Differences between syncro and 2wd shift lever?

Williamtaylor33

Does anybody know the differences between the syncro and 2wd shift levers? If any?
Ive received conflicting reports on this subject.
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89 Bostig powered syncro westy

bosruten · Samba Member Joined: February 11, 2011 Posts: 550

I removed one this past summer off a 84 2wd. I only needed the wing from the long forward rod underneath but...I was curious. The diameter of the shifter rod appeared the same.
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'87 Syncro Weekender

Alaric.H · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject:

The part number seems to be the same except they end with different letters.

fairweather · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:25 pm Post subject:

Shift lever with the knob on it I don't know but I have used a 2wd shift rod in my syncro and it got the job done but you have to alter the bends to get around the front diff area. It worked but I was not able to get it "just right" so I cut off the tabs and welded them to the syncro rod and it is easier to get adjusted.

Other than the bends they are the same, the ones I was swapping were 86 and 87.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Crazy stuff--

I am taking a look at the part numbers for an 88 2WD Vanagon--
251-711-121-A.
Looking up the 88 Syncro shift lever, the number is different--then updates in the price book to; 251-711-121-A.

Whats the difference?
I don't know.
It's sure is kinda odd that the 4 speed shift lever part number's for both Vans are the same, but are different .
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T.K.

BillM · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:02 pm Post subject:

The shift lever the part the plastic knob you move with your hand are the same. The front shift rod that has the two ears that the plastic tabs like to wear off are different. You can't use the 2wd one on the syncro. You might be able to use the syncro one one the 2wd though. Have never tried it though I do have a NOS one in my garage.
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Bill M
87 Westy

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Correct Bill---

Here's some new nominclature;

The interior 4 speed manual gear selection lever's are all the same--2WD & Syncro.

The connecting exterior shift shafts are different.
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T.K.

bosruten · Samba Member Joined: February 11, 2011 Posts: 550

Williamtaylor33 · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:29 pm Post subject:

Good to know.
That's a handy piece of info for a syncro driver that breaks a shift lever. As they have a tendency to snap off right at the floor where the set screw was drilled.
Just for clarification I'm Talking about the shift lever. The part you work with your hand. I knew that the other shift components had to be different from 2wd.

A certain "syncro specialist" says the shift levers are different from syncro to 2wd.
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89 Bostig powered syncro westy

crazyvwvanman · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

Not true. The early 2wd 4 speeds have a different lever, knob, and some other bits at the floor pivot.

Mark

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Yep--pre 85 can / will be different.
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T.K.

syncrodoka · Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 6:43 pm Post subject:

I'll show you mine if you show me yours-

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cvbill · Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:23 am Post subject:

Bill M,
I got a really good 2wd shift fork (with perfect plastic tips) at the junk yard, $13, And I have been using it in my Syncro for about 3 years now with no modifications at all. Yes, they have different bends in them, but the 2wd fit over the front differential, no problem.
Bill Langan

Landsailer · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 9:03 am Post subject:

I have a 4spd, 1984 shift fork with perfect plastic tips and I have an 88 syncro 5spd with no tips. According to cvbill, a 2wd can go into 4wd. But does anyone know if there is a difference between the 4 and 5 speed ears and tips? If so, and I can't use it, anybody need one?

MarkWard · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:03 pm Post subject:

Somewhat related, I was using a shift box from an 88 4 speed vanagon for a while. The box had stamped into it, the lock out for both reverse and granny even though it was a 4 speed.
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Landsailer · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 12:12 pm Post subject:

Well, I guess I will try it out then. If you used the box, then the dimensions on the fork should be the same right? I will post results when/if I go through with it.

mathieux46 · Samba Member Joined: October 21, 2006 Posts: 259

Hi,

I have completed a 2wd to syncro conversion and used the shifter box and forward rod of the 87 2wd ( didn't have the syncro part ). Shifting is nice and smooth on the newly concerted syncro. No lock out for granny but seem to work fine.

Mat

Landsailer · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject:

Boss. Thanks. Psych level is up now. Will try for sure.

silverbulletuk · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 6:22 am Post subject:

Just to add a little to the discussion, later shift box on the left, earlier ('86) on the right, both syncro. Note the different R/G pressing, the very early syncro had a 2wd one and was original:

I don't know why the early syncro would have had a different shift lever. The '86 has a 14mm which is the later spec.
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1986 syncro twin-slider rhd, 3.2S Oettinger wbx6
1990 SA Microbus - Supercharged wbx going in with UN-1 trans.
www.025motorsport.com

MarkWard · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:51 am Post subject:

Exactly what I had noticed. Having the granny lockout does not seem to have any affect on how the 4 speed shifts. I guess in production it was easier to have on box that was interchangeable. Thanks for posting the comparison. mark
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Differences between syncro and 2wd shift lever?
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