Fitting a 02A tower shifter

Hello, well im getting close to putting the engine in and im just trial fitting the tower shifter. Would like to know how people have fitted these? The bloke i got the stuff from said he mounted it underneath and got an extension on the gearstick so it wasnt sat short?

Ive searched the forum and google with out any clear answers on how and what people fit.

Here are some pics of what i have





Any help would be cool

Cheers

(assuming u have an o2a box) Normallu ppl fit that one inside the car mate and drill through the bulkhead and put the cables through there, with this one its the issue of the exhaust hitting the box cuz its quite large, but if ur not bother about the oe look inside the car just do that, that wud be the easiest option, failing that u cud go for a o2j shifter and put a shifter tower from and o2j box in ur o2a box

Sorry yeh i have an 02A box, Thanks for the info chipster. I may have a look around for an 02J tower but as i have the 02A part here i may as well use it.

Many thanks again

Im not sayin u cant use it buddy, im just sayin that if u have a bigger bore exhaust than standard then its a bit tight to fit underneath, u can modify the shifter box to make it shorter in height if ur handy with a welder, i had mine modified my crazy quiffs, they did a mint job with it

I've got exactly the same issue Chay and wasn't sure which way to go. I have an 02A box and have now bought a gear shifter from a mk 4 gti which has longer cables and I'm now trying to source an 02J shifter tower to fit to my 02A box. 02J shifter towers are readily available from the dealers and are around £140 brand new, I've been looking for a second hand one for ages but can't find one, so may go for the brand new option.

Ive seen on the net that you can use polo 16v tower so im on the look out, although i dont mind making this one fit!

I originally fitted the 02a shifter inside, but the the centre console doesnt fit over the shifter so it would mean not having the original look inside which I wanted. I then got an 02j tower in my box and fitted the 02j shifter which is very easy to mount underneath the car giving an original look.

To fit the 02a shifter I covered the shifter hole in the floor plan with some sheet steel and sat the box on top, securing it in place with 4 bolts through the corners of the shifter box and through the floor. Then drill 2 holes in the firewall and run the cables through there man.

Just annoying that I never made this decision at the start beacuse I now have to large grommits blanking off the holes in the firewall.

The 02j set-up is a much smoother shift aswell and you can get the audi TT short shift relay for the gearbox tower which makes it even better! I would recommend doing it all mate.

I have an 02j box in mine and use the diesel geeks short shift - absolutely beautiful shift now.
http://www.dieselgeek.com/5_Speed_VW_Short_Shifter_p/ss-sigma5.htm

I use Lupo GTI cables as well, they are just the right length for the Mk1. You can still get them new, rare second hand though.

Cheers for the info guys, So if i was to fit an 02J tower, will it work properly on my 02A box? Or do i need some other parts?

Cheers

This is whats on my gearbox

There is a few different shaft types on the 02j gearbox tower. There are some which are a direct fit. I ended up buyin a tower and then also changing the tower locator which sits at the bottom of the gearbox. It isnt a big job, just finding the correct tower really

http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&type=misc&id=modifications-and_2%2F02j-tower-with-02a&start=40

Have a read through my post here pal, it may come across like it was abit of a hassel for me. All I would suggest is to try and get the lower gearbox locator with the tower. Then if it does not fit straight straight into the 02a box. Its an easy enough job to unbolt the locator from the bottom and change it with the shaft.

Cheers for that, Had a read through the link you gave me.

Heres my tower taken out of box





Im gonna be looking for an 02J tower for the gearbox, one that will be a direct fit. also a polo gear shifter to mount underneath the car.

Wheres the best place to look for the tower that goes onto the gearbox? Ive checked ebay with no luck

Chay said

Wheres the best place to look for the tower that goes onto the gearbox? Ive checked ebay with no luck

The only place I could find one was the dealers mate, as everywhere else that has an 02J box won't remove the tower and sell seperate  You might be lucky and find someone who has one for sale but it's a long shot.

VW Dealers have them in stock for around £140ish

Andy.

Edit: You'll need the locator from underneath the gearbox too.

I just spent a long time on ebay messaging people breaking cars with 02j boxes in. The second tower and locator I brought from funkstar on here. Not sure whether he could help you out at all, worth a shot

my m8 got a 02j gearbox what im having to fit a diff in. ive already got a 02j tower so if u need 1 give me a shout

if your gearbox a cda code you wont need anything eles straight fit

also im using a polo gti shifter with new relay on tower and audi tt short shift they come with the latest style bow catch end nice precise shift and close

Cheers Pete, Managed to goto my local breakers this morning and pick up a 02J tower of out a MK4 golf. Paid £20 for it so wasnt too bad. Wanted to grab the gear shifter also but car was flat to the floor so i couldnt get underneath to get the shifter out

Thanks every one though!

Chay