Using a 5 speed gearbox with a 4 speed selector

[discipleofsketch]

Ok, so I now have a 5 speed T3 petrol gearbox (of unknown code - case is too corroded to read it), but I am still using the 4-speed gearstick/ selector. I'm not 100% sure what else is from the original 4 speed set-up.

Anyway, it all seems to work - I can select dog-leg 1st by pushing the gearstick into the floor (in the same way you do for reverse) then left and back.

A couple of questions that someone might be able to answer:-

1) with a proper 5-speed set-up, do you still have to push the stick into the floor to get over to 1st?

2) anything else I should be worried about using this hybrid set-up?

My long term plan is to have my 4-speed rebuilt for the tdi, at which point I will probably overhaul the linkage etc., but this seems to be an acceptable workaround for now?

[Aidan]

normally you push against spring pressure to go through the gate and then back, only have to push down for reverse
you have it like we do in the syncros, with G being where 1st is for you, it's how I would do it, anyone else driving your van will just pull away in 2nd (ok rolling or flat/downhill) but better to use first even though it is so short a gear

[discipleofsketch]

normally you push against spring pressure to go through the gate and then back, only have to push down for reverse
you have it like we do in the syncros, with G being where 1st is for you, it's how I would do it, anyone else driving your van will just pull away in 2nd (ok rolling or flat/downhill) but better to use first even though it is so short a gear

Thanks Aidan, that's reassuring, just wanted to check I wasn't putting stress somewhere it shouldn't be, using 1st with the unconventional set-up.

[dode]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I have a question and as yet I have been unable to find an answer. What is the difference between the 4 and 5 speed setup? My van has been off the road for many years and I am just getting her back together. I have a 5 speed box but no linkage and I want to know if I can modify the 4 speed linkage?
Thanks in advance.

[discipleofsketch]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I have a question and as yet I have been unable to find an answer. What is the difference between the 4 and 5 speed setup? My van has been off the road for many years and I am just getting her back together. I have a 5 speed box but no linkage and I want to know if I can modify the 4 speed linkage?
Thanks in advance.

As far as I know I am running an unmodified 4-speed linkage on a 5-speed box. The difference is as described above, - to reach 1st (which is in the dog-leg position, left and back), I have to push the gearstick down to get it through the gate, in the same way as you do for reverse, whereas on a 5-speed linkage, I would just push across against spring pressure to get it through the gate.

[Aidan]

you could improve it by fitting the top hat in the selector shaft spring stop as per the 4 speed and syncro gearboxes, would give more positive feel for 4th and 5th position, easy enough to do, three bolts to undo,remove reverse switch cover, fit top hat replace cover and do up bolts, £5 inc postage