You can swap the whole linkage to match the later tranny. The bushing
location above the tank in 80-82+ is not used and the metal tab for it
will need to be bent up out of the way of the later front shift rod.
Expect to slightly lower the tank to do this. The later front shift rod
bushing mounts to the crossmember at the rear edge of the fuel tank so
you will need to mount the later bushing plate there, easy enough and
the main hole is present so you may only need to drill holes for the 2
bushing plate bolts, M8.

Note that the stock tranny position is different fore/aft between the 2
types and this relates to the engine position as well since the engine
and tranny are mated. If you don't move the engine back about 1 1/2" you
will need to modify the later nose mount and deal with shortening the
overall length of the later shift rods.

Mark

neil n wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> My air cooled transmission has a "whirring" noise likely indicating an
> inevitable failure. One that might render it UN-rebuildable before
> then. So before I start tearing into things, can I:
>
> Swap in an entire '85 shift linkage and transmission. (from shifter in
> cab to transmission itself. Does the '85 bushing fit in cross member
> hole above fuel tank?)
>
> Or...
>
> Swap in rear portion of '85 linkage and WBX transmission only.
> (Bentley shows a 2nd bushing for rear portion of linkage. Is there a
> hole in cross member for this bushing?)
>
> The '85 linkage has more parts (more maintenance down the road) but I
> understand it's an improved design. Besides. The bushing above fuel
> tank on my '81 is nearly worn out. Though I bet something could be
> substituted, I understand it's NLA. It seems all the parts are still
> available for the WBX linkage.
>.............