do their job. This lighter knob lets you feel them working a bit better. Plus, less weight at the top of the shaft means less inertia to move around, so it kind of feels more accurate. Especially now I have the TRD short shifter. Can make very quick shifts when needed.
Will see how it goes, only issue at the moment is that it's a bit smaller and smoother than OEM, so I need to get used to it. But it's a very similar shape; the other light shift knob I tried on my GT was a Tomei, which gave the same gearbox feeling, but I couldn't get on with the cylindrical shape, especially as it was also smooth.
grzoostuff
Totally Hooked
I'm looking for the either the TRD or Trueno Shift Knob seems to be the same thing - anyone know best place to buy direct from Japan or US?
A bit steep on ebay when you then add in customs:
Cheers.
Trueno Knob
A bit steep on ebay when you then add in customs:
Cheers.
Trueno Knob
Biff32gtr
Obsessed member
Renzokuken86
Dedicated member
I contacted Toyota Direct Parts about the GR knob and they said they can do it for £212.76 inc vat and postage. Holding off on it for now but might be temped myself further down the line!
grzoostuff
Totally Hooked
Happy with my new Trueno knob, basically same as the GR, weighted, flat top, lower down so feels shorter shift, think this beats the OEM knob for me.
Been a couple of months and I think I'm reverting back to OEM again. The Blitz makes the shifts feel nice, light and mechanical...but my hands are quite big and it feels a bit too small sometimes, and I prefer the leather exterior. On balance, the OEM one is probably the best compromise of weight and feel.
Christ, I'm so picky about this sort of stuff
. I still maintain that there's a market for shift knobs made to exactly the same size and external materials as the OEM one, but with different weights. Maybe someone could make weight inserts so you can fine tune it to your preference, like with some gaming mice.
Christ, I'm so picky about this sort of stuff
. I still maintain that there's a market for shift knobs made to exactly the same size and external materials as the OEM one, but with different weights. Maybe someone could make weight inserts so you can fine tune it to your preference, like with some gaming mice.Decided to stick with the OEM one for now. Blitz is up for grabs if anyone wants it. Probably ended up doing less than 200 miles with it, so it's absolutely perfect.
