Date:         Wed, 28 May 2003 15:34:19 -0400
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Shifter extension PS....
Comments: To: Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <12e.2af5b530.2c0533f3@aol.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Tue, 27 May 2003, Ben T wrote:

> Your planned use of a shifter extension will work totally the opposite of the
> short shift kit. You will find that the play is even more exaggerated as the
> shiftknob will be traveling a greater distance with each shift.
>
> If your goal is to simply bring the shiftknob closer at hand, then fine. The
> extensions is all you need. However, if your goal is to make shifting quicker
> and also lessen the apparent sloppiness of your shifter, then go short shift.

Thanks for all the info.  I'm going to try the extension first, if I don't
like the results then I'll go for the short shift kit.  It seems like a
good idea, but I'm leery of tearing into the shifter because adjusting it
is such a pain.  One of these days I should go through and replace the
bushings, though, I suppose -- I did that on my '75 bus and I was amazed
how tight and crisp the shift throws were afterwards.  Suddenly 3rd gear
was close at hand instead of over by the passenger door. ;)  On that van
the linkage had gotten so bad I no longer had enough side-to-side travel
to reliably get all four gears -- I could have 1st and 2nd, or 3rd and
4th, but not necessarily all at the same time.


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si