I did what Jimmy did - only a little more hack
I hack-sawed off about 1.5" from my shifter, AFTER threading a 12x1.5 mm die down the shaft. Once I hacked off the top, I simply cleaned out the threads with the die as I unscrewed it. The whole process took 1/2 hour and the die cost $5. I haven't missed third gear since....
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98 Jetta TDI: mit Wett chip
Bleeding, Shine Racing springs, Bilstein HDs
Hella dual rounds, MAF de-screened, Naylor ramair