VW Transmission Shifter Upgrade

[@ovalwingnut]

GR8T. I got off my shift early, came straight home and got to watching this video. Work can be such a grind but life is still good. And converting your bug to a Chinese VW piece by piece: Priceless. Cheers.

[@TheEZGZ]

Welcome to the EZGZ world of Volkswagens.!!! Live Long and Prosper.

[@henryanderson7606]

Thank you my friend for the great vids and advise....just purchased my first beetle and I have already learned a lot from you!

[@TheEZGZ]

Glad to help

[@mikehammer4546]

Thanks Greg, I have to change my coupler in the tunnel in the Baja and wasn't sure the shifting rod would come out enough. Your video answered my questions I need to give it a try see because I didn't want to have to cut a hole in the fiberglass.

[@TheEZGZ]

It's a PITA but worth doing

[@charlesmartin7347]

I'm binge watching your videos EZGZ

[@TheEZGZ]

Just tell them what they want to know and get out of that prison cell.. LOL

[@ovalwingnut]

Yes! Timeless comes to mind

[@stevenpalermo7549]

I'm going to be doing all this stuff soon, just got the parts today. I don't know if it's going to fix my problems or not but it needs to be done anyway lol That extra plate you had that didn't have the tab on the driver's side was an older version. I came across someone saying that while I was researching. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@TheEZGZ]

Thanks. I hope your problem is solved and have a great holiday.

[@busman5429]

Nice improvement the old cage looked like the best choice.

[@TheEZGZ]

+Dan “Busman54” Love I was just to tired to fight with it. So many of the afterr market parts need to be massaged a little to make them work and then I always carry the old one "Just in case" hehehe

[@johngassmann9581]

Thanks for the vid. I just ordered a quick shift and bushings to upgrade my bug.

[@TheEZGZ]

+John Gassmann Kool, let me know when you get it installed if you like it.

[@vw64manyrd]

never knew about those short throw kits kits... Thanks for showing!

[@TheEZGZ]

+vw64manyrd It works just as good if not better than some of those full sized POS with the lock outs and all that. Works on the bus as well. Try to find an older used one that has more metal to it. This one felt like cheese but it still works ok. might not last as long. Throw the old short bolts in the glove box just in case it explodes in the middle of know where so you can take it out. better have that 13mm to. heheheh

[@MRT_H]

Pull the split ring apart with pliers, to where the ends touch, it'll lock open, get all the stuff in and use 2 small flat blades, push one side of the ring one way, the other opposite, the ring snaps tension and you're done! works great!

[@grahamben7578]

Instablaster.

[@randall1959]

It made a world of difference on my trike.

[@RodderFiles]

very nice had one on all mine until i added empi shifters, they came shot throw ez bolt on, good vid

[@TheEZGZ]

+Rodder Files I have a box of old shifters. Most work ok

[@FelipeCobu]

EZGZ thanks for the ride!

[@TheEZGZ]

I haven't had to adjust it or do anything to date :-) Hope I didn't just jinx myself. hehehe

[@Mercmad]

WhenvI had my fastback around 1980 i read about the short throw shifter and considered buying ne but never did. When i picked up my fastback project last year i was pleasantly surprised to find it already had one installed. The car has been parked since 1997 so i can assume it's one of the older kits. I will up grade the flex joint with those urethane blocks too i think .

[@TheEZGZ]

Hope you get lot's of smiles to the miles with your new car

[@671mach]

Finished this project yesterday, Wow, what a bear! Thought I was going to have to cut a hole in the front of the baja for access to the shift rod, but was able to get it far enough forward to get at that front Bushing. Bushing was completely gone, rear coupler was aftermarket and had fallen apart. I did install one of those wis-bang EV4U brass bushings. Was tricky getting it in, but is supposedly a lifetime repair???? will have to see. Aside from an Empi shifter installed by the PO, the car seems to shift much better now. At least it isn't trying to go into reverse when you go for second.

[@TheEZGZ]

Hope you get lot's of miles and smiles with the shifter working good again. Nice Job!

[@JosephDR]

I just installed the short throw kit in my '64. Thanks for the lesson, EZGZ.

[@TheEZGZ]

I hope you get as many smiles to the miles as I do.

[@allenbrian72]

Great video. One question will the shift kit work on the scat shifter and what’s the deal with the part you slide down the shaft it don’t seam to have a real function. Thanks.

[@TheEZGZ]

Scat made many different shifters. What do you have? If you watched the entire video you will notice it changes the pivot point which changes the travel ratio.

[@allenbrian72]

How do I put a picture of it on here lol it’s has the “t” shape handle n the lever in front of it to pull up n go in reverse

[@vdubjunkie]

I would go as far as to say that you should only ever replace the coupler housing if yours is obviously damaged. Like you said, there's no question the German part is quality. It has stood the test of time!

[@TheEZGZ]

Nothing like New Old Stock...

[@vdubjunkie]

@@TheEZGZ no kidding. I’d like to go shopping at the parts house that exists in your garage! 😝

[@6spd85notch]

Hey great video. I’ve been working on my mothers 74 sunbug non-superbeetle and it’s coming out really good. The sunroof was leaking so I did the weatherstripping and redid the floors which led me to a nice empi short throw shifter, coupler and the bushing that seems like a pain. I removed the inspection plate but didn’t get a chance to remove the 2 front plates yet. Started raining yesterday. I’m a little confused as to what the bushing snaps onto. The shaft ? Or inside the tunnel ? It seems like every time I work on her Bug one thing leads to 5 others. I like the Sun tach in your bug.

[@TheEZGZ]

The bushing goes into a plate inside the tunnel. The whole job is a dirty PITA but is very worthwhile doing and will be enjoyed for years to come.

[@meademorgan6614]

EMPI’s famous quality control.

[@TheEZGZ]

Ships Today! hehehe

[@cubey]

What's the advantage really? I recently got a 64 baja and have had to fix the brakes and related things (right front spindle is trashed). Feeling the shifter, it seems like the long throw would be better to learn on since you know when it's been shifted. I already replaced the nylon bushing. The baja kit wasn't in the way on mine to pull the rod, but a front skid plate had to come off first.

[@TheEZGZ]

The advantage is not reaching into your glove box for 3rd gear. hehehe

[@jaybarber68]

Hi, thanks for the video. I bought a 67 bug last fall, and have been getting it sorted. It will probably never get another paint job or carpet (it’s white, and shows it’s as dirty as yours) because I use it for a daily driver. I ordered a aluminum spacer for a shorter throw, and now I can install it, since you showed us how! I also got new standoffs, they hold the top off the decklid away from the body, so air can flow through. What do you think about that mod?

[@TheEZGZ]

I hope you enjoy the shifter as much as I do. Looks stock but shifts as close as the fancy stuff that can be troublesome. I love the stand offs........ except when I want to check my oil. Carried a stick to prop up the decklid. PITA They do make a spring extender for the center now. I have one but I'm running center mount carb in Valorie my 66. Seemed like I got a lot of junk on my engine from the weather with the stand offs sitting out in the lot all day. Now I just cut a tennis ball and stick it over the latch on the bottom instead of stand offs on the top. I hope you get lots of smiles and smiles with your 67. I think 67 was one of the best years ever.

[@jaybarber68]

Oh yeah, I never thought of all the crap that gets on the motor! I just like the race car look. Some of the German racers use a stick to hold their decklid up, maybe I should do that too. I read that the spring breaks the tack welds that hold it on. Ever had that happen? I havent, and I bought pins so you can take the decklid off completely for engine work.

[@AverageAutomation]

What if the buggy is left-hand Drive we still face the long side to the right-Hand side?

[@TheEZGZ]

Take a chance and live on the edge. It's a $6 USA/ Chinese part!!!!!! U cheap SOB hehehehe

[@sethdbourne]

Kinda weird question, but is it possible to have the rear coupler out of line? I recently replaced bushing and coupler and th gear shift seems like it can't move to the 3 / 4 side without really pushing hard. Not sure if it makes a difference, but the previous owner must have had a problem and reemed out the hole in the hockey stick

[@TheEZGZ]

The front of the transmission that holds the hockey stick is called the nose cone. It has a brass bushing style bearing where the shaft comes out and there also supposed to be an oil seal. It is not uncommon to find these loose and leaking but still working. Sounds like yours is done. You will have to shop around to find a replacement. If it's a stock sedan you will have to remove the engine completely and then remove the transmission completely. The front transmission mount is part of this nose cone. They come in 2 hole and 3 hole depending on year. Get the number off the tranny it might be helpful. This is also a good time to do a overall cleanup, oil change, replace all 3 tranny mounts and check mainshaft seal along with throwout bearing and clutch. Yeah, it's an awful lot of labor to do it right but ounce it's done it will last a lot of years as well as increase the value of your car and make it more fun to drive. As temporary test you might cut up a pop can and see if you can wind a strip around the hockey stick shaft to center things back up. If this works you will know your on the right track but don't think for a second that it will last long at all and if peace's of it get loose and go back in tranny you will be sorry. Use your imagination and be creative. You can also buy a replacement bushing but you need a special driver to install it and you hockey stick needs to come out. There is no easy quick cheap fix that care to try and I've tried a lot of things. Plastic, aluminum, brass shim stock, rubber blah blah blah, Stock works best. You could rush threw it in one day but it seem's I always find other things that need to be worked while the engine tranny are out. It's a money pit and time eater for sure.

[@sethdbourne]

@@TheEZGZ sorry about my description, the actual hockey stick has the hole widened... looks like someone tried to replace the grub screw with something larger when they replaced the coupler. I'm hoping I can maybe loosen it slightly adjust it to the left and re tighten 🤞

[@ronkemp9528]

Thanks bud this was great.

[@TheEZGZ]

Glad I could help. This is my most driven car and I haven't had to change or adjust anything so far. Good Luck with your projects

[@johnkovach1033]

thanks EZ i have a real hurst trigger shifter love it if i ever sell the car i"ll keep the shifter

[@TheEZGZ]

Your a lucky fellow. Hope you get lot's of smiles to the miles

[@gmd1417]

Thanks for posting the video, but I wish you had shown how you replaced the plastic bushing,,,

[@TheEZGZ]

Sorry, I tried to explain and show it the best I could. It's very basic but hard to get at threw the shifter hole much less having a light and camera in the way. You can do it I'm sure. You will be glad you did

[@jonathanmoreno9247]

I got to add the nylon bushing to make it work right in My mexican 1990 bug

[@TheEZGZ]

Do it now

[@toddmininger3932]

I've been thinking about putting one on my '67. I had a '67 in college but had a scat short shifter on it. I want to keep the stock shifter on my current '67, but the long throw drives me nuts!

[@TheEZGZ]

Been driving it every day last 6 months and it's still work fine. Might add some fresh grease and have a look inside. Nice not having to reach for 3rd.

[@toddmin]

I thought I had short arms and was the only one with problems reaching for third!

[@EastCoastBaja]

My shifter is super sloppy. Lots of play even in gear. Not sure what to do about it but I'll start with that coupler and round piece

[@TheEZGZ]

If that doesn't take care of it check the shift shaft coming out of the tranny. The bushing wears out and start leaking a lot of oil. It is not difficult to change but you will have to take out the engine and transmission to get to it. www.cbperformance.com/product-p/4536.htm

[@cutworm59]

Thanks very much for teaching me! Woo Hoo!

[@TheEZGZ]

+cutworm59 Your welcome

[@HBOIchip]

That red urethane didn't hold up for me in Florida, my replacement shift coupler just disintegrated after a couple years.

[@TheEZGZ]

Thanks, thats good to know. I will keep an eye on mine although I'm sure it was pretty obvious went yours fell apart

[@jonlaws4493]

I always use the old cage and replace the rubbers. The replacement cages are not as good and don't fit right.

[@TheEZGZ]

+Jon Laws The new coupler was fine it just needed a little filing and fitting and I was to tired in the dark to mess with it. Ether one will work. Thanks for your contribution Jon,

[@RickJones222]

Thanks EZGZ!

[@TheEZGZ]

+Rick Jones your welcome

[@ronniethode8036]

Hey does it work on a bus 🙂🙂🙂

[@TheEZGZ]

I had one on mine :-)

[@josephheston9238]

Will that Quick Shift kit work with the AutoStick shifter?

[@TheEZGZ]

+Joseph Heston I have no idea, For $15 you should pick one up and give it a try. Then make a vid and let us know.

[@trinifirst6702]

I need a solution for the Vanagon

[@K4lr0b]

Anyone knows which is the correct thread for the shift knob?

[@TheEZGZ]

I took my shifter to the hardware store and couldn't find anything. The shifter and seat belt bolts are not normal metric thread?????? Try to find a knob with a slip fit and set screw threw the side. Thanks for stopping by

[@K4lr0b]

@@TheEZGZ guess thats the way to go. Thanks!

[@redbxstr]

K4lr0b I bought a new Shift kit from JBugs and the thread on the shift lever is 12mm.

[@duggy788]

and thanks for shown.

[@TheEZGZ]

+duggy788 Thanks for checking in

[@dennism103]

thx i have one still in the package yet to be installed.

[@TheEZGZ]

Since I made this video I drove from Denver to Portland Or and then from Denver to Detroit Michigan and that totals over 8k miles with no further maint or adjustment. Do it right and enjoy the new shorter 3rd gear reach. Thanks for watching and posting

[@dancahill9122]

Once you have the short-throw kit installed you'll kick yourself for not doing it much sooner ! ! Guaronteed ! ! 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Vwbugthingz74]

20:00😂🤦🏾‍♂️