GT-R shift knob on 7AT +pics

truman_greg · 05-09-2012, 10:11 AM

Although I feel that my installation is very sturdy, I am not the most sophisticated at using a dremel, etc. I started taking pics of the process, but quickly stopped when I realized this would take me a few days to complete - I apologize for that. I'm quite certain that those of you more handy than me can accomplish this whole project in an hour or so. I put the GTR knob on and drove around for a few days before any modifications were done to get a feel for the project - the GTR knob will function properly on the original shift stalk without modification.

1. When you take off the OEM knob, you will see an inner stalk, an outer stalk, and a piece of plastic that sits on the inner stalk. Critical info: all measurements need to be taken when the shift knob is in manual mode, from the -(minus) position. This is because it is the lowest plane the shift knob will travel.

2. I used a pipe cutter to cut the outer and inner stalks. This gave a very clean cut. I cut the same amount off the inner and outer stalks.

3. The GTR knob, like the OEM, requires that you duplicate the 2 vertical slits on the outer stalk. I used a dremel for this - this was easily the most difficult task (for me).

4. At this point, the piece of plastic that used to sit on top of the inner stalk will not fit anymore once the inner stalk is cut - this is because the inner stalk is much thinner at the top in order to fit the piece of plastic. You will need to fabricate another piece of plastic, or try to thicken the inside of the OEM one. It is a fragile piece. I ended up making my own, but Office Depot sells a house branded plastic pen whose body will fit exactly over the inner stalk and duplicate the function of the OEM plastic part. If you cannot fabricate this piece of plastic, the Office Depot pen body will work just fine. It doesn't sound great using a 99 cent pen for a $325 knob, but it may save someone some time for now.

5. Put the GTR knob on, and mark each side where the pin will sit. Then gently dremel the outer stalk on each side.

6. Lube the stalks with lithium grease.

7. Put the GTR knob on.

I hope this helps someone. If you make a mistake, you must buy the entire shift assembly, which I think is over $350. Originally, the GTR knob was selling for about $200, but Nissan recently discontinued that knob (I think there were peeling issues) and came out with a new knob that is a different part number for $325, but functionally the exact same. I had to buy the new GTR knob.

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05-09-2012, 10:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
truman_greg Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 9 Drives: 2010 370ZR Rep Power: 16	Although I feel that my installation is very sturdy, I am not the most sophisticated at using a dremel, etc. I started taking pics of the process, but quickly stopped when I realized this would take me a few days to complete - I apologize for that. I'm quite certain that those of you more handy than me can accomplish this whole project in an hour or so. I put the GTR knob on and drove around for a few days before any modifications were done to get a feel for the project - the GTR knob will function properly on the original shift stalk without modification. 1. When you take off the OEM knob, you will see an inner stalk, an outer stalk, and a piece of plastic that sits on the inner stalk. Critical info: all measurements need to be taken when the shift knob is in manual mode, from the -(minus) position. This is because it is the lowest plane the shift knob will travel. 2. I used a pipe cutter to cut the outer and inner stalks. This gave a very clean cut. I cut the same amount off the inner and outer stalks. 3. The GTR knob, like the OEM, requires that you duplicate the 2 vertical slits on the outer stalk. I used a dremel for this - this was easily the most difficult task (for me). 4. At this point, the piece of plastic that used to sit on top of the inner stalk will not fit anymore once the inner stalk is cut - this is because the inner stalk is much thinner at the top in order to fit the piece of plastic. You will need to fabricate another piece of plastic, or try to thicken the inside of the OEM one. It is a fragile piece. I ended up making my own, but Office Depot sells a house branded plastic pen whose body will fit exactly over the inner stalk and duplicate the function of the OEM plastic part. If you cannot fabricate this piece of plastic, the Office Depot pen body will work just fine. It doesn't sound great using a 99 cent pen for a $325 knob, but it may save someone some time for now. 5. Put the GTR knob on, and mark each side where the pin will sit. Then gently dremel the outer stalk on each side. 6. Lube the stalks with lithium grease. 7. Put the GTR knob on. I hope this helps someone. If you make a mistake, you must buy the entire shift assembly, which I think is over $350. Originally, the GTR knob was selling for about $200, but Nissan recently discontinued that knob (I think there were peeling issues) and came out with a new knob that is a different part number for $325, but functionally the exact same. I had to buy the new GTR knob.