pull up the rubber boot on shift lever in cab.
Look for excessive play at ball etc. at base of lever.
Those parts eventually wear. some pics of an '85 and '81 ball etc.
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/19811985ShiftLevers
Or, drop spare tire, inspect "ears" at base of shift lever.
(up inside box) These ears guide the shift lever
along the side of shift box or tang to help
form the "H" you should feel at shifter
("notches" shifter into each gear position)
1981 box shown on left:
https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/WBXTransmissionInto81VanagonWasAirCooled#5485681150103041954

On 6/26/15, Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com> wrote:

> I can't get into any gear. The shifter handle was stuck up near the
> radio... Very unnatural, like a broken elbow.

--
Neil n

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