{"product_id":"empi-23-5-trigger-shifter-for-vw-bus-1960-1979-black-finish-washburn-s-metal","title":"EMPI Trigger Shifter — Black Powder-Coat, Extra-Long 23.5\" O.A.L. | VW Bus \/ Type 2 1960–1979 (00-4509-0)","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eEMPI Trigger Shifter — Black Powder-Coat, Extra-Long 23.5\" O.A.L. | VW Bus \/ Type 2 1960–1979 (00-4509-0)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a Bus you sit well ahead of the shifter and the transmission lives somewhere behind your luggage — which is why a Type 1 shifter is useless here and why the wrong lever leaves you fishing for gears. The \u003cb\u003eEMPI Trigger Shifter 00-4509-0\u003c\/b\u003e is the Bus-specific \u003cb\u003e23.5\" extra-long\u003c\/b\u003e unit, black powder-coated, with a sliding reverse lock-out trigger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the \u003cb\u003eBus length, and only the Bus length\u003c\/b\u003e. At 23.5\" overall the shaft carries the knob forward and up to where a Bus driver's hand actually sits, which no 12\" or 13.5\" Type 1 shifter can do. The reverse lock-out earns its keep here more than anywhere else in the range: the Bus gate is famously vague once the linkage wears, and a trigger you have to deliberately lift is what stops you finding reverse while working back down through the gears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBest for:\u003c\/b\u003e 1960–1979 VW Bus \/ Transporter with a manual transmission — Split-Window, Early Bay and Late Bay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Bus \/ Transporter (Type 2):\u003c\/b\u003e 1960–1979 — Split-Window, Early Bay and Late Bay\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill not fit:\u003c\/b\u003e Beetle, Super Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Type 3 or Thing — those use the much shorter Type 1 shifter. This length is for the Bus only. Manual transmission only; not for Auto-Stick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhich EMPI Trigger Shifter Do I Need?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery EMPI trigger shifter uses the same sliding reverse lock-out mechanism. What changes between part numbers is \u003cb\u003efinish\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003cb\u003eknob\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eoverall length\u003c\/b\u003e — and length is the one that decides whether it fits your car comfortably. Short 12\" suits lowered seats, full consoles, buggies and kit cars. Long 13.5\" suits stock-height cars on factory seats. Extra-long 23.5\" is Bus-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePart No.\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFinish\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eKnob\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eO.A.L.\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFits\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-trigger-shifter-black-powder-coated-short-12-vw-type-1-ghia-00-4507-0\"\u003e00-4507-0\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack powder-coat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\" (short)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStealth \/ daily \/ buggy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-trigger-shifter-black-powder-coated-long-13-5-vw-type-1-ghia-00-4508-0\"\u003e00-4508-0\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack powder-coat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13.5\" (long)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStealth \/ stock height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cb\u003e00-4509-0 — you are viewing this one\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack powder-coat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23.5\" (extra-long)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Bus 1960–1979\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBus, daily driver\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-trigger-shifter-chrome-plated-short-12-vw-type-1-ghia-00-4451-0\"\u003e00-4451-0\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChrome-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\" (short)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBuggy, Baja, kit car, Cal-look\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-trigger-shifter-chrome-plated-long-13-5-vw-type-1-ghia-00-4450-0\"\u003e00-4450-0\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChrome-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13.5\" (long)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShow finish, stock height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-trigger-shifter-copper-plated-short-12-vw-type-1-3-ghia-00-4472-0\"\u003e00-4472-0\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopper-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\" (short)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopper look, budget, short\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-copper-plated-trigger-shifter-rosewood-knob-short-12-part-00-4472-2\"\u003e00-4472-2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopper-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRosewood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\" (short)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShow interior, wood wheel, short\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/empi-copper-plated-trigger-shifter-rosewood-knob-long-13-1-2-part-00-4474-2\"\u003e00-4474-2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopper-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRosewood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13.5\" (long)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eType 1, Ghia, Type 3, Thing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShow interior, stock height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/classic-trigger-shifter-copper-plated-with-rosewood-knob-23-1-2-extra-long\"\u003e00-4473-2\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCopper-plated\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRosewood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e23.5\" (extra-long)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVW Bus 1960–1979\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShow Bus, wood wheel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose EMPI?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEMPI has been building air-cooled VW performance and restoration parts since 1956, and the trigger shifter is one of the designs the brand is known for. Every unit ships as a complete assembly with the knob installed and the EMPI logo cast into the trigger. Washburn's Metal stocks the full trigger shifter range so you can match finish and length to the build rather than settling for whatever a catalog had left.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eExtra-Long 23.5\" overall length:\u003c\/b\u003e sized to the Bus driving position — see the comparison table above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSliding reverse lock-out trigger:\u003c\/b\u003e reverse stays blocked until you lift the trigger, so you cannot catch it on a downshift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eComplete assembly:\u003c\/b\u003e ships with the round black plastic knob installed and the EMPI logo cast into the trigger — no separate knob to buy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e23.5\" extra-long shaft:\u003c\/b\u003e sized for the Bus cab, where the driver sits far forward of the shifter tower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeaviest unit in the range:\u003c\/b\u003e 3.7 lb of shaft and casting, powder-coated to survive years of daily hand contact and windshield UV.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBolt-in replacement:\u003c\/b\u003e uses the stock shifter base plate and mounting bolts. No cutting, drilling or transmission modification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePart Number:\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI 00-4509-0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinish:\u003c\/b\u003e Black powder-coated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShift Knob:\u003c\/b\u003e Round black plastic knob (included, installed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOverall Length:\u003c\/b\u003e 23.5\" (extra-long style)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eReverse Lock-Out:\u003c\/b\u003e Yes — sliding trigger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFits:\u003c\/b\u003e VW Bus (Type 2) 1960–1979\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTransmission:\u003c\/b\u003e Manual only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold As:\u003c\/b\u003e Each\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShipping Weight:\u003c\/b\u003e 3.7 lb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBoxed Dimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e 24 x 18 x 3.25 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUPC:\u003c\/b\u003e 707924385663\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstallation Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a Bus the shifter mounts to a plate on the tunnel ahead of the seats, with a long shift rod running back to the transmission. Removal and installation is a hand-tool job: lift the boot, unbolt the base plate, lift the old lever out with its spring and stop plate, drop the new shifter in and bolt back down. Because the plate is already off, this is the sensible time to replace the \u003cb\u003eshifter bushing\u003c\/b\u003e, the \u003cb\u003ebase plate gasket\u003c\/b\u003e and — if the shift feel has been getting worse for years — the \u003cb\u003eshift coupler\u003c\/b\u003e at the transmission. On a Bus in particular, the long linkage means the coupler and rod bushings account for most of the slop; a new lever alone will not tighten those.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhy can't I use a Beetle trigger shifter in my Bus?\u003c\/b\u003e Two reasons: length and geometry. The Bus shifter tower sits far behind the driver, so a 12\" or 13.5\" Type 1 shifter would leave the knob down near the floor and well out of reach. The Bus shifter also has a different bend and base to suit the Bus tunnel. 23.5\" is the correct Bus length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill this fit a Split-Window Bus as well as a Bay Window?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes — EMPI lists 1960–1979 Type 2, which covers late Split-Window, Early Bay and Late Bay Buses with a manual gearbox. It is not for the Auto-Stick, which uses a different shifter with vacuum clutch actuation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMy Bus shifter is vague and sloppy. Will this fix it?\u003c\/b\u003e Partly, and you should know the whole picture before you order. Bus shift slop is a system: the shifter itself, the nylon bushing in the shifter base, the long shift rod and its bushings, and the shift coupler at the transmission. A new shifter fixes the lever end. If the vagueness has been getting steadily worse over years, budget for a coupler and bushing set at the same time — it is the same job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes it come with a knob?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes, a round black knob is included and installed, with the EMPI logo cast into the trigger.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs there a fancier version for a show Bus?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes — 00-4473-2 is the same 23.5\" Bus shifter in copper plating with a rosewood knob. Same function, considerably more presence in a restored cab.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat is the part number?\u003c\/b\u003e EMPI 00-4509-0, UPC 707924385663. Black powder-coated, 23.5\" extra-long, VW Bus 1960–1979.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/vw-bus\"\u003eVW Bus\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drivetrain-transmission\"\u003eDrivetrain \u0026amp; Transmission\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/transaxle-components\"\u003eTransaxle Components\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/empi\"\u003eEMPI\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ WARNING (California Prop 65):\u003c\/strong\u003e This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMPI","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44779261132915,"sku":"00-4509-0","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/00-4509-0-500x750.jpg?v=1776097116","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/empi-23-5-trigger-shifter-for-vw-bus-1960-1979-black-finish-washburn-s-metal","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}