Whilst driving a vehicle besides your steering wheel, the next most used component may well be the shift knob. The shift knob is one of the most essential parts of a vehicle. It’s directly connected to your transmission system. So shift knobs allows drivers to shift gears in between driving. The shift does play a vital role for you as it also reflects the car décor.
The factory-installed shift knob is there for the vehicle. But it will not contribute to increasing your vehicle class. More often than not these factory-installed knobs may and do wear out. So you will have to replace them eventually. So, choosing the right knob is very important as it will not only be comforting to you but also contribute to charming your car interior.
The following sections cover all the attributes of the top-level shift knobs & how they will be of service to you. Even if you bare new to this topic the buying guide & the FAQ section will help you the most in this regard. There is a lot of variety these days in shift knobs, so a thorough read will certainly aid to select the best knob for your precious vehicle.
Best Shift Knobs Review
Some final suggestions for top pics and best shift knobs from our opinion are as follows.
1. Kei Project Dragon Ball Z Star Manual Stick Shift Knob
The Kei project has introduced this Dragon Ball Z Shift knob, specially designed to fit in your hands to give you a comfortable grip while driving. Kei project has ensured that this adapter is gonna fit that comes with the knob that will fit most transmission vehicles. It comes with 3 stainless steel thread adapters & 4 locknuts. Some automatic vehicles may need special adapters to fit.
This is made from high-quality acrylic which comes with outstanding strength & stiffness. Because of this formulation scratches are really not an issue. It even feels a lot smoother when being used against your hand. It is 53mm in diameter. The shaft sizes that are available M8x1.25M, M1 x1.25, M10x1.50, or M12x1.25.
If you are a die-hard fan of the famous anime television series Dragon Ball Z, then this shift knob will be your first choice without a doubt. With such an elegant style & Dragon Ball resemblances will take your car décor to a whole new level.
The only major drawback of the Kei Project Shift knob would be the low melting point of the adhesive holding the Ball of the knob & the Steel Thread together.
At temperatures around +100F, the knob would start to wobble & spin because the glue or adhesive holding the parts together melts.
This is a serious safety concern so this should be taken to point by consumers as well as the company. So, It is recommended not to be used in hot conditions or weather.
2. Mishimoto MMSK-BK Black Weighted Shift Knob
The Mishimoto MMSK-BK shift knob provides the users with a far better driving experience than the factory shift knobs. This knob has a weight of o.8 lbs., along with this weight the steel construction allows users to shift more smoothly & seamlessly. The exterior of the knob has polished aluminum finishing for a better grip.
This knob comes with a universal fitment allowing it to fit in any car you’re driving. It also comes with three M8 x 1.25, M10 x 1.5, and M12 x 1.25 plastic inserts to ensure perfect fitment. The custom shape certainly provides a smooth finishing.
This knob has an elegant finishing with Mishimoto’s signature “M” logo on top of the knob coming in both black & silver. The best part of the Mishimoto shift knob would be the lifetime warranty it provides. This shift knob would most certainly add flair to your interior drive.
The Mishimoto does come with some disadvantages. The slim design of the knob can be difficult to handle for smooth gripping experience as most drivers tend to keep their hands on the knob. The metal body can also get hot as the temperature rises.
3. DEWHEL Universal JDM Honda Acura 5 Speed Manual Shift Knob
The DEWHEL Universal Shift Knob is an outstanding choice considering the level of comfort & quality it provides to its users. It has a type R style for a better grip allowing users to get a comfortable drive. This knob is made from high-quality aluminum material.
It also has a top-notch black finish with a nice polished outer body. The top of the knob has the gear positioning detailing marked in red color. The red color in the black body gives it a very classy visible look.
The shift knob comes with a thread size of M10x1.5 with adapter nuts for fitting with Honda and the Acura car model. The DEWHEL allows the users to play with the gears without exerting too much force on them. So the Honda and Acura cars can really consider having this shift knob for a safer & secure driving experience.
This knob has some minor drawbacks coming with it. The metal may tend to get hot in the warmer conditions. It’s limited to only Honda & Aqua models. It is also eligible for only 5-speed gear transmissions.
4. RYANSTAR Gear Shift Knob Universal Shifter Knobs
The RYANSTAR Gear Shift knob has a very pleasant appearance & brings its users comfort as well as class. It has a round ball shape so that drivers have an easy grip on the knob. The diameter of the knob is 50mm. This knob from RYANSTAR is made from First Grade plastic material which has very eye-catching carbon fiber pattern its whole body.
The knob fits for most of the manual car models including Honda, Acura, Mitsubishi & many more. The product comes with 3 adapters to fit your shifters. The adapters are made of high-quality aluminum. They come in M8*1.25, M10*1.25, M10*1.5. So, be sure to see if your shifter thread is one of the above sizes.
It comes in both Black & Red. The beautiful carbon fiber pattern body adds an extra spice to your car interior. It is most certainly a shift knob to consider.
The body of the knob scratches very easily & even dents sometimes. In hot conditions, the plastic surfaces tend to become sticky. In warm weather the glue that holds the thread & ball wears out, as a result, the ball comes off.
5. ZHOL Universal Aluminum Automotive Motorsport Fantasy Manual Stick Shift Knob
The ZHOL Universal Shift Knob is one of the classiest ones available in the market right now. It is made from high-quality aluminum material. It has a shape of Stick sort. The weight of the knob is 158 grams that make this-one easy to handle and use.
The knob comes with three rubber sleeves. The most important feature of this product from ZHOL may be an easy installation.
After dismounting the original stick knob, you can adjust the size of the shifter by just adding adhesive duct tape if the rubber sleeves don’t match the shifter.
The Rubber sleeves come in 3 available sizes 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm.
ZOHL has certainly delivered in the looks of this knob. It has a very unique & vibrant color combination to its body. This color combination is very eye-catching & will improve the interior of your car décor.
The gear positioning detailing is also marked at the top of the knob.
In the hot conditions, the knob heats up a lot & even in the cold season it gets very cold. It is also reported that the color of the knob fades away after a few months.
6. Kei Project Katana Samurai Sword Shift Knob
Kei Project has come with a very unique & unorthodox shift knob to add some variety to your vehicle. Who wouldn’t be fascinated with a samurai warrior sword in his vehicle? This one is shaped exactly like the handle of a sword widely known as katana shape. It is made of solid steel & nickel-plated brass.
The knob has an overall height of 6 inches & the weight of the knob is 510 grams. The knob comes with 3 lock nuts & 3 adapters whose fitments are 8 x 1.25, 10 x 1.25, 10 x 1.50, and 12 x 1.25. That means it can fit in different sized gear shifters.
It has a very classy finishing with the polyester fabric adding a very appealing texture. It also adds a solid grip to the users & a more comfortable ride. The shift is much smoother too. This knob will certainly add an extra charm to your ride.
This may seem a very cool shift knob, but because of the thin shape of the knob, the holding of the knob is difficult. It is also seen that the fabric of the knob wears off fast.
7. Skunk2 627-99-0081 (10mm x 1.5mm) Six-Speed Shift Knob
Skunk2 racing shift knob is a weighted shift knob that offers its users a smooth shifting experience. The knob is made of entirely stainless steel. It weighs almost 1.45 pounds & the stick fit is 10mm x 1.5mm. The shape of the knob is an egg-shaped top flat.
The best feature of the skunk2 racing would be the scratch-resistant titanium coating that comes over the stainless steel body. It is very scratch resistant. Even in contact with metal scratch spots are almost invisible to the naked eye. It also feels very good in the hand.
The knob is designed especially for Honda models including Civic, Prelude & Accord. It has a very decent appeal for the eye. It also has the gear positioning detailing on top of the knob. So, overall this product will most certainly charm your car decor.
The gear positioning on the top of the knob seems to fade away after only a few weeks of use. This is actually disappointing. It is also reported that the nut that comes with the knob does not thread on.
Guide to Sort out the Best Shift Knobs
You have to keep some facts in mind before buying a shift knob. These factors will help you to purchase the most suitable product according to your needs. So, the important things to consider here:
Manual or Automatic
The type of transmission your vehicle has really important before purchasing a shift knob. Not all knobs will accommodate with automatic transmission vehicles.
Automatic transmissions don’t have the shift patterns etched on top of the knob, even the shift boot is absent in them. So, you really have to consider first whether the knob you are considering to purchase is suitable for your vehicle or not.
Material
Let’s see how materials can affect the knob detailing for the drivers:
Aluminum
Aluminum is one of the common elements that is used to construct shift knobs. But in hot conditions, it tends to get heated. So you have to use gloves in the warmer days.
Stainless Steel
Steel provides strength & durability to the knob. The steel can make shifting harder for the drivers. But like aluminum, these knobs also get hot during the warm condition.
Acrylics or Plastic
Nowadays Acrylics are used very often in production. It is quite durable & has a good grip. The designs also are eye-catching. But a point to note that they tend to get squishy or slippery when you have sweaty palms.
Comfort in Use
This may be the most important fact. A shift knob can be great in the market, everyone may like it. But you have to feel whether it is comfortable in your hand or not. Whether the grip is perfect for you. These factors really matter a lot.
Understanding whether it’s the one for you is very much intuitive. You know how big your palm is now comparing that with the size you’ll know if it’ll fit your grip or not.
Fitting
Most Shift knobs come with adapters so that it can fit your vehicle. There are some that are universal. But you still have to check whether the knob fits your vehicle. You have to check the specs carefully. Because it is not compatible with your vehicle, it’s of no use to you.
To be sure that you’re getting the right one, do cross-check the thread size of the knob with that of the car’s shift. If it matches you’re all good to go.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a shift knob?
Ans: The factory made knobs will fade or worn out very fast. So, you will need to replace it. They are a matter of comfort because you will be using it a lot. It also reflects your style towards your vehicle. It also improves shifting experience a lot.
Q: What is the difference between weighted & regular shift knobs?
Ans: A weighted shift knob carries more kinetic energy & momentum than a lighter shift knob. As a result, the weighted shift can move to the next gear more easily as it has more energy to it. In summary, the weighted shift gear allows the driver to handle the gear more smoothly & effortlessly.
Q: How to install a shift knob?
Ans: It is very simple to install a new shift knob. The processes are as follows
- At first, you have to set your vehicle to an emergency brake mood so that it doesn’t move.
- Then you have to just disconnect the old knob by rotating it anti-clockwise.
- Then you need to install the new knob in the same manner
Detailed instructions come with shift knob itself.
Q: Are all of these compatible with all vehicles?
Ans: No, all shift knob does fit all vehicles. It completely depends on your vehicle whether it is the right size. So, before purchasing you need to check carefully whether it is compatible with your vehicle.
Q: Are manual & automatic is the same?
Ans: No, they are different from each other 7 they will not one another as they have different systems. So, see the specs carefully.
Conclusion
Best shift knobs dispatch comfort and that’s the reason why this vehicle interior worth so much when you are using one. The ones mentioned in this article are all effective in their own way. Some show the classiness, some are for increasing your car décor & some more compatible with drivers.
The Mishimoto MMSK-BK Black Weighted Shift Knob can certainly be said to top the list. This knob has a very elegant design & comes with a lifetime warranty. It also makes the gear shifting much smoother. The magnificent design of the knob also put an extra flair to your car décor.
Those with a manual transmission can also choose the Skunk2 627-99-0081 (10mm x 1.5mm) Six-Speed Shift Knob. Its stainless steel body & titanium coating certainly delivers with the smoother gear shift.
But at the end of the day, it’s your choice of what you want or your vehicle. If someone is looking for car décor then the tool from Kei is considerable. So you have to see carefully which may seem more comfortable for you to use.
You may also like to read – best steering wheel covers
Hi, it’s Bucky Balls
CSE (Computer Science & Engineering) & MSC from Port City International University.
Working infield of WordPress, eCommerce Develop, SEO, Digital Marketing, Google AdSense an Affiliate Marketing Since 2010.
Online Certifications:
Bootstrap, JavaScript & PHP.
Google AdWords/Google Ads Display.
Google Analytics.
SEO.
Digital Sales.