Issues with bus depot shifter extension?

domromer

I ordered a shifter extension for my 81 vanagon from bus depot. The extension won't fit inside the shifter ball. The extension is wider then the stock shifter. I tried drilling it out some but the shifter base is starting to crack. Anyone else have this issue? It's the original stock shifter ball so I'd like not to break it.
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1981 Aircooled Vanagon
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insyncro · Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:10 pm Post subject:

Did you call the Bus Depot and tell them before you "drilled it out"?

Perhaps they sent you the wrong part.

domromer · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 5:04 am Post subject:

I did they said they never heard of it not fitting.
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1981 Aircooled Vanagon
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Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Send it back if it doesn't fit.
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T.K.

61Scout · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:04 am Post subject:

Could you provide some pictures of what you're looking at... I feel there's a miscommunication in terminology here that a few pictures might clarify. You're talking about the handle extension? Or a short shift kit? What "shifter base" is cracking, what exactly are you drilling out?

-Kevin
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1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
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GreenMachineVW · Samba Member Joined: August 08, 2008 Posts: 645

There are two size shifters: 12mm & 14mm.
http://www.t3technique.com/accessories/295.html

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 8:36 am Post subject:

An '81 shifter would be the 12mm version
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
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domromer · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:17 pm Post subject:

Here is a pic . The stock shifter is on the right. On the left you can see the extension has shoulders right below the threads.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Stock shifter on right, extension has shoulders below the threads. by Dom, on Flickr

20150606_161950_HDR by Dom, on Flickr
_________________
1981 Aircooled Vanagon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsrphotography/
http://www.dustybootsphotography.com/

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 2:54 pm Post subject:

Ah, got it. They use the same diameter extension rod for both the early and late vans, which they just thread to each respective size. When you go to thread your knob down on the extension, it runs up against the step before it fully seats. That's an issue on their end. They should take it back and re-think their approach. Or, you could grind down the shoulder so that it no longer impedes the program. My concern is that it won't be properly centered so that the driver can see the all important shift pattern on the knob.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

domromer · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2015 5:28 pm Post subject:

I just sent bus depot the pics. Maybe they can do something. I don't really want to have to ship it back. I guess we shall see. There us a vw junkyard by my house. I'm going to look for a windshield wiper reservoir and they might have something that works.
_________________
1981 Aircooled Vanagon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsrphotography/
http://www.dustybootsphotography.com/

Mark70baja · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 10:53 am Post subject:

I'm getting ready to rebuild the shifter and linkage on our 82 AC. I've seen one of these, can I ask what the extension is for? What's its purpose?
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Try talking yours ideas up, without talking other peoples ideas down. Everyone stays much happier that way.

82 Vanagon with ASI Full Camper Conversion, 2010 Jeep Rubicon

Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 11:08 am Post subject:

It moves the shift knob closer to the driver, so you don't need to lean forward as much for first and third shifts.

I made my own extension by using a Mercedes shift lever

Now I can make all shifts without moving my elbow from the armrest. Very comfortable
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 12:26 pm Post subject:

I have a Berg shifter in my bus and like it.

Anyone use these in a Vanagon?

http://www.geneberg.com/cat.php?cPath=486_2978

Mark70baja · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 1:17 pm Post subject:

Interesting. Gotta give it consideration while shifter rebuilding. That's next on the long list.
_________________
Try talking yours ideas up, without talking other peoples ideas down. Everyone stays much happier that way.

82 Vanagon with ASI Full Camper Conversion, 2010 Jeep Rubicon

DAIZEE · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 6:58 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem when I bought the gear shift extension for Scooby. Finally ground the bottom of the shift knob down and it fit on the extension. Original knob. One of the best improvements I made for much easier shifting.
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

domromer · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:05 pm Post subject:

How far up the shift knob did you grind? I original tried drilling it out then I realized the channel up the shift knob was the same thickness the same way though and did't open up towards the top like I thought it did.
_________________
1981 Aircooled Vanagon
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dsrphotography/
http://www.dustybootsphotography.com/

DAIZEE · Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2015 10:34 pm Post subject:

I don't remember how far I went as I would grind and try fit, grind some more etc... I do remember that at the time I was nervous about doing it but it seemed to be working. I'll guess about 1/2". It was the perfect solution.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)

kalispell365 · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 9:40 am Post subject:

RETURN it and buy from a reputable company.
_________________
1983 Diesel Vanagon Westfalia chassis with Subaru 2.2l

yiucycle · Samba Member Joined: August 22, 2007 Posts: 421

I also got a shifter extension that have the same problem. Either the thread is not long enough or where the thread ends, its too wide for the shifter knob to catch it. maybe i will follow on of the advice here, either ground down the shifter knob or ground down the side on the shifter extension. I got the shifter extension free from someone and he said he order it from busdepot too. maybe they make a bad batch and didnt know.
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1980 2.8LV6 Fiero ASI/Riviera Vanagon
"there is no point in being embarrassed of all the stupid shit i done and will continue to do"

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DAIZEE · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:11 am Post subject:

there was nothing wrong with my shift extension which I got from Bus Depot, the problem went away when I ground down my knob. It was grind and check, grind a bit more and check, etc... Had it on Scooby for 3 years and no problem. There are many different knobs and I think that the ones with a longer shaft from the bottom up may be the problem. I solved my problem.
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)


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