Old SCAT VW Shifter Review

[@andyyarnell7579]

I love my old school SCAT shifter in my '73 bug. I bought mine new back in the late 1990's. Still works perfectly!

[@bomberobus]

Wish I’d found one sooner, but better late than never. Glad to hear that yours has lasted that long!

[@garyjones2582]

I had a 68 bug that I purchased from my neighbor.. it had a stock shifter with all the issues that come with them .. I ordered a Scat shifter out of Hot VW magazine and my mechanic replaced my old bushings along with installing the new SCAT shifter.. I was like you, WOW what a difference.. It was like a new driving experience every time I got in it.. I love those shifters.. Well made...

[@bomberobus]

That’s cool! So you got pleasantly surprised as I did! Total performance enhancer that I wasn’t expecting. It still rips through the gears when I want to but is tame enough for everyday driving. Appreciate you checking out the vid, Cheers.

[@FLATearthGARY]

Yes, that’s the Scat drag shifter. I still have it but a couple years ago I installed the BUS Scat drag shifter version in my ‘74 RatRod beetle and love it! Nothings cooler than having a tall shifter in a tiny car! Now, in case you’re wondering, I did have to put several washers under the shifter itself where the 2 bolts to raise it a smidge because the ball is a little lower(longer) than the standard beetle size. In case you’re wondering if it can be done, yes it can😎

[@bomberobus]

Thanks for the tips! I got this shifter sort of on accidental good luck. If I buy one I WANT THE TALL ONE so I’m glad to know it can be done. I agree that tall shift gives a lot of style points…just something cool about it🤷🏻‍♂️ especially I’m a Rat! Thanks again and dub daily.

[@oscar_dubs]

hell yeah. The shifter looks great and shifting gear is probably super easy now.

[@bomberobus]

Appreciate it Oscar_dubs. I’ve painted the base and shined the chrome since then. Got a little more used to the short throw too.

[@spuddoright1970]

Those are great shifters... i've had them on all my VWs and recently put one in my '63 project. Yours is the "straight" shaft for the later cars, but you can get and "angled" one for early cars. That puts the handle further back toward the driver so you don't have to reach as far. They can be finicky to adjust, especially if you have a worn out bushing or coupler, but once dialed in they are hard to beat.

[@bomberobus]

I didn’t know that about the angled vs. straight shaft. I got lucky finding this one in an old pile of parts but will keep an eye out! It hasn’t been finicky yet, but I had recently replaced both the bushing and coupler. Thanks for the info and the view. 🤙🏼

[@vwsandvettes3253]

Bug is lookin' good! It has just the right stance IMO.

[@bomberobus]

Thanks buddy. I wanted the rear a smidge lower at first but I like the rake now.

[@TheShopWorldWide]

That’s awesome!! I’m happy to see you like it!

[@bomberobus]

It’s awesome!

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

I've just gotta say, I'm really loving your VW content! It's making me get the itch to put back together the remainder of my extra parts "sweep the floor" engine with my son to put on one of our rails. I like the scat shifter as well!...I will probably do a video in the near future of me repairing the reverse pin on one of mine. Great job!

[@bomberobus]

I appreciate ya. I hope y’all put something together and have a blast! My reverse pin needs a fixin so that’d be cool if you made that vid. Dub daily and drive ‘em.

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

Pretty sweet Mike. That shifter is old school. Apparently from the comments it came out in the 80s. Maybe some steel wool will get that rust off and a nice polish will have it shining. For the base I think they had a leather wrap to cover the mechanism. That spring was a little janky, I'm sure you can find a better one around somewhere. That soccer ball from Sweden might need a new stand. jaaa

[@bomberobus]

“Janky” for sure! 😂 I like the sound of that leather wrap. I’ll look for that!

[@SanDiego_VDubLife]

@@bomberobus gonna have to make your own unless they sell replacements. They might have them for newer ones but it will still fit. Not real leather though just pleather😆

[@vwsandvettes3253]

I can definitely tell the difference between the stock vs the hi-perf shifter. Nice score!

[@bomberobus]

Took it out and got more used to it today. it’s like a push button

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Wow! That’s good info. Enjoyed the tools sliding around the floor while you drove..lol😂

[@bomberobus]

Now that made me laugh! Thanks

[@sevenoaksbrewing]

When I got my 66 it came with a quick shifter spacer. I love it. Shifting is so much tighter than either of my long shifting transporters.

[@bomberobus]

Yeah it really is noticeable switching between the two, but the Busses have their own charm. Sounds like you’re missing out the VW fun!

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

That scat is rooster approved And your car sounds sweet. I love the short throw on it great work👍🇩🇪

[@bomberobus]

Thanks Eduardo. I always forget about the rooster 🐓 😁

[@eduardorodriguez3262]

@@bomberobus I love the crow of the rooster.... Takes me back

[@bomberobus]

Someone has to keep our chickens in their place and he loves doing that

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Nice to see you post a video. I was starting to worry, someone pissed you off. I have an old Hurst shifter in my bug. In a few weeks you will be a pro shifting it.

[@bomberobus]

Thanks Vipergreen. Nah, one kid is graduating and another prepping for military so I’ve just been busy with that. Also prices are jacked up right now! But yeah that short throw takes some real getting used to.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@bomberobus Glad to hear you're doing well.

[@elchimpo9590]

Oh yeah !!! The universe has blessed you 😅😅

[@OTTO-1303]

Time to make it look as good as it shifts

[@bomberobus]

Hey Otto, I’m thinking black paint on the base and polish the top a bit

[@elpuerco6059]

Had one in 89 when they first came out. Loved it.

[@bomberobus]

Do you think that one is from the 80’s. It’s got that “patina.” I love it though🤷🏻‍♂️

[@elpuerco6059]

@@bomberobus Probably a newer one. Maybe late 90's. The chrome did not stand up well to the elements but it was only cosmetic in most cases. They were well made.

[@Opalsdad]

I really appreciate this vlog… I’m going through the same issue, but mine is a Baja bug with a bus transmission that shifts perfectly and I’m going to install a bay window bus shifter…🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@bomberobus]

I’d totally like to try that!

[@ChipsAndSparksGarage]

Another one of those, “Never knew about it before, and can’t live without it now” things! Yeah, looks like more precise shifting now. No matter how modified our vw’s are, we still carry enough spares to be original, in the trunk!👍

[@bomberobus]

Yes sir, I’m just hoping there’s no down side trade-off, like prematurely wearing out bushings and couplers.

[@ratsrevengevdubs1606]

Yeah that shifter is sweet! Definitely quicker shifts. Looks like all you had to do is bump the shifter and bam! 💨💨

[@bomberobus]

And don’t have to lean forward out of the seat to get third gear 😂 with my T-Rex arms

[@ratsrevengevdubs1606]

😂

[@plymouths1]

That shifter works well, you must have had the shifter bushing and coupler replaced fairly recently as well .I have a Vintage Speed one in my bus and love it

[@bomberobus]

Yes I recently replaced both bushing and coupler. I’m hoping that the Scat shifter doesn’t wear them out too quickly. I hear that Vintage Speed makes great products, I’d like to check that out in the future.

[@OwhyeeVdub]

Just picked up a quick shifter today at a swap meet. I kept the shift plate from the stock. When my car was on a forward slop I could not go into reverse. I think I'll go remove that plate.

[@bomberobus]

Good ol swap meets, man I miss those. We don’t have them here and the “flea markets” don’t have VW stuff. Yeah if it has some sort of trigger device on yours then you shouldn’t need the lockout plate. Hope it works out 🤙🏼

[@masbeetleboy9169]

The stock shifter, if properly set up, is actually pretty good. I have never had a Scat Fastdrag shifter but i hear that they are really good. Maybe you should try making a boot for it. Good video.

[@bomberobus]

Thanks man. It’s true, with a new bushing and coupler my OG shifter was on point, but my short arms like the Scat. San Diego VW Life commented about a leather boot they make for it, that might look cool.

[@fernandomartinez5812]

Aloha from Iceland brutha

[@bomberobus]

From Iceland? That’s gotta be one cool story there. Aloha

[@SlimWizard69]

Sweet!!

[@bomberobus]

Thanks man

[@campervanbug7658]

That shifter is gonna be hotter than hell if that car sits In the sun

[@bomberobus]

It doesn’t usually, but beach days are coming up sooooooo 🖐 ☀️ 🤚

[@mikem8050]

Wow that did make a big difference 😮 Peace ✌

[@bomberobus]

✌️

[@asmrrelaxationtv8673]

Fantastic Content. Thank You For Sharing. have a great day!👍

[@bomberobus]

Much appreciated. That means a lot and thanks for checking it out.

[@JamesBrown-126]

I have one of those shifters in my dune buggy i just bought. I don't have to pull the trigger to engage reverse and it doesn't want to downshift. Do you have any suggestions for me please

[@bomberobus]

I think I have a video where I changed the shift coupler and bushing that you might want to see. Also it could just be a simple base plate adjustment, which I think is in that vid too. Pretty easy fixes, you just have to start with the easiest possibility and expand if needed from there. Try loosening the nuts that’s hold the shifter base down (slightly), then make sure you can shift from 3rd down to second. When you find that sweet spot, tighten the nuts back up. Hope it works because you’re gonna love that shifter if it does.