I thought about that brass one. Apparently the same part is available via McMaster Carr. If this one fails again soon I’ll go the brass route. Current theory is that when the motor/trans mounts were loose I wrecked the bushing. There was a lot of lateral motion for the first year or so after the engine swap. I had the stock VW shifter in and I’d…[Read more]

Good to know.

Get the stock type rubber ones. The urethane cracks and fails, we are told.

A few shots from the cruise, with appropriate captions so those who missed the event can understand what is happening….

A

“The road’s over there! I swear!”

(“Nobody breathe. We are safe from trucks here…”.)

Lunch was delicious. I’m so happy I don’t care what’s happening to Vicenc’s engine.

“My god, Bill! Your tongue! What ARE you??”

What’s this now? TWO steering couplers? Why?

Karen and I got home about 6:30. Car’s shifting rotten but we made it OK. Total of about 260 miles today on 9 gallons. 11 1/2 hours on the road (and in the pub & at the ice cream shop, etc.). Good times. Thanks again to Vicenc and Charlene for lunch and  a great ride.

See you in the morning!

No trip meter here either but I’m not too worried.

Thanks, guys. I suspect I’ll be in no trouble whatsoever if I continue as I have with the occasional nice-day drive to and from work. On the way in this a.m., the truck in front of me, mid 1990s GMC Step-sider with two pitbull bumper stickers (“a member of my family” and “Ban stupid people, not dogs”), sported a historic tag.

That’s the guy…[Read more]

I think the seat racks have to be ground off regardless on all the kits. Just get a cutoff wheel & it shouldn’t take but a few minutes, half-hour…

And that’s how it goes, Scott. Welcome to the forum.

A couple guys here have put in new floors. There are also “frame stiffeners” for VW pans for sale. I’m thinking of getting a set. One guy has installed them (I think) on his kit. They’re spendy but an easier install than these convertible rails, which require a body jig and welding.

I second Kent’s shifter diagnosis. If you’ve never replaced a shift rod bushing, we’ll describe the fun & try to help.

The squirrelly front end might be any of the various bushings, ball joints and steering knuckles. Could be the dampener too. Check all that if you haven’t yet. But often that feeling is gotten because: