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Tony P

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Tony P

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I have owned my TR4 since 1970, I have had the tunnel off countless times. One thing that has always stumped me is the mounting of the shift boot. How can I put the shift boot on without taking the tunnel off? As you may know it is a pain and a lot of work, anyone know what to do?
 
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Welcome to the Forum Tony!

Well I can't really recall if I have installed the shift boot at times other than when the tunnel was off but I do not recall it ever being especially difficult.

I assume you have the original cardboard tunnel? One thing that might make this easier is to dress the edge of the hole where the boot mounts as it can get thicker (sort of furry) as the cardboard gets worked there. I used something (possibly water proof carpenters glue) to stiffen that edge and tighten it together. A thinner, harder edge should be the result and that may make it easier to coax the lower lip of the boot on there.

I also use Vaseline freely when assembling rubber parts -- doesn't seem to hurt anything and makes the rubber slip on tight things easier.
 
I don't have the original cardboard tunnel, I have a plastic one from Moss. I always install it with the tunnel installed. I use a little soapy water to lube it first.. By the way, replacing the tunnel with the plastic one was one of the best mods to my car! Easy to do, and much sturdier than the cardboard...
 
Ok thanks guys. I guess I will strip off the carpet and modify the shift lever hole as recommended. Then next time I have the tunnel off I will replace it with the plastic one. Thanks for the help.
 
I have a fibre-glass tunnel. The whole for the boot was cut quite big. Its easy to pop the boot in from the top with the tunnel in place.
 
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