short shifter needed

[jwsnlutz]

79 bay window bus, have heard good feedback from short shifter installations
looking to replace stock shifter, any recommendations from satisfied customers,
would something like this be a wise buy? -->.EMPI Hurst Style Gear Shifter: Baywindow 1968-1979 --> from heritage parts

Thank You

[SGKent]

been driving stick shifts much of my life. Usually when a bay shifter feels sloppy it is not solved with a short shifter. Once all the other issues are sorted out and fixed, the one most people who want one get is the Berg model. http://www.geneberg.com/product_info.php?cPath=17_476&products_id=1194
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[richparker]

Kent is right, you should replace the shift coupler and the rod bushing first.

If you’re still dying for a short shifter after that I’d recommend one from Vintage Speed. They have 3 different models for your year bus. Here’s one of them.

https://store.vintagespeed.com.tw/BLACK-23-RHD-68-...p132902447


I can’t remember the reason, but I was told by my builder that a bay window transaxle will Not like a short shifter for any extended period of time. Unlike a bug transaxle, which has no issues with a short shifter.
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[jwsnlutz]

Thanks for info, I dont have any problem shifting, just that the short shifter makes it much easier, from what I am told, I have seen many bay windows with them, I have heard it cuts down the shifting manuvers by 40% . Hoping to make sure it is better as they say!

[aeromech]

Empi parts are generally thought of as inferior. Berg on the other hand is generally thought of as top notch. I have no experience with vintage speed.

My 1971 bus has a Berg. I’ve installed several Berg shifters and everyone likes them. The directions Berg sends tells you that in order for their shifter to work well, the rest of your linkage needs to be in good order. In other words… it’s not to be used to solve poor shifting issues.

Berg offers several variations of the bus shifter, for instance

T handle
Ball handle
Black
Chrome
Locking base (locks you into reverse)
Inscribed with Berg

The price can start around $300 and climb up to about $600.
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[SGKent]

grab the shifter 2/3 to half way down, the throws will be real short. See if you like it.
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[Xevin]

I run an EMPI short shifter in my bug. I like it. I use stock shifters in the buses.

Read this link and then do what you are comfortable with.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...8d1d6e3130
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[riverart]

I just replaced my stock shifter for my 1971 Deluxe project. I ended up buying a Vintage Speed shifter from a local vendor. I had a VS shifter in my 1967 bug and wasn't too thrilled about it...it felt very metallic and the shift pattern didn't feel very defined. But I also think the shifter bushing was toast in the tunnel.

My new shifter feels solid, and I am happy I went with it. Unfortunately, can't tell you how it drives as my engine is being built. In terms of new VS shifter vs old, night and day difference. The stock one was simply too loose and sloppy. I did change bushing in the front. After I switched to VS, much better, tighter feel.

[mikedjames]

I have driven with an EMPI shifter for the last 13 years because that was what was fitted in my bus by a PO, I think in 2005.

It has broken once and worn out once in that time, needing skill to keep it going - reverse lockout plate fell off, needed welding because spot welds broke, shifter plate (integral with shifter) needed a strip of metal welded on one side because the shifter plate wore about 1/32" each side.

Really, if you have a well setup stock system with a CSP shift coupler and the front shifter bushing in good condition, and a non-worn ball on the hockey stick in the gearbox nosecone, it will be just as good.

The EMPI shifter still hits the handbrake handle when the rear brake drums need adjustment.
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[mikewire]

I have an older Vintage Speed shifter and it's great because it's more solid overall than the stock, and it does decrease throw quite a bit. I wouldn't call it a short shifter, but I suppose by definition, it is one.

Like other have said...to get the most out of the stock shifter and make it NOT shift like a mop in a bucket, I would highly recommend starting with replacing the shift rod bushings and the shift coupler:

Jbugs has a kit, but you can get them from Bus Depot, WW, and others:

https://www.jbugs.com/product/211798200.html

Shift coupler - RHINO from CB performance: https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6110.htm

You'll have to drop the engine to replace the shift rod bushings...so maybe start with the coupler and go from there.
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[SGKent]

These are common problem areas in the shift mechanism that have to be dealt with before changing the shifter.

worn or missing front bushing
broken stop plate
Loose grub screws
worn out / bad coupler
Worn hockey stick
Worn ball inside nosecone
Broken or cracked selector bracket in nosecone
Worn nosecone that lets 4th gear pop out
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