Actually the B&M comes with an aliminium reverse lockout "mechanism". The stock one is the black plastic piece you see. This piece looks to be a replacement for the black plastic piece, not just a cover.
AS for the stock knob, I absolutely hated it until I put it on my B&M! Wen ton abotu 3 months ago and has been there since! If I Hadn't already spent too much $$ on shift knobs, I'd be all over that. Maybe somewhere down the road though!
Good luck on the road Bill! Let us know that you make it to your new destination safely!
