New CNC'd Vanagon Shifter

[Retsgard]

[Luckyphil]

[MaiTai]

Is this still available for purchase?

[designer]

i called the dude that makes them last month to see if the bad press i read on here was valid and he was shipping and his answer was yes...

i just welded my broken shifter and didn't buy the cnc'd one..
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87 Syncro Westy : 2.5l

"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013.

[Birdcage]

It's a great shifter hands down, much better than stock. I can't wait till the entire shift linkage front to back is available from RS-fab.
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@syncrostyle
@optoverland

[casey79westfalia]

Any eta on the complete shift rod front to back? I'm down for one.
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66 Westfalia
87 Westfalia Syncro "Phoenix"
88 Double Cab
76 Porsche 914
2014 Audi Q7
2010 Tdi Sportwagen

Currently looking for 62 Double Cab, 66 Westfalia Parts!
(Rear seat and pedestal, bumpers, mirrors)

http://www.baycountrymotors.com

My 87 Syncro Westfalia 1.8t Restoration

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=418933

"Do it the right way, or you'll pay for it"

[Honuak]

this might be the single best upgrade yet. My original shifter may have been worse than some but WOW! Changes the whole feel of the van.
Thank You RS FAB!

[jamin307]

[shepherdsond]

Put My "BIg Shot" in last month. Installation is a breeze with the help of this video:

https://www.facebook.com/jeffrobenolt/videos/943309759081686/

I was afraid I would have to spend hours adjusting the shift rods but it went in easily and worked first time.
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87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517

[svswan]

Read this thread and a few others, plus watched all the video's referenced. What I would like to know is *why* is the shifter better? I can see that it's beefier and has a better pivot. How does it make the shifts better? Does the square metal piece above the linkage attachment work better on the guides in the shift box? What makes it appear to 'snick' into gear compared to the stock shifter?

I have lubed up all the bushings in my linkage and bought the new guides but have not installed them yet. 1st and 2nd are a little finicky until that van is good and warm. I put Stalube 85/90 GL4 in the trans a few months back.

Before I take it apart to put in the shift guides I would love to understand what makes the Big Shot shift better so I can feel better about upgrading before I bother with the repair ;-}
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Hula - '91 Carat with '03 Subaru JDM WRX 2.0T
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7682086#7682086

[shepherdsond]

I replaced my shifter (also the shifter ears and plate ' - thanks T3) because the shifter ball joint was broken so it seemed like a good time to upgrade.

Shifting is definitely better, less travel to get in gear, tighter, and the shifter itself is stiffer. Not so much stiring the pot to get in gear now.

Having said that it will not instantly correct all your shifting woes. I would not realy say that it "snicks" into gear. You still need a well adjusted and lubed system in good repair. I find that lubing the rear ball makes a huge difference, unfortunately it only stays lubed for a few days.

I like the new feel and the big black ball. I thought it was a worthwhile upgrade.
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87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517

[svswan]

[jamin307]

I installed mine a few weeks ago. Being fully CNC machined - you no longer have to worry about the plastic components included in the stock shifter design. I have heard of other samba members (myself included) suffering from a snapped shifter. It's going to take some doing to break this one.

[svswan]

Great - I do like big metal ;-}

I'm mostly figured out that the Big Shot works just like the stock one, just stiffer and no fear of breaking or wearing plastic. My next question;

Is the Big Shot the same height and bend as the stock shifter?

I have not heard back from Ray yet. I'm hoping for the same bend as stock but 2-3" longer. If I remember correctly this thread was started to get feedback on angle and length but the website doesn't indicate what he chose. It does indicate that I missed the $249 price by not making up my mind earlier though...
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Hula - '91 Carat with '03 Subaru JDM WRX 2.0T
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7682086#7682086

[artacoma]

I don't know about the height but the bend is similar and this shifter can be clocked , i.e. you can turn it and lock it down in any position.
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Cheers
Rik
86 Syncro Tintop
2.5 Subie
86 Doka
2.5 Subie

[shepherdsond]

To answer your earlier question svswan no I did not have a short shift kit before doing this. I imagine this achieves a similar outcome but more effectively.

As artacoma says you can adjust the position of the stick - this is the only tricky part of the installation. I believe the height of the balll is higher than stock also - like having an extension of 3" or so. It feels very good, more positive than the original and closer to hand. It does not look like stock though if that's important.
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87 Syncro Hightop Camper
3 knobs + solid shaft
2.2 Phase II Subaru
Hi-Top build thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=534517

[svswan]

[Gruppe B]

Finally installed the Bigshot shifter

Absolutely incredible difference to the stock shifter!
Easy installation and night and day difference. My stock shifter worked fine and nothing was broken but compared to the Bigshot is night and day.

The bigshot's reduced throw and weighted shift is so much smoother. The new grease I added to the shift fork was nice too

Absolutely incredible upgrade and one of the best upgrades I've made!

Thanks RSFab!

[tarandusVDub]

Are they still making these kits? Looks like the RS Fab folks haven't been on the site in over 6 months. I've emailed them. Hope so!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

[Vnyd Dog]