Shifter Boots from Colombia

[L60Boerne]

Greetings Patrollees Worldiwde,

Just a note to say I have order six sets of the shifter boots from the ebay seller anspira. They look fine when received. Their rubber compound is lacking. They last no more that 15 months before they crack and split at the seams. They cannot be recommended. Is there another source?
Patrolling for new boots,
L60Boerne

[plateaucal]

Same experience, just buy another i figure.

[RiverPatrol]

Unfortunately that is the only source. Has been for quite a while. On rare occasion an NOS one shows up on eBay.

[moore_rb]

The earliest Patrols (up to mid-66) all came from the factory with a black rubber accordian boot on the shifter, and grey sewn vinyl boots on the twin sticks and the hand brake...

the shifter boot is a generic round rubber boot,inside a larger rubber boot, so there are many aftermarket options out there, and I've also found a couple sources for vinyl twin stick boots. I was planning to buy these (in grey), and then cut them apart and use the shifter boot for my handbrake...:

https://www.strongholdshiftboots.com/pr ... t-boot-set

if you prefer rubber for the twin sticks, then check these out:

https://www.ihpartsamerica.com/store/JB ... BJEALw_wcB

google: "twin stick boot" and then hit "shopping"... You will be rewarded with more options than your brain can process.

[L60Boerne]

Rob, Have you used those those boots? Do they fit nicely around the perimeter of the opening? I hate gaps or misfitting. If you say they fit, I'll load up.
Regards,
L60Boerne

[moore_rb]

Rob, Have you used those those boots? Do they fit nicely around the perimeter of the opening? I hate gaps or misfitting. If you say they fit, I'll load up.
Regards,
L60Boerne

I have not tried them yet... But it looks like they have enough material that they can be made to fit, so I will probably be taking the risk, if I decide to go the vinyl route. Still debating on the best choice (vinyl versus rubber) for the Blue Bondo Bucket. Since it will be mostly convertible, the boots are going to get a lot of sun and UV.

Most premium marine-grade vinyls these days have a 10-15 year full sun exposure specification, so I'm leaning that way. As you guys are finding out, the rubber being used in the Columbian boots does not seem to have any UV inhibitors added into it.

Of course I will provide further details and updates as I get to that point in the build.