Okay, this is the second time my transfer case floor shifter boot base has cracked mysteriously. (2003 F-250)

The first time it happened I found a factory original on the web from a Ford dealer in Texas for 50 bucks (about half the cost for the same one at my local Ford dealer) about two years ago or so.

Any one know of a place on the web or anyone who sells replacement ones that might last longer and maybe not be made of brittle plastic?

 

Mike:

Is there not an aftermarket universal boot that would work for you? I have not seen such a high failure rate, and would not pay that much money for something like that.
I am thinking that some sort of aftermarket unit might be far less expensive, and would outlast you OEM things.


By the way, A few of us So Ca. guys are headed up to Azusa Canyon tomorrow morning. The light rain will make for a nice dust free day. Should have some decent mud too.
PM me, if you would like additional info. We plan on hitting the road approx 8 am. I live in Claremont, just north of the 210. Azusa is a nice easy drive, and you can meet some of the So Ca. FTE guys. We might be able to look at that shifter boot problem, and see if we can solve that problem too,


75

 

Thanks for the invitation! However, I am not an off-roader. My 4x4 is all street and is strictly set up for heavy towing of my 5th wheel.

The first time this happened I just got my truck back from Gear Vendor in El Cajon. They had installed the overdrive gear set-up for me by way of Camping World's installers as a training session. I notice the floor ring was cracked about a week or so later. I can only assume they may have done so during installation.

Recently we have had very cold weather around the beginning of the year (as you know). My wife babysits my grandson and I wonder if he stepped on it while it was cold while climbing into the car seat. I dunno....but it should not be so darn delicate. I ordered the new one (you have to buy the whole thing, not just the floor ring!) from Chino Hills Ford and promptly cancelled the order when I went home and found it on the i-net in TX for half price including shipping. I save the info, but have had to format my HD last June and had not backed up all my "Truck Stuff" folder!!

It really doesn't matter that they are only 48 bucks, I just don't want to buy it again only to have it break again. Do you suppose that 4x4 shop on Holt Ave near Central has just the floor ring?

I would like to come up to Azusa anyway just to see what goes up there for the fun of it. My son used to off-road in Utah and says it is a blast. He wants to take mine and do it. NOT with street tires, I said! Anyway, he was a photographer and associate editor for Super Chevy magazine until Friday. They laid off 200 staffers!! Every body is going down the tubes! He's kinda down in the dumps, so it would be fun. Today would not be good since it is his birthday and we are all set for feasting (Fiesta!). But I will tell him and we will keep in touch so we can go on some Saturday (Sundays are generally out of the question).

 

Nice reply. Since this is your post, it is impossible for us to hi-jack it.
As far as the shop on Holt, that shop belongs to Greg, He is a friend of mine, and I am very familir to that place. I buy all of my stuff through him. That has been a nice mom and pop shop for years, and I do my best to stay loyal.
You can reach Off Road Enterprizes at 909-621-9999. Tell him Ed in the Big Red 79 Ford sent you. He will chuckle, and do his best to help out if he can.

Now, lets talk about this trim ring. My SD had ESOF, so I did not have a floor shifter, so I am not real clear on what this ring looks like. I do however have a few ideas to "build a better mouse trap". Is it possible to make one from either carbon fiber, or some billet aluminum? I have some machines and some T-6 that we can probably use. I am sure that we can duplicate the original trim ring. If this is the part that is failing, then we should make a superior one. I am sure that I can mill one out, and it will look great.
You can then powder it (I have a local coater too) or anodize it, polish it, grain it, paint it, heak, its up to you.

Too bad about your son. Unfortunately many places are cutting back, and many will suffer. I am afraid this will get worse before it gets better.
Fingers crossed that he will bounce back, and find some work.
Tough times right now.

As far as the invite, we had a good time today, (visit us in the So Ca forum) see our pics, or PM me for details. The offer is always open, and everyone is welcome.

 

how about getting some vids on youtube? i've already seen some stuff on there from azusa. only one that really stands out at 4am is the cooker. everything i've seen on there about the canyon looks cool and would eat up some more.

 

F81Z7277BC .. Transfer Case Shift Boot

MSRP: $49.98 // FTEpartsguy.com price: $35.99.
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F81Z7277DC .. Transfer Case Shift Boot ~ Mexico assembled trucks only.

MSRP: $51.98 // FTEpartsguy.com price: $37.43
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FTE Sponsor: FTEpartsguy.com = Ed Olson @ PARR FORD in Bremerton WA.

 

75,
See if this link helps or works. 4x4 on the floor pictures from motor sports photos on webshots

Your offer is tempting. After you check out the part, or I can produce the old one we will discuss it further.


If you can see it it angles up along the side of the tranny tunnel.

Dummy, Thanks a heap for the info. I will surely check it out, and no doubt go for it. I need a fast fix.

 

How many of y'all belong to FTE's SoCal Chapter?

There was a chapter GTG at Burro Canyon (off 39) several months ago.

No four wheelin' ...just shootin'

 

Thanks for this pic. Am I understanding that the boot itself is alright and the ring that surrounds the boot is the busted part?
This part has a few compund angles going on, and while not impossible to reproduce in billet aluminum, my mill might not be the tool to perform this. However I do have access to a CNC mill and the machine is a multiple axis machine, and I could probably write aprogram to duplicate this.
If it is not in a bunch of pieces, and is just cracked, then I ca use it to make a mold and make one out of carbon fiber. This would take only a few hours to lay out, and I can guarantee that it would be stronger than any hunk of plastic that you will ever buy.
With this method, there are several ways to make this look just like an OEM piece, and not a Honda type race car, that the kids are throwing carbon fiber all over. Real carbon fiber, is strong and not that difficult to work with. Real hard on tools once everything is dry, but that is a different story. I might like to tackle this as an experiment. Even if you decide to ourchase a new OEM unit, from one of the vendors that Bill provided, I would like to borrow the busted one. I like to tinker, and this is right up my alley.


Yes NB, I am a member, and I have met a few of the other members, but I have yet to attend a GTG. I have had other obligations during these events.

 

75,
After I come back from Utah I will check you out. I will definately give you the piece(s). The FTEpartsguy.com sent me an email and said he does not stock it, but can get it. So, I have to call him back. Right now my schedule is very tight, so I will re-contact him later.

I work long hours at VONS grocery company in Santa Fe Springs as the head warehouse refrigeration mechanic. I am up at 4:00 am and don't get home until 5:45pm. I am leaving tomorrow night for Utah and will be back on Tuesday. I am having an exploratory medical exam for a stomach tumor Weds. Depending on the out-come I may be laid up for a few weeks if they decide to cut it out. (Ain't life great!!??)

Carbon Fiber is the way to go!! I really, really appreciate your help and offer. Thank you very much.

 

I wish you the best with your medical needs.
All kidding aside, sir, my best wishes to you. I mean that. Hope everything turn out for the best.
As far as contacting me, you may either cotact Steve Bricks in the So Ca forum, or just PM me, and I will gladly give you my contact info. We can meet for lunch when you return and we can discuss your carbon fiber requirement.
I have been folling around with this, and I am in the process, of vacuum bagging a carbon fiber grille shell (shhhh top secret stuff, though not any more huh?) and also in the process of making a 4" cowl hood for a 73-79 ford. This stuff is tough as nails, and is terribly light. Interesting to work with, though painfully expensive.
Regardless, I am interested in attepmting to make this piece. I believe that I can do it, and keep it looking like an OEM piece.

Again, take your time, and I wish you the best.
BTW, if you need someone to drive by your place, feed any animals, or pick up any mail while you are gone, you really are just down the road from me, and I would be glad to collect anything and save it until your return.

 

I'm also close by, as y'all can see. I'm retired, have lots of free time, and am always ready to help out.

 

Wow, gentlemen I am really touched by your sincere kindness and offers. Fortunate for me my son and his wife live just around the corner and will be taking care of the stuff here while I am on the road. But do not think I am very grateful to you all for the offer.

Actually, my son will be coming with me. His wife will stay here. He is going to set up a website for his automotive photography business and my son-in-law in Utah is an expert website builder. He also has an interview next week with K&N filters in Riverside. They need a photographer.

The FTE partsguy shipped my part today. Fantastic service! Nevertheless, I want to do that carbon fiber item just to say we did it!

We will chat later when I come back. I want to introduce my son to you and see if he is interested in getting some 4x4 on-the-rocks pictures.