Reverse Lockout Plate, for All Aircooled VW Shifters

OVERVIEW

Precision shifting is the backbone of the vintage Volkswagen driving experience, but nothing ruins a cruise faster than accidentally grinding into reverse when you are reaching for second gear. The EMPI Reverse Lockout Plate is a critical component for restoring the structural integrity of your shift gate. Re-designed with reinforced support where it matters most, this plate is engineered to handle the rigorous demands of daily driving and the aggressive shifts often found in off-road dune buggies and performance street Beetles. When your original plate becomes worn, thin, or warped over decades of use, the internal lockout tab fails to provide the necessary resistance, leading to sloppy gear selection and potential transmission damage. This heavy-duty replacement ensures that the mechanical barrier between your forward gears and reverse remains crisp, defined, and reliable.

At Appletree Automotive, we know that the "feel" of an air-cooled VW is everything. This lockout plate is not just a stamped piece of metal; it is a vital restoration part that works in tandem with your shift lever and base spring to provide that classic, tactile feedback. Whether you are rebuilding a stock 1960s Bug or upgrading a Type 2 Bus, this plate serves as the foundation for your shifter assembly. It is compatible with almost all standard air-cooled VW shifter housings and is a must-have item whenever you are replacing shift bushings or installing a new chrome gear lever. By choosing this re-designed EMPI version, you are investing in a part that surpasses the original factory specifications for durability, ensuring that your shift patterns stay tight for the next fifty years of your VW''s life.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: 1950 through 1977 (Standard and Super Beetle)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Type 2 Bus / Transporter: 1950 through 1979
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1961 through 1973
• Volkswagen Type 181 Thing: 1973 through 1974
• Custom Applications: Fits most aftermarket EMPI, Hurst-style, and stock-replacement shifters for air-cooled platforms.

SPECS

• Material: Heavy-duty stamped carbon steel with reinforced stress points.
• Finish: Corrosion-resistant zinc plating for long-term protection against moisture and cabin grime.
• OEM Cross Reference: 211-711-259A, 111-711-149B.
• Installation Type: Bolt-on, fits between the shifter base and the floor tunnel.
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: Precision engineered to match factory bolt-hole spacing for a drop-in fit.

PRO TIPS

1. Proper Orientation is Paramount

One of the most common mistakes during installation is flipping the lockout plate upside down or backwards. For a standard Left-Hand Drive (LHD) Volkswagen, the "stop" or "ramp" portion of the plate should be positioned on the passenger side of the vehicle, with the curved lip facing upward. If you install it incorrectly, you will find it nearly impossible to engage reverse, or worse, you will lose the lockout protection entirely. Always perform a "dry shift" through all gears before tightening the two 13mm base bolts down to their final torque specs.

2. The "While You Are In There" Rule

If you are replacing your reverse lockout plate because your shifting feels sloppy, don''t stop there. This is the perfect time to inspect your shift rod bushing (located inside the tunnel just forward of the shifter) and the rear shift coupler (located under the access plate under the rear seat or behind the transmission). A new lockout plate works best when the entire linkage system is tight. We highly recommend applying a generous dab of high-quality white lithium grease to the lockout plate ramp and the base of the shifter ball to ensure smooth, frictionless movement and to prevent metal-on-metal wear.

3. Fine-Tuning the Shift Gate

The bolt holes in the shifter base and the lockout plate are slightly oversized for a reasonthey allow for minute adjustments. To find the "sweet spot," loosen the bolts slightly and move the shifter base side-to-side while testing the engagement of first and second gear. You want the lockout plate to provide a firm wall that prevents the shifter from moving too far left into the reverse gate, but not so far right that it interferes with the 1st-to-2nd vertical throw. Once you find the position where all gears click in effortlessly, hold the base firmly and torque the bolts down.