The kit does also reduces the lateral movement, but that's the shortcoming
of the kit. To select between reverse / 1-2 / 3-4 (4 speed) a rotation of
the shaft is needed. By reducing the lateral movement you also reduce the
rotation.

This won't be a problem when your shift linkage is in good shape. But as
soon as it gets sloppy, it might be difficult to adjust. This is probably
the reason why some people don't get it working.

I just finished making my own shift riser plate; now cleaning up things
before (re)installing.

Jaap
'87 Caravelle Diesel

> 1)  The pivot Ball is raised with a spacer block, increasing the
> relative travel of the lower end of the shift lever.  This makes the cup
> on the shift rod travel farther with the same amount of travel of the
> shift knob.
>
> 2)  All angular motion of the shift knob in your hand is reflected
> through the pivot ball - it should all be reduced after installing the
> quick shift kit.
>
> I have the Berg kit - Schweet!
>
> Randy Bergum
> 1990 Carat
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Tom S <tom@SALICOS.COM>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Date: 3/14/2006 3:52:10 PM
>> Subject: Re: Vanagon Short Shift Kit
>>
>> Two questions about this:
>>
>> 1)  What does it actually do to reduce the travel of the shifter?
>>
>> 2)  One listmember posted that the 2-3 shift was not reduced so much.
>> I'd think that's where it would pay off the most.  But I don't know
>> which kit he had used, or if it would matter.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tom Salicos
>> '87 Syncro Westy EG-33