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16CVs Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004 Posts: 4020 Location: Redwood City, California
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Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:14 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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I just finished installing one of these in a customers 5 speed Double Cab. There was a set back because someone had installed a 4 speed shift set up at some point. Luckily the customer had the 5 speed in his spares pile. So that meant that I had to split the rods and loose the alignment.
Along with the new shifter I replaced all of the shift components wears items as well as the rubber boots. I found the plastic Universal joint to be almost completely seized. I pulled it apart and lubed it.
Once installed I had to grind the Reverse lockout plate just little bit. They tell you 2mm and that makes all the difference.
This truck has a front bench seat and a raised floor heater duct, so that added a little time pulling that and working around it. I have not tried to fit the Shift boot yet, but that should be easy to over come.
The customer came by and we took it out for a drive and was impressed that he was not rowing a boat trying to get gears. Because it had a 4 speed shifting box you had to push down to get 1st. Now you just go over and and drop it in into place.
Instructions are adequate, it would be nice if there were a video of one going in for us more visual learners. If I hadn't already bough tone of Chris's solid shifters and done a complete linkage rebuild I'd be seriously thinking of one of these my camper. _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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Gpeck96 Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2011 Posts: 37 Location: Santa Cruz
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T3messie Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2017 Posts: 208 Location: Germany
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:45 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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That is a lot of money (and weight ) to keep the lever in central position while your in neutral. |
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WestyWonderland Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2012 Posts: 51
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2021 3:54 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Okay -- I have one on backorder and supposedly a batch just cleared Customs.
Big expectations are riding on this piece of kit but the old shifter is nightmare material, even after a 100% rebush on a newly done transmission (Matt in Jersey). The shift lever even snapped on a trip! Thankfully, it wasn't far from a fully stocked hardware store so a tap, a stud, cursing, epoxy and many steel slivers later . . . I made it home.
Enough! Give me modern shifting!
Next Project: retrofitting a 6-speed sequential auto shifter from a Treg. JK! |
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H2o-Bar Samba Member
Joined: July 05, 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:26 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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I installed mine about a year ago. So Stoked about how positive the shifting is now compared to beforehand.
Definitely a Top 3 mod for me.
Now if I could only find time to instal my new T3techique HD Anti-roll bar! |
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WestyWonderland Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2012 Posts: 51
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:01 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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The Syncro has the worst shifting of any manual shifter I've driven. The best was a 61 Bug; a 68 Chevy 10 with a floor mounted Hurst was pretty good - much better than on the tree.
I had a 68 and 77 Bus that weren't bad and when I rebushed the 77 it was a dream to shift. I even had an Audi 5000 with a 5sp that was basically great except for quick shifts to R, which would occasionally jam.
The Syncro is hard. It's vague. It makes me tired and fatigued on a long trip.
Reverse is always a guess and it grinds going into First so often I wonder how long it will survive a brand new rebuild.
And I changed literally every wear item in the entire shift mechanism and spent a long time adjusting it!
I don't honestly know how VW had the nerve to offer that system for sale to the public! |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 2982 Location: MD
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 6:53 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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WestyWonderland wrote: |
The best was a 61 Bug; a 68 Chevy 10 with a floor mounted Hurst was pretty good - much better than on the tree. |
You should drive a car built this millennium. Especially by Mazda, the RX-8 is still the best shifting car I have ever driven. The shifter drops right into the transmission. In fact, you can fill the trans oil by removing the shifter.
Agreed that the Vanagon shifting is objectively bad. I redid all my shifter components, all new bushings, alignment, etc, and it is much much better than it was when I bought it. One thing that helped my Syncro a ton was spacing down the engine mustache bar 2" since it came with a RWD mustache bar. This put a lot of strain on the shifting. So double check you have the right bar. _________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4333 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:27 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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H2o-Bar wrote: |
Now if I could only find time to instal my new T3techique HD Anti-roll bar! |
So, the only thing I can mention on this would be you might need to grind the area on the frame where the ARB's clamp bolts down. The work to replace that bar was very minimal, and would have been around an hour if I didn't have to fiddle with the grinding. I am happy with it. _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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WestyWonderland Samba Member
Joined: July 12, 2012 Posts: 51
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:11 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Is there an obvious tell? I just had mine off to install the RMW/Vanistan SS exhaust system and it seemed "normal" to my eye, reminiscent of the Type 2 bars. I did see a bow in the middle, slight no more than 1/4" or so, but I thought it might have gotten smashed off-road along the way.
4Gears4Tires wrote: |
One thing that helped my Syncro a ton was spacing down the engine mustache bar 2" since it came with a RWD mustache bar. This put a lot of strain on the shifting. So double check you have the right bar. |
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flomulgator Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2013 Posts: 950 Location: Leavenworth, WA
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:23 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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4Gears4Tires wrote: |
You should drive a car built this millennium. Especially by Mazda, the RX-8 is still the best shifting car I have ever driven. The shifter drops right into the transmission. In fact, you can fill the trans oil by removing the shifter.
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I owned an RX-8, and out of all the manuals I've had over the years I've been chasing that particular snick-snick ever since. The 711 shifter will totally get my syncro there, right? _________________ She's built like a steakhouse, but she handles like a bistro! |
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4Gears4Tires Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018 Posts: 2982 Location: MD
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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I bought mine in 07, had it for 7 years. It set the bar for me as well. The 711 shifter actually does make it feel a lot better. Certainly not an RX8 but maybe a poorly shifting 80s BMW.
As soon as my van is running properly (i.e. never) I am going to give installing my 711 shifter another go.
WestyWonderland wrote: |
Is there an obvious tell? I just had mine off to install the RMW/Vanistan SS exhaust system and it seemed "normal" to my eye, reminiscent of the Type 2 bars. I did see a bow in the middle, slight no more than 1/4" or so, but I thought it might have gotten smashed off-road along the way. |
Yes. The triangles on the side are much longer for Syncros. I can't find a picture of a Syncro version. But if the places where the engine support bar bolts to the chassis looks the same as below then maybe post a picture of yours.
RWD
_________________ '87 Syncro
Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17014 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2021 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Looking at the rear of a syncro it’s sort of obvious. You can see about half of the exhaust system, where the exhaust on the 2wd is mostly behind the rear valance. _________________ ☮️ |
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Vantasric Samba Member
Joined: May 01, 2021 Posts: 1 Location: FL
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 3:00 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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This video shows the install and gear movements really well.
Link
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 8:47 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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flomulgator wrote: |
4Gears4Tires wrote: |
You should drive a car built this millennium. Especially by Mazda, the RX-8 is still the best shifting car I have ever driven. The shifter drops right into the transmission. In fact, you can fill the trans oil by removing the shifter.
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I owned an RX-8, and out of all the manuals I've had over the years I've been chasing that particular snick-snick ever since. The 711 shifter will totally get my syncro there, right? |
Ha! In the olden days, pretty much every front engine/rear drive car had the shifter poke directly into the gearbox - and shifting was so positive! MGB, Fiat 124, Alfa, Chevy pickup, Mustang...everything but VW, Renault and Minis. _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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jberger Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2003 Posts: 2476
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Posted: Sat May 01, 2021 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Considering all the vans I’ve driven.. not to mention other manuals from three on the tree to carrera GT’s ... I’ve just never been upset with the stock syncro set-up. It’s not vague or difficult .. it just works. The Syncro transaxle needs to be shifted slowly/lazily and a stock system lends itself to that.
J |
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do.dah Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 427 Location: Washington
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:57 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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To those wanting to have a stock "looking" boot setup (here's to you @syncrodoka and @SODO.), I took a spare boot and cut off the bottom most pleat, then I trimmed off the bottom flange (part that tucks under the carpet) of my original boot to just under the size of the bottom most pleat. Then all you hafta do, is tuck the trimmed boot into the cut off boot, don't even have to glue the 2 pieces together, though I did put a small bead of blk E6000 between the 2 pieces. Looks almost stock, just has 1 extra pleat and enough height to fit under the carpet. |
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DuncanS Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013 Posts: 4580 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 10:40 am Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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do-da--Sounds nice. Could we have a photo plz? |
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jacksonpm Samba Member
Joined: May 04, 2010 Posts: 28 Location: new jersey
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Posted: Sun Jun 27, 2021 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Raising the stock boot about an inch allows it to clear the 025 shifter nicely
I cut my spacer from a piece of 5/4 Boral I had laying around
But any inch thick stock will get it done.
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jbmbenjamin Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2017 Posts: 13 Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2021 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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Recently received the 711 shifter from T3 and it’s nice. Mine was one of the recent ones that had the hardware delayed. I had a Bus Club event in Jerome, AZ to go to and couldn’t wait for the hardware to arrive so I made my own.
This shifter works really, really well and I certainly do recommend it. Going on a trip this week to Big Bend NP in Texas. We will be gone about 10 days and I hope to be able to give a more thorough report of how well it works on a long trip as well as give some details on the installation. Even though the install is pretty straightforward and simple if you just follow the installation instructions.
I’m working on a shift boot riser much like one of those posted above. Won’t have it ready for my trip but hope to get it finished soon after our return.
I’ll include some photos if I can just figure out how to upload them into the photo gallery!
John _________________ 83.5 Westy
2.2 Wbx w/Stage 2 heads by RJE
SS coolant pipes by TK
Silicone hose kit by VanCafe
RMW/Vanistan SS WBX performance exhaust
In Dash AC by Small Car with fresh air |
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DuncanS Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2013 Posts: 4580 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2021 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: 025 Motorsport 711 Shifter Available at T3 technique... |
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I know lots of people like stock. But when you put the shift boot on top of a piece of 1" wood with exposed screws, it's no long stock anyway. I've always thought the boot is ugly and unnecessarily big. I made a replacement out of leather. Easy to do and looks far better and you don't need any extra wood to make up a difference in height. Sew one up out of heavy cloth first to check the fit. Not a big deal at all.
In the photos, look at all that extra space behind the shift lever that isn't needed. Make the boot smaller where it meets the floor. |
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