i havent used a lower boot on any of my mustangs since i got my first one in 1973. i use hurst shifters with a hurst boot on top and no air or water has ever come in. the thing i dont like about the lower boot is the possibility of dirt getting caked in it and draging on the linkage.

 

Water was my main concern. Thanks for the advice, I'll save that $50 for floor work.

 

I found this one....

HURST LOWER SHIFT BOOT FOR 4-SPEED TRANSMISSION 1970 | CJ Pony Parts

Is that the best fit / value for my car? Seems pricey...

(Hurst Super Shifter with lockout on a 67 Toploader in a 65 Coupe.)

No, that won't fit. The hole in the floor of the 69-73 is larger than the 65-68. If you really want to use a boot, and I strongly recommend it, you should use, with slight modification, the 66-68 3-speed boot.

The lower boot keeps dirt, and moisture, out of the shifter (not the car), and also cuts way down on heat and noise coming into the car.

I replaced the missing lower boot on mine years ago, and I was very surprised how much it reduced the noise and heat coming in. The shifter stays clean, and well-lubricated, too.

This is the boot on a 68 BB 4-speed-

 

Thanks 22, I will make a note of the 65-68 3 spd boot. Although my initial inspriations was keeping water out of the car, the reduction and heat and noise seems like a nice bonus.

 

Concerning the screw holes on the lower boots, do they line up with the screws for the upper boot?