Mk4 1999.5 02A shifter swap to 2000+ 02J shifter

Because I never actually found any definitive confirmation of this in my months of research...

A 2000+ 02J shifter assembly will direct swap into a 1999.5 Mk4 car with the 02A shifter. I confirmed this today during my swap. Everything bolted right up.

I actually swapped my 1999.5 02J DQY transmission (with the 02A shift tower) for a EGR 2000+ 02J transmission with the correct shift tower, so everything was very "easy" for me.

Shifter on left is the 02A mk4 shifter - Shifter on right is the 02J mk4 shifter.

So, what needed to be changed? Everything that rides on the spline or actual parts in the transmission?

did you check the bushing before installing the used part?

Roadkil4 said:

So, what needed to be changed? Everything that rides on the spline or actual parts in the transmission?

Click to expand...

Shift tower, cable box, shifter... Great upgrade for the 99.5 cars.

Will the shifter from a gasser work?

Is that the changeover from the "ball and socket" style joints on the shift cables at the transmission to the "stud and clip" style joints?

Yes, gasser stuff is fine.


No, the 99.5 uses a Mk3 style shifter, I guess VW was clearing out old stock. It is much different design than the "regular" 02J stuff. 02J comes in either a pin or ball style but it's just the cable ends and shift tower that change, the cables themselves are the same for both styles.

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk

Here's a kind of off topic, but related question as it sounds like you guys may know the answer.
Long story short, there's currently an FBV 2.0 gasser box in my 01 TDI (original was a DQY according to the sticker in the trunk) and it's killing me. I'm hoping to get the funds soon to swap out the FBV but am wondering if I need a DQY tranny or if I can use an EGR/EBJ. I've been told there's differences between the towers but (A) I don't know what the differences are - and (B) There's an FBV in there now, will the kit that's in there fit any of the TDI boxes?

The tower comes off with 2 bolts and is easily swapped.

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk

Exactly what I needed to find out. Thanks vanbcguy!!!

What is the better of the 2, pin or ball style?

crawdaddy said:

What is the better of the 2, pin or ball style?

Click to expand...

If you're looking to swap later style shifter parts, I'd go with the pin/clip style.

The ball/socket cable ends were only used briefly (I think) the first half of 2000? As far as I know, the ball/socket cable ends are NLA. I recently swapped mine out on the 2000 Beetle for the later 2001+ A4 pin/clip style.

If/when I change over my old style shift mechanism with the later 2001+ A4 pin/clip style, would I need the bottom receiver that has the VW logo cast into it?
I think my 02J code EBJ 5spd was from a 2000 jetta TDI.
Also, does the later 2001+ A4 pin/clip style shift tower bottom receiver (see right item in photo) come with the clip?

From what I've read the different sized lower cap was only found on early 02A cars, like Corrados and probably B3 Passats. The lower cap is the same size on all the late 02As and 02Js.

Sent from my XT1097 using Tapatalk

Rembrant said:

If you're looking to swap later style shifter parts, I'd go with the pin/clip style.
The ball/socket cable ends were only used briefly (I think) the first half of 2000? As far as I know, the ball/socket cable ends are NLA. I recently swapped mine out on the 2000 Beetle for the later 2001+ A4 pin/clip style.

Click to expand...

Are the 2 ends interchangeable?
If I were only able to get ball/socket ends and at a later date I was to find pin/clip ends, would that be all I would need is the the ends?

crawdaddy said:

Are the 2 ends interchangeable?
If I were only able to get ball/socket ends and at a later date I was to find pin/clip ends, would that be all I would need is the the ends?

Click to expand...

Well, you would also need what the cable ends attach to. In this case, the side to side relay lever, and the main shift lever. I got one from a 2004 TDI and installed it on my 2000...at least the guy told me it was from a 2004. It was the newer 2001+ style.

I had the pivot from side to side pin break on a 99.5 jetta shifter today.......

The main upper pin where the shifter bracket pivots broke in the weld. That is that is when I discovered that the car has more to do with an a3 body jetta than an a4, to my surprise I discovered thAt you have to replace Cables & all to install the updated setup from a newer car.,.....

With few options at this point other than a full swap to a later model design I decided to just fix what I have.....

I took a drill to make the broken weld hole larger, I then tapped the larger hole......

I then installed a bolt with a smooth shank that was the same diameter as the shaft that was there which the weld broke while I was shifting from 2rd to 3rd today....

After I had installed the bolt I then added a lock nut for support..,....

Hoping this will fix it for the rest of the cars running life.....Has anyone else made a similar repair...?.…....

...?...If so, how well did it hold up over time?.....

....Does anyone know where there might be one of these A4s in a Colorado salvage yard?.....

.....I could use a few miscellaneous parts for my A4 body jetta..,....