by the 'Maniac » 06 Tue May, 2008 10:45 am
Hey Cory... as others have posted, the newer straight shifter will work with all years of shift rods, but the older tapered & taller shifter has a pin that requires a matching shift rod with a slot in the shifter socket. The pin keeps the shifter from turning in its socket, since it is curved.
You can modify a newer shift rod & put a slot in it, to use with the older style shifter.
Since I re-built Xena 8 years ago, I've used an EMPI "short buggy style" shifter with the "T" handle & a reverse lockout button. It has always worked fairly well, but about a year ago the reverse lockout button wouldn't release the little pin & it would want to go into reverse, shifting from 1st to 2nd.
When I recently installed my new transaxle, I pulled the shifter to inspect it & the "lockout plate" was massively worn. I removed it & am very careful shifting now.
I think I'm going to go with a late model straight shifter with a "Quick Shift" as I did in previous VWs I've owned.
**NOTE** Most of the Quick Shift" kits made now are made of plastic, which do not last or work as well IMO.
I bought a couple of Quick Shifts recently & the parts guy found some of the metal ones in stock. I'm going to install one in our 71 VW Bus too.
Have FUN FUN FUN... the 'Maniac