My 82 wagon has dr 4sp and won't shift into reverse. Any way to shim the linkage or something to get it over there?

Does it try to shift? Does it grind? Does it go part way in at all? I doubt it's a linkage problem if all the other gears work fine. It's probably internal. There are no linkage adjustments.

Try this one:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/47562-fix-for-worn-and-sloppy-shifter-linkage/?hl=sloppy

It feels like the shifter isn't going far enough to the right, but it has play on it. Not a super tight shifter, but I end up in 4th, no matter how far over I go with it. It happened gradually, so I thought it might be something getting loose.

Thanks,Shawn I'll give it a try.

Yep, I think Shawn is right based on your last post of the slop.

 

Also, the bushing that holds the stick in the mounting 'shelf' can go bad as well. I think GD had a fix for that.

Edited May 22, 201411 yr by skishop69

Tried following the links above, but it ended up at a bad page...

 

The shifter bushes go bad all the time in these.

They gradually wear away over the years, and people just get used to it gradually getting sloppier.

The bushes are hidden away, so you mostly don't see them even when working on the car, and hence forget about them.

 

Remove the centre console & then unscrew the rubber boot off the floor & you should see them.

Also on the back of the gearbox