Reverse is in the normal place..
down left and forward, on the 5 spd.

VW has used the same shift pattern, more or less, forever.
If you look at various cars' shift patterns..
a few have R over by the top gears ..
usually though ....R is by the lower gears and in most older VW's is
down left and forward .

VW is very good about continuity between years and models.
In my 93 Eurovan ...all controls area very similar to a Vanagon's ..
though they sure made sure the brake warning light was large and right
in the middle of the dash.
  its' so easily not noticed in a vanagon.

On 10/22/2013 2:00 PM, ralph meyermann wrote:
> so instead of pushing down left and forward for reverse, it would be down
> left then back ? I could handle that, Velma is primarily a road
> trip/camping vehicle. This is my first VW and not informed on the various
> shift patterns.
>
> Velma 82 1.9L AAZ td westy
> On Oct 22, 2013 3:02 PM, "mark drillock" <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
>> There is no way to make 4 gears as useful as 5 for a non-tdi diesel.
>> Spreading out 4 gears to cover the same range as 5 leaves gaps that the
>> weaker engine can't deal with.
>>
>> You don't need to go down before left if you have the original 5 speed
>> shifter. If you use the 4 speed shifter then the reverse lockout guide
>> blocks 1st so you have to go down before you go left and back.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Stacy Schneider wrote:
>>
>>>         First is like going in to reverse on a classic beetle every time
>>> you come away from a stop sign .
>>>         Of course this is my opinion . Some people may just shift around
>>> it  and put the wear on their clutch instead .
>>>           Sure it may give you a spread in shifting . But so will a well
>>> built. 4 speed and none of the dreaded down and left every time you stop .
>>>           My. 914/6 had the same set up ,except you didn't have to push
>>> down to get in gear and I didn't 't care for it either. .
>>>            I grew up driving and stick and have never owned any thing else
>>> . In my opinion  1st gear belongs up and left  . Add as many gears on the
>>> end , I am fine as well . But left and down for 1 st ,no thanks .
>>>
>>>                                  Stacy
>>>                             Vanagonsplus.com
>>>