Gearshift Lever - Looking to move it back 1.5 - 3 inches.

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 2 Sep 2006, 10:07 pm

#529540

Hey, since I've got the pan stripped on my '72 I thought I might as well set it up to suit my body.
As I'm a little bit tall (Six feet three inches) I find that the gearshift lever is a little too far forward for my liking when the seat is right back. (Mind you, my legs are still cramped)

I know that Custom Off-Road set up their Buggy Pans with the 3 inch move, and I was wondering if anyone here has attempted the same.

It looks like I may have to shorten the handbrake lever too, but not by much.

Thanks in advance.

-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

malcolm Insano Dub Head

812 posts · joined Nov 2004 · 2 Sep 2006, 10:49 pm

#529554

I can,t see a problem you will need to shorten the shifter tube and you could move the handbrake back as well.

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 2 Sep 2006, 11:23 pm

#529571

That's all I can see too Mal, just a matter of cutting the whole section out and moving it back.
Just thought there might be some little problems someone might've come across before.
-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 3 Sep 2006, 11:03 am

#529692

yeah just move it all back and get some shorter handbrakle cables made

Pay your debts, CxxT

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 3 Sep 2006, 4:24 pm

#529765

😀 Should be easy.
-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Sep 2006, 5:05 pm

#529778

what about the nylon support bush just rearwards of the gearlever??

A fellow in the US told Me He added to the seat rails so the seat could be taken back a few more inches..
as He was tall...
whether he moved the gear lever I can't remember...
maybe He had longer arms..??

A fellow in Muswellbrook has moved His gearlever towards the rear a few inches.. ... and He is tall too..
its an early model Beetle...
and He loves to Modify things... especially beetles..

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 3 Sep 2006, 6:03 pm

#529795

I'd be moving the whole section (Including the support inside the tunnel).
I'll wait until the pan's finished at the sandblasters, then I'll start looking into it seriously.
Thanks all.
-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

last celtic warrior Wolfsburg Wizard

402 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Sep 2006, 6:48 pm

#529826

Mate there is another way...

Have a think about extending the gear lever about 6 inches, and putting a dogleg in it to place the knob further back. Then add a quickshift spacer kit so it still uses a respectably small amount of travel to change cogs. You can make the lever any shape really, either angle it straight back with a little kickup at the end for the knob, or bend it a few inches up from the base.

Actually, there's another way too, but it's almost as much trouble as cutting the tunnel. It involves cutting the gear lever off and welding on an eyelet. You then mount a new lever pivoting on a steering uni bolted to the tunnel, with a box linkage going forward to the original lever. This can work really well if all joints are pretty tight and it can be simply covered with a boot. This way doesn't allow for the Volksie handbrake though. Okay, scratch this thought, only take any notice of the first suggestion. LOL

Hang on a minute, there is yet another solution. Have your legs surgically shortened. This will allow you to fit into any VW, not just yours, and it'll get your head out of the clouds too...

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 3 Sep 2006, 8:09 pm

#529869

And stop the nose bleeds and popping ears when I bend down?
-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 3 Sep 2006, 8:42 pm

#529887

the only problem with bending doglegs into the gear stick is that 12 volt beetles dont have a locating pin on the ball the sits in the notch in the cup to stop them spinning around

but it wouldnt be hard to put one in like 6 volt and semi auto beetles have

-Joel