Got the 5spd to engage in all gears and fortunately did not have to swap any 5spd linkage, shafts or the shift box. If you're standing in front of the car with the hood up, the link which is horizontal to you with ball joints on both ends...
...
just flip it around. You may have to turn the ends to find the proper orientation for it to snap onto the ball joints, but that's it! (Nevermind the kink on the bar designed for the elevated transmission side. Matter of fact it's that kink, those couple of mm in length when flipped around does the trick).
Now to get this trucks smoking habit out of the way: I do not know where to begin. The fuel lines are too dark to see air in fuel line, though the line has definitely been changed to an aftermarket black tube. Also did I forget to me to mention there was NO filter in the intake!! Got the one from my Jetta in it but man, PO shenanigans drive me crazy.
The factory welded adjustment stop on the lever is still intact which means the tuning has not been messed with. I can't quite put my hands on it but it does not smell like diesel. But it's a lot of smoke and it is unbearable. Not sure if you can make out the color from this pic..