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Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 am

My mechanic pulled my car out of the bay the other day, hopped out and said "You know that shift extender is gonna ruin your transmission. If VW would have intended it to be there it would have been".

I did not get much more from him at the moment as I was in a big hurry, but I am now of course wondering....

I am talking about the 3 inch or so extender on the manual 4spd Vanagon (91). Anyone wanna take this one on?

The extender is awesome and I will part with it if need be, but wanna see what you all think.

Thanks,

Adam

Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:58 am

I never heard that. Can't quite see how it's even possible. If VW had done everything right, they wouldnt' have allowed Westfalia to create a rear closet on westy cabinets that couldnt be opened unless you pulled out the table. I've used an extender w/no problems.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:05 am

ifollowtheturtles wrote:
The extender is awesome and I will part with it if need be, but wanna see what you all think.

The only way this could add strain on your transmission is that the added length of the shifting arm means more leverage meaning more forces are applied downstream.
So possibly you might stretch cables more.. add a bit more stress to the linkages.. but if you shift gently.. and I think I do now that the extender puts my arm in a more relaxed postion, I can't honestly see how the extender hurts in anyway.

Now.. if you're the type to use a closed fist to shift.. and or have a tendency to jam it into place.. then yeah.. some more wear and tear is likely.

But my own observations is that the added length results in a softer touch needed.

Seems a wash to me.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 am

Didn't VW intend to use the 3-4 slider that they used in the late model transmissions? Look how that turned out.

You know how you're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter while its in gear? My guess is that the mechanic thinks that the added weight of the lever is kinda like resting your hand on the shifter. Really though, if thats his reasoning I think its a bunch of hogwash.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:49 am

dixoncj wrote: ...If VW had done everything right, they wouldnt' have allowed Westfalia to create a rear closet on westy cabinets that couldnt be opened unless you pulled out the table.
...or "bumpers" made of epoxy glass
...or driver's side seat swivels in a westy
...or...??

(could make for an interesting thread)

Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:29 pm

stretch connecting rod bolts in the 2.1

Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:08 pm

Or give it the aerodynamics of Arnold Schwarzenegger's head....

Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:31 pm

Keane wrote: Didn't VW intend to use the 3-4 slider that they used in the late model transmissions? Look how that turned out.

You know how you're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter while its in gear? My guess is that the mechanic thinks that the added weight of the lever is kinda like resting your hand on the shifter. Really though, if thats his reasoning I think its a bunch of hogwash.

If i leave my hand on my shifter the tranny whines, as soon as I take it off, no whine.
I have heard the shift extender bull before too, I don't have my mind made up yet since I have never had an extender. But, Since my tranny whines with my hand, I won't be putting any added presure like an extender on it.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:36 pm

I vote crappola.
Imagine adding a 2 foot extension, and if you grab the handle at the middle when shifting you have the same leverage, and are applying the same force to the components. Nothing would change.
Adding the extension allows you to put more force, *if you want to*, but that force would only be applied to the shift linkage components anyway.
So adding the extension just allows you use less force at your hand, to apply the same exact force at the working end.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:51 pm

Dogpilot wrote: Or give it the aerodynamics of Arnold Schwarzenegger's head....
Now there's a poll I'd like to see...

"What has the worst aerodynamics?"
A - Arnold's Head
B - Brick on it side
C - Vanagon

(probably too close to call...)

Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:11 pm

Did you consult with your insurance company before installing this? it may compromise your safety and insurance coverage

Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:32 pm

So possibly you might stretch cables more..

What are these cables you speak of? There are no cables in or linking to my manual trans.

I think this mechanic found it hard to shift your vanagon, what he meant to say was : "if I keep grinding your gears into reverse i'm gonnal kill your transmission" :lol:

Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm

vwjedi wrote: So possibly you might stretch cables more..

What are these cables you speak of? There are no cables in or linking to my manual trans.

Sorry.. not cables.. rods.
Lazy terminology.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm

Adam ... Your mechanic is in a daze. He was confusing the extension with a "short shift kit", which can promote synchro teeth wear by rushing the shift. Your extension is actually a "long shift kit", which merely makes it easier to reach the knob (and it actually slows down the shifting a tad).

Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:22 am

complete BS.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:50 am

Utter nonsense.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:00 am

Pure bol-der-dash. Just hadda sneak that one in...not sure how my spellin is gonna be treated by the purists but go ahead and make my day.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:04 am

RCB wrote: Pure bol-der-dash. Just hadda sneak that one in...not sure how my spellin is gonna be treated by the purists but go ahead and make my day.

WE'LL LET IT GO THIS TIME.

Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:00 am

malarky

Tue Apr 13, 2021 9:46 am

I have had two different VW mechanics tell me that the extender does cause damage. I love the GoWesty extender.
If this was true (that it causes damage) then why would they sell it?
I just bought the GoWesty Shifter System Overhaul Bundle and I want to get this matter right.
Is it a myth or a fact that an extender on the manual shifter is not good/causes damage?