We’re working flat out to knock out those finishing touches on our cars here at JK HQ, before we head off to the VolksWorld Show. Since there hasn’t been a VolksWorld Show for a couple of years, we’re all pretty excited and it’s been a great motivator to get our VWs finished up.
Chet from our Trade Sales team has just treated his Beetle to a brand new, limited edition Empi Eliminator Shifter, which looks awesome. He’ll be bringing his 1956 Oval-window Beetle to VolksWorld this weekend, so keep an eye out for it!
He fitted the new Eliminator shifter this weekend, and told us how he got on:
Show preparation are nearly done on my Oval, so there’s (hopefully) just the exhaust to re-fit now!!
Fitting the Eliminator shifter was pretty quick and easy to do, the only tools required are a 13mm socket and a 13mm open ended spanner.
I removed the old gearstick with the 13mm socket - top tip, select 2nd gear before removing so when you re-fit the new shifter you can get it lined up a bit quicker!
Once the old shifter was removed, I got some new shorter bolts, as I had a quick shift plate in previously.
It was then pretty easy to fit the Empi shifter using the 13mm spanner - you can’t use a socket as part of the mechanism is in the way.
Another tip: A bit of grease on the shifter ball, or in the socket of the shift rod before fitting will help with a smoother action.
The shifter does come with a rubber boot to cover the mechanism, but I prefer the look without it. Plus, fitting it to an early pan I couldn’t use it as the heater knob is in the way.
These shifters do not have a reverse lock out, but instead have a sprung loaded stop, so if you have a particularly weak shoulder or elbow, I probably wouldn’t advise fitting one of these!
Once fitted I did remove the wooden shifter handle to match it to the steering wheel I’ve been reconditioning.
A small amount of adjustment may be required, but hopefully we will get to VolksWorld without a hitch!!