hi Mark,
you mean front half of 82 westy shift linkage to operate the rear half of
linkage and trans that's 91 ?

if you look at any 83 and later vanagon you'll see there is a support
bushing at the aft end of the fuel tank...on that frame there.
if you make or install a similar bushing there for the front half of your
early van linkage..
that will work.
you may have to adjust for length, depending.
and  front trans mount may need some modification.

if it's a year away ..
I'd go for changing out the entire late linkage .

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark L. Hineline" <hineline@OCOTILLOFIELD.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2010 10:19 AM
Subject: Shift rod

> Is it possible to set up the front half of the 91/1 shift rod and mate
> it to the rear piece of the 91 rod? I know that this would require a
> modification so that the rear rod could attach to the universal joint.
> This would be in advance (by, say, a year or so) of retrofitting a
> 91/1 transmission into my bus.
>
> Mark
> '82 Westy