Installing leather handbrake boot?

Danny_Ocean · 04-18-2007, 06:48 AM

I just received from Pelican a leather handbrake boot (PEL-PP900623). It's probably too late as the part has already torn upon installation but...does the molded-in hand grip REPLACE the plastic hand grip or does it COVER the plastic hand grip? Also, is the "sack" supposed to cover the entire handbrake assembly or do you still need the rubber boot to cover the "guts" on the floor? This part only partially covers the assembly.

morrisjm1 · 04-18-2007, 08:57 AM

Danny,

I got one for Christmas, they look nice. Yes, you have to remove the old plastic hand piece. I had to split it with a utility knife to get it off. I elected to not glue the new on, it doesn't move around too much. On the the one I have, it completely covers the handle and rubber boot, which I left in place. The skirt tucks in under the carpet. I did take longer than I thought it would to get it on and around the rubber boot, it might be easier without it. I left it on to help keep dirt our.

Mike

Danny_Ocean · 04-18-2007, 11:56 AM

Ooohhboy...wondered why that sucker was so tight. Y'think they'd put some instructions in with the part?!?

Thanks.

Danny_Ocean · 04-18-2007, 03:39 PM

Oops...I was just about to throw away the packing envelope and, lo & behold, I found instructions...my bad.

You'd think for idiots like me, they'd put a notice on the outside of the envelope indicating "instructions inside"...

SoCal70RSR · 04-20-2007, 02:26 PM

Danny,

I'm thinking of getting one myself, would love to see some pics of how it looks installed.

cak · 04-20-2007, 02:39 PM

I bought one of these from the other PP (I couldn't find it on Pelican); I imagine it's the same part.

I removed the rubber boot (it was torn anyway). I had to elongate one of the holes to allow for full travel of my heater control. I didn't use glue, either.

I'm a little disappointed that the holes for the levers aren't trimmed in any way, but I guess that's why it's so inexpensive. I've got lots of excess material around the bottom, so I'll eventually cut a 1/4" wide strip off and use it to finish the edges of the lever holes.

All in all, it's a huge improvement over the rubber boot!

slodave · slodave's Garage

Here's mine. I removed my center console and was left with a bunch of wires, that are now out of sight under the leather cover. I wish the skirt was a little longer, so that it would tuck under the carpet better.

Dave

randywebb · 04-20-2007, 02:48 PM

Does anybody know of one where you don't have to chip away the plastic handle?

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Randy, I search around for that as well and only found the one offered by performance. Pelican was kind enough to post it on their site (within 1 hour of the request). The problems with this model (which I do like) is that you have to cut the stock plastic handle, the holes for heating should be finished (which I will have a local upholstery shop do), and I really think there should be some type of wire in the lower section sewed into the leather to keep it under the carpet. If there were enough leather in that area I would have that mod done locally as well.

cak · 04-21-2007, 11:38 AM

Here's a picture of mine:

I've got lots of extra material to go under the carpet. My biggest complaint is that the inside is not black, so it's quite visible. I'll eventually trim some of the excess that's under the carpet and use it to trim the holes, including the visible inner portion.

Of course, the metal parts aren't in great shape... but I'm not going to go there.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

wonder if you can dye the inside to help out a bit.

randywebb · 04-21-2007, 12:48 PM

Those are all good ideas, Tom.

I wonder if AppBiz might be induced to create an improved version?

Danny_Ocean · 04-21-2007, 08:44 PM

I don't know where the heck you guys find these parts that fit correctly, but my boot covers about half of the e-brake assembly... According to the Pelican parts search, the boot I ordered should fit every 911 from 60-something thru 80-something.

Will post pics tomorrow...

slodave · slodave's Garage

Danny, there is a similar leather piece that is half the size and is used for those cars that keep the hard plastic center console between the seats (later models).

Dave

Danny_Ocean · 04-22-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slodave
Danny, there is a similar leather piece that is half the size and is used for those cars that keep the hard plastic center console between the seats (later models).

Dave

Well, that's just great. I'm glad they mention this in the item description...

Does anyone know the part # for the "long" handbrake boot? Anyone need a "shorty"?

Here's the one I bought:

PEL-PP900623 Leather Handbrake Boot and Grip, Black, with One Lever to Right of Handbrake, 911/930 (1965-89) $49.95

cak · 04-22-2007, 01:51 PM

Quote:

wonder if you can dye the inside to help out a bit.

Brilliant! This reminded me that I had a can of black spray leather dye in the paint cabinet. It took several coats, but now the most visible thing around the boot is the chipped paint on the handbrake and levers

The spray-on stuff stiffened the leather a bit, but that will soften with time, and it has the advantage of letting me position it a bit better.

I had to make the holes even a little larger after fiddling a bit. I'll eventually trim the edges of the holes, and perhaps put a light bit of stiffening wire under the trim.

This would be better made from vat-dyed leather, so it started out black all the way through. And if the slots had been trimmed, I wouldn't have been able to modify them so they fit "just so".

All those changes just drive the price up, of course!

Danny_Ocean · 04-22-2007, 07:11 PM

Here's a pic of the "short" boot installed. Anyone have a part # for the correct boot? I have one lever to the right of the handbrake.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Wow, that is the wrong one for sure! If you got here I'm sure they would swap it out for the correct.

Danny_Ocean · 04-22-2007, 07:39 PM

Yeah...I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Unfortunately, this one tore when I installed it (see above). I'll have to pay a luggage repair shop to repair it first.

SoCal70RSR · 02:44 PM

Is this the right one for my application? Just got it delivered...

The part number is: PEL - PP900622

Without taking the handle apart on my parking brake, it looks short about one inch with not enough material to under the carpet. I think I need the one similar to slodave's (pic on his post). Can anyone confirm?