DIY: Fitting a MKIV gearknob on your MK3

[Golf Houso]

Having a complete lack of an install guide I've decided to make my own with proper pictures and instructions on how to fit a MKIV gear knob on your MK3. This took me about 30 minutes including buying the small hose clamp required.

What you need for this:
A new shifter with an integrated gaiter and an elastic base
A small hose clamp for the base of the shifter shaft
A hack-saw to cut through the shifter shaft
Some masking/sticky tape to mark the distance of the cut to the shifter stalk
A flat head screw driver to adjust the hose clamp
A rag/cloth to cover and collect any excess metal

So here is the first step: Observe how atrociously bad your gear knob is and decide to get a new one!





(Thanks Marshall! aka. Sierra055)

Secondly: Remove your old gearknob and/or gaiter by unscrewing the old knob and pulling off the gaiter from the shift gate trim:



Thirdly: Measure 35mm from the top of the shifter rod and mark the distance with a piece of tape, then begin to cut it with a hack-saw:



Fourthly: File the top of the shifter stalk until its flat and you have reached the 35mm marking. Remove the tape and sand vertically to make the surface and bit more abrasive and remove any sharp edges:



Fifthly: Insert the hose clamp over the bottom of the shift knob as seen here:



Sixthly: Push the gearknob over the shaft and position correctly, then begin tightening the hose clamp until its secure:



Finally: Re-insert the shift gate trim and pull the base of the gaiter over the trim and it should hold well, and ENJOY

[Soundofav6]

Looks neat !

Did you saw off because of length? Mine screwed in just fine.

[Golf Houso]

Looks neat !

Did you saw off because of length? Mine screwed in just fine.

No actually, alot of the later models did not have a thread, hence why you would need to cut it and put the hose clamp on, I just gave it a drive now and the shorter legnth definately helps imo.

[DubSteve]

Looks neat !

Did you saw off because of length? Mine screwed in just fine.

Louis that would be because you have a short shifter it has a smaller shaft.

No actually, alot of the later models did not have a thread, hence why you would need to cut it and put the hose clamp on, I just gave it a drive now and the shorter legnth definately helps imo.

I did this to my VR a couple of years ago and had to cut aswell, well done its a cheap mod that looks the goods!

[tassie_euro_mk1]

hey mate that looks great

i did the same thing with my setup (mk4 r23 shifter and boot)

i had to do a bit of cutting of the centre console though

[Water Boy]

Nice mod! Geez I wouldnt be too keen on cutting my shifter

[Mrk_Mickey]

I'd want to upgrade the handbrake boot with it...who knows whether or not that's possible?

[Soundofav6]

hey mate that looks great

i did the same thing with my setup (mk4 r23 shifter and boot)

i had to do a bit of cutting of the centre console though

Thats tight !

Like the finishing touch on it..

[li21]

Will any hose clamp do?

Because it is not threaded.. does the gear knob have much rotational play when shifting gears?

How much is a mk4 knob/boot set on average?

[coons88]

I'd want to upgrade the handbrake boot with it...who knows whether or not that's possible?

You could try and source one from a Mk3.5 Cabby
I want to try and find one of those wheels as well