My '85 had this problem, and it was only a matter of adjusting the
linkage.  i didn't do the adjustment myself, and it took the mechanic a
little while.  Adjusting from above didn't solve the problem, so he had to
put it on the lift and adjust from below.

David

On Fri, 6 Oct 2000, Chuck Wooten wrote:

>      I too have trouble getting into first gear in my 81 vanagon?????
> I would also like to thank Ken at vanagain for my stickers  and thewestyman
> for my bentley  they both were very fast and honest in our dealing
>
>
>
>
>                  chuck
>                     81 vanagon  (jack)
>