For those of us with the "J-gate" style shifters, there may be an aftermarket fix coming this summer to address the paint nicks and chrome peeling that the factory shifter gate areas seemed to be plagued with.

I did a little sleuthing on eBay hoping against hope to find an attractive cover plate for my 08 XK as an alternative to dropping $300 - $750 on purchasing a new (or gently used) transmission shifter assembly. My issues are cosmetic only - as are most of ours based on the topic threads on this forum - so the following email exchange with a current solutions provider for the older X100 style models was encouraging:

My initial message to the vendor (solar_signa):

Good Afternoon:

I have a 2008 Jaguar XK (X150) in need of a different look for the shifter plate. I noted that you have an attractive billet aluminum trim plate for the older models of the XK/XKR (X100) and wondered if you had or knew where I could locate one to fit the newer models. As an example, the updated shifter model is shown on the following link:

Automatic Transmission Gear Shifter & Cable C2P5184 C2P10656LEG Jaguar XK 07-15 | eBay

Thanks!

Kurt

The vendor's immediate follow-up:

Hi Kurt,

We are in fact working on this model. It should be ready some time during summer.

Thank you for your interest in the product
Malcolm


My follow-up exchange with him (and permission to post on this forum):

Malcolm-

That is excellent news. I m down for one for sure, and I'd be happy to introduce you to the members of the Jaguar Forum (if you re not already on there). I'm certain there will be interest in your product within that community. Thanks again for your timely reply.

Kurt

*******

Thank you very much, that would certainly be appreciated

Malcolm


They currently produce the following "Billet Aluminum Trim Plate" for the X100 models, so my hope is that they'll have something attractive for our X150 models this summer. Fingers crossed, lads (and lassies).

Jaguar XJ8 XK8 XKR 5 SPEED Billet Aluminum Trim Plate | eBay

 

I don't have the 'peeling' issue but its good to know there may be a solution.

 

Is that 2 rivets holding it on. Hopefully it can be attached without rivets or screws. Maybe foam tape.

 

It looks like hex-drive button-head screws. But, I do agree that no screws would look much better.

 

Mine started to peel a while ago, and I put some clear epoxy over that spot. I know it's there, but it's hard to see. I'd like to keep the same look and just replace the chrome plated J gate, without replacing the black surround. Hopefully, some aftermarket source will come up with a polished stainless steel replacement that will never peel.




P.S. See: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-shift-72891/

 

I think I would remove the shifter gate, peel/sand the gate and get it professionally wrapped. (There is chrome wrap)

 

Chrome wrap probably isn't sufficiently durable. A polished stainless steel replacement would be ideal.

 

Black anodized aluminum would be my suggestion, polished metal in that position is going to be hell in hot/sunny countries.

 

Thats what I would have thought 3 1/2 years ago. I have had wrap on my car for at least that length of time and its still like new. I would have no issue with wrapping interior trim if any were to get scratched. The wrap material used nowadays is super strong and resilient.

 

I just noticed that Mina has replacement bezels for the gear shift are for $105. See the url: Jaguar Performance Parts and Accessories

 

Ralph,

I saw the bezel for the X100 but couldn't find any for the X150.

Stuart

 

Stuart - You are correct. I just recognized the bezel from my earlier days with the XJ series and didn't bother to read the caption. sorry about that. On the other hand maybe Chris could be convinced to make a replacement bezel for the X150 (07-09).