Just want to send out another big thanks to Doug. Super work.

Also, my expierence getting the stock shift **** off wasn't too bad with all the threads out there. Here are a few threads just in case anyone comes across my thread here.

First, I know many say just yank on the **** and tada. Personally I wouldn't do it that way just because you may affect the integrity of the boot.

I removed the stock **** by doing the removal of the boot method

Thanks to the following which helped me out and hopefully this helps out others.

Cooper Mods
http://coopermods.com/archives/3
Great info just needed a little extra detail which I found at Robin Casady

http://www.robincasady.com/ShiftKnobs/ebrakeInstructions/BootInstall.html
Note the plastic clips with the red pointer. Those are what your looking for when your reaching under the silver ring. The biggest NOTE here is when reaching your want to pull those to the center while pulling up on the ring.

I found starting at the 7-8 o'clock position the easiest with the stick in 2nd gear because there is only one clip there. Then I worked my way around clockwise.

The next step was the toughest for me. Removing the **** from the boot. It took a while to get the little plastic fasteners pushed into the center. I don't have any tips for this. I just used some pliers and squeezed the little fasteners together until they weren't so tight then I was able to push all four into the hole and popped out the **** from the ring holding the boot.

Here is a shot of the guts.
http://www.whalenshiftmachine.com/in...in_page=page_4
See the white plastic piece with the little hooks (I guess that is what to call them), your trying to push those through the ring holding the boot on.

Hope this helps a little.