So....does anyone out there have any cool ideas on this topic? There are lots of xB autos (and xA's - are they same shifter?) and I can only imagine many people would like a custom high-quality alternative to the stock one, right?

After all you touch it all the time - that and the steering wheel (by the way - the Scion leather covered one is very well done I think) are the 2 most frequently used tactile objects in the car.....

makes sense to me to trick it out - there are literally thousands of stick shift options - why accept the standard ugly auto xB handle?

Any suggestions.......??

they sell auto shift knobs if that's what you're asking..

Yes and no.....they make knobs, but only 2 that I can tell - the RAZO and the NAPOLEX LEVOC - both makes (in a few styles each with O/D button) are cheap chrome plated plastic sci-fi crap......what is needed is a "retro" old school style made in a "real" material like alloy, leather or wood with the O/D button integrated.....I think I might try to hand make one using the stock model as the beginning....and was wondering if anyone with all the elaborate mods that people have done ever tackled this challenge? Lots of people have nade one-off items - but never a stylin' high-quality AT knob....of course, there are many unique and cool standard shift knobs available (and they are much easier to customize and hand fabricate than AT with O/D's)......so

One more question - I never have NOT engaged the O/D - why would anyone? I guess that an AT knob without the O/D button can be used if you never need the option of disengaging O/D, right?

I'm pretty sure the O/D is for towing or going up steep hills, it changes the gearing when it is disengaged. I don't know though, my box is a stick.

I've used it some to get another gear down on demand when trying to get a head of steem to pass.

driving between Vegas and Cali I use the OD button alot. It helps hold the transmission while climbing large hills and also helps slow the car going downhill sort of like downshifting.

basically i only disengage my O/D for engine braking. It would be nice if they did more auto knobs though. Why should all the stick drivers have all the fun?

Exactly....there are MANY auto xB's out there.....people trick out all sorts of stuff - some details you rarely ever see let alone touch all the time everyday!!! The knob is crucial - only the wheel is more important to the touch....and, of course, the seats, but you don't touch them as much as feel them.....

whatever.....

the point is - all you MOD NUTZ - super tuner dudes - custom fabricators super deluxe guys totally ignore the knob!! (not your own probably - bad joke!).....

so....get on it!!! - make some cool unique HIGH quality versions AND then sell them - just like all the 199 types of armrests out there now.....

I've got an idea cooking along these lines, but can't divuldge anything until I either do it or scrap the idea completely...

DO IT SONIC MAN!!!!!! You are definitely into the xB thang and recognize what I am saying....

I am relatively new, but very enthusiastic....wait until you see my finished box...unique to the core.....artbox....

think quality and tactile - and old school....leather, aluminum, real silver, ebony wood, whatever......

I am in Hanoi, Vietnam until the next year and want to use the incredible talented and cheap craft here to make a cool knob.....

BUT I need a stock one right now to use as the model - ANYONE have one they want to sell cheap? I really need one ASAP.....maybe I will make a few......