Super Shifter, Shift Box Assembly, Latest Rage

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your driving experience and eliminate the vague, "rowing a boat" feeling of a stock Volkswagen gear selector with the EMPI Super Shifter. This shift box assembly is engineered specifically for the air-cooled enthusiast who demands precision, speed, and safety in every gear change. Unlike standard T-handle shifters that can sometimes feel flimsy, the Super Shifter features a heavy-duty chrome-plated box and a reinforced handle that provides a much shorter, more positive throw. This translates to faster gear engagement and a significantly more connected feel between the driver and the transaxle, whether you are navigating tight city streets in a vintage Beetle or carving dunes in a high-performance sand rail. The standout feature is the integrated push-button reverse lockout, which provides a mechanical barrier to prevent accidental engagement of reverse when you are quickly downshifting into second geara common and potentially damaging mistake in high-stress driving scenarios.

Aesthetics and durability go hand-in-hand with this assembly, as the high-luster chrome finish adds a custom, show-quality look to your interior or open-air cockpit. The unit comes equipped with a classic round black shift knob that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, though the threaded shaft allows for easy upgrades to billet aluminum or custom resin knobs to match your vehicle''s specific theme. Installation is remarkably straightforward, designed as a direct bolt-on for most Type 1 based chassis. By replacing the entire shift housing rather than just the lever, you ensure a stable platform that won''t flex under pressure. At Appletree Automotive, we recommend this shifter as one of the single best "bang-for-your-buck" performance upgrades you can make to your VW, offering a night-and-day difference in tactile feedback and shifting confidence from the very first mile.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle: All years (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Type 1 Karmann Ghia: All years
• Volkswagen Type 3: Notchback, Squareback, and Fastback models
• Volkswagen Type 181 Thing: All years
• Dune Buggies: All VW-based tube chassis and fiberglass body kits (Manx, Meyers, etc.)
• Sand Rails: Custom builds utilizing a standard VW shift rod and 2-bolt mounting pattern
• Baja Bugs: Ideal for rugged off-road use where gear lockout is essential

SPECS

• Part Number: AC798700 / 16-2105-0
• Material: High-strength steel with premium chrome plating
• Reverse Lockout: Mechanical push-button design on the side of the handle
• Shift Pattern: Standard H-pattern (Reverse is lockout-protected)
• Knob Style: Threaded round black plastic (Removable/Upgradable)
• Base Design: Fully enclosed chrome shift box for maximum rigidity
• Mounting Hardware: Includes necessary bolts for standard VW tunnel mounting
• Finish: Mirror-polished chrome handle and base box

PRO TIPS

1. Inspect Your Shift Rod Bushing and Coupler

Even the best shifter in the world cannot compensate for a worn-out shift rod bushing or a sloppy rear coupler. Before installing your new Super Shifter, we highly recommend crawling under the car and inspecting the shift rod coupler at the nose cone of the transmission, as well as the plastic bushing located just behind the shifter hole in the tunnel. If these components are cracked or have excessive play, your new shifter won''t feel as crisp as it should. Replacing these "while you are in there" ensures that the short-throw precision of the EMPI unit is fully realized at the gearbox.

2. Master the Neutral Alignment

When bolting the Super Shifter to the tunnel, don''t tighten the bolts all the way down immediately. The mounting holes are slightly oversized to allow for fine-tuning. The "sweet spot" for alignment is typically found by placing the transmission in neutral and ensuring the shifter sits perfectly vertical. A great trick is to shift into second gear, then slightly loosen the bolts and move the base until the handle feels centered, then torque them down. This ensures that you have equal travel for all gears and that the reverse lockout button engages smoothly without binding against the internal stop plate.

3. Don''t Skimp on Lubrication

To maintain that "like-new" smooth action for years to come, apply a generous amount of high-quality lithium grease or moly-grease to the internal pivot ball and the contact points inside the chrome box during installation. While the unit comes with a light factory coating, a bit of extra lubrication reduces friction and prevents the "squeak" that can sometimes develop in metal-on-metal shift assemblies. Periodically checking this lubrication during your annual maintenance will keep the push-button mechanism operating effortlessly and protect the internal components from premature wear.