Replacing shifter boot
 

I have an 03 ranger with manual transmission. The shifter boot has a tear in it and I am trying to replace it. My question is how does the shifter knob come off? I don't want to damage anything else while trying to change the boot. I assume there is a nut or something underneath it because trying to twist it off did nothing. Any ideas?

i believe their just spun on there...

They are pressed on there. They have straight splines like axle splines.

So It's just going to pull off if I work on it long enough? Any suggestions on how to tackle it? Or just brute force and manly grunting?

Heat!