Drain a bit of vinegar out of pickle for best results. I would tilt the
Vanagon sideways by driving to a slanted area and pour a bit out that way,
or jack it up on the drivers side.

Vw changed the fill amount a number of years into production, without making
any other changes to the transmission. They said that filling the
transmission until the fill level reached about 1 inch below the fill plug
gave better shifting without harming the transmission. This is in the Bentley.

I bet Pickel is a 83.5