Replacing the stock plastic shifter knobs is one of the easiest modifications to make to a vehicle, and your Samurai deserves it. The print and finish on the factory plastic knobs wear out after so many years and miles, which looks out of place in the truck on which you've spent every paycheck. These shifter knobs are the solution for every proud Samurai owner.

Rocky Road offers two different shifter knobs: One has the Suzuki "S" logo carved into the face of it, while the other wears the 2-low transfer case shift pattern, a very nice touch that shows the manufacturer's dedication to the off-road crowd. Those owners who do not have a 2-low transfer case can use the "S" knob on both shifters, since they are interchangeable on the shift levers. Each of them is a highly polished, solid chunk of aluminum that looks and feels much higher in quality than the stock plastic ones.

As expected, installation is straightforward. The stock transfer case knob should unscrew by hand, replaced by the unthreaded new one that drops straight down on the shaft, and secured with a small recessed Allen-head screw. The transmission knob is a bit more difficult to remove because it cannot be unscrewed by hand. If it is forced with a Vice-Grip or a Channel-Lock, the shift lever or transmission is liable to be damaged. The solution I found was to lock a Vice-Grip to the base of the shift lever and brace it against my leg, allowing me to use both hands on a Channel-Lock to break the threads' seal and unscrew the knob. However, this method will most likely leave the tool's teeth marks in the knob, so don't plan on re-using it in a show truck. The new knob is again tightened onto the shift lever with an Allen screw.

One would assume that something as minor as the shifter knobs could not make much of a difference in the interior of a truck, but the very first thing that I-and my passengers-notice whenever entering my Samurai are these shiny new shifter knobs. Compliments abound for their attractiveness, but that does not overshadow how much better the knobs feel in hand. The only negative aspect of these solid aluminum knobs is how cold they get on a chilly morning until the truck warms up and a hand has been placed on them for a minute or two. In chilly climates, the gloves normally worn by convertible-driving die-hards would prevent this from being a problem for the driver.

These new shifter knobs really compliment the rest of the vehicle, putting that finishing touch on the rig that sets it apart from the crowd and makes others jealous. While not a necessity, this is one modification any driver will appreciate every time he or she gets behind the wheel of their Samurai, whether that is on the pavement or off.

--Geoff Beasley