Doing all this will probably make your van shift like new, at the cost of a few hundred dollars, but you dpn't necessarily *need* to do all this.  I had the same problem when I got my '91 GL and was able to get it to shift properly just by adjusting the plate at the base of the shifter, and the splined union in the shift rod under the van, as per Bentley instructions.  

That said, the adjustment is fiddly and tedious (in my experience), but I was able to get mine to engage all the gears properly.  I did eventually end up replacing all the linkage wear items anyway.

Allan

On Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:13 -0600, "John Rodgers" <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
> You need to rework the linkage from front to back. New shims and
> bushings where the stick is mounted, and a new shifter  on the
> transmission plus new accordion hose and bushing for the shifter rod
> bracket. Also, drain your tranny and install Redline MT 90. In fact, try
> that first - MT 90. I went through the same thing you  are when I first
> got my 88 GL. Changing to MT 90 made a huge difference. Eventually,
> though, I had to rework the shifter system, and that took care of all
> the problems.
> 
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
> 
> 
> 
> Mark Drexler wrote:
> > Hi. I have just purchased a 91 4 speed Westfalia. All gears work fine except
> > 1st.  Shifting into 1st is awkward.
> >
> > If I shift out of any gear including 3rd, into what I expect to be 1st.,  it
> > re-enters 3rd gear.
> >
> > To actually shift into 1st is like partially shifting into reverse.
> >
> > In other words, to get into 1st, I need to push the stick down and � way
> > over to the left towards reverse.
> >
> > Is this a linkage, or gearbox issue? Any thoughts on what part of the
> > linkage I need to look at?
> >
> > Thanks all.
> >
> >
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >