New van - new problem!

[mirams]

Hello,

I've finally got a replacement for my old van. It is 1991 Autohomes Kamper and has a DJ and a 5 speed gearbox. Laid out like this:

R - 2 - 4
1 - 3 - 5

Problem is that getting into Reverse, 2nd or 4th all require punching the radio, they are on the verge of not going in at all, simply because you can't select them. And going into 1st you have your hand on the passenger's knee. 5th gear (bottom right) is almost a directly vertical stick instead of near your knee! Movement between the gears is fine (a bit awkward to find reverse, but this could be because it is inside the radio somewhere).

I have heard there are `short-shifing' kits, but this seems too extreme to be fixed by changing the pivot point slightly. Is there something I need to adjust underneath? Any ideas?

Thanks
Gary

[Mocki]

you'll be needing to shorten the throw, adjusting the length of the main rod by only 1/4 of a inch should do this, but be very wary, mark everything before you move anything.
The haynes manwell has the set up procedure in it, its not that hard to do.


The Shortshifters are very good, but they will not solve a linkage set up problem, you need the linkages set up before you put a shortshifet on.


Mine was like this, and i got , shall we say, a little brutal with it at a set of traffic light when i was fetching it home.......Put my foot against the bottom of the stick and pulled the top towards me.....solved the problem....... but i wouldnt suggest you do this, if you snap the stick its big hassle finding one and then you have to do the set up....

[jason k]

linkage?? maybe a bent gear lever!!! some people force em a bit!!!
my cheetah was a smack you knuckles into the radio job, changed the lever and it was superb, inches away from the dash!!

[squarepants]

This used to annoy me and I always intended to do something about it. Then, seeing your post, it dawned on me that I had got used to it and it didn't bug me any more! And it still doesn't... although I will think about it when I get in next time no doubt!!!

[mirams]

Thanks - I'll get myself a new Haynes manual (last one suffered the same fate as the van).

Gary

[Pepperami]

I bought a short shifter from club 80-90 at dubfreeze. I can now listen to just one radio station

[cumbriankeith]

And don't forget that there are lots of things that gently wear out and cause things to get sloppy. So dismantle, renew the worn bits, reassemble, adjust, fit a short shift kit and it'll be as good as can be!

[mirams]

Sorted!

It was a bent gear lever (bent around the pivot ball) probably from when someone couldn't find reverse and forced it in that direction. Striaghtened it out and it is fine now.

Thanks for the suggestions

Gary

[Blue Thunder]

Careful with the bent shifters (ooh matron!), I was rather vigorously looking for reverse on my wagon before and busted the gear stick so that it actually pivoted 360. Could only change gear if I grabbed the stick at the floor. Got a guy to put a collar on it for me and is grand now. Apparently, these sticks break quite often.