well, speaking of custom linkage.
I happen to have, absolutely brand new, and custom made, and very high
quailty.......
the 'aft shift rod' ...........the rod that's about 4 and half feet long,
that goes from the aft edge of the gas tank back to the trans.......
that is specifically designed to put the earlier transmission ( 80 to 82
air-cooled Vanagons - the DK )
where there was an 83 and later trans, in a vanagon.
  As mark says there is likley some front trans mount fiddling or adjustment
needed , like the right part ........which I might have.......
but it's doable.

pmail me if interested.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 8:23 AM
Subject: Re: Aircooled vs. WBX manual transmission

> In a message dated 7/30/08 10:34:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
> mdrillock@COX.NET writes:
>
>
>> The linkages are not compatible at the tranny end. If you wish to
>> customize a linkage no doubt it could be done. The nose mounts are
>> different as well so more customizing would be needed there.
>>
>>
>
> not to mention that the aircooled auto trannys dont have the H20 trans
> cooler on them either..
>
>
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