[Doug Tatham]

Usually it's a problem with the linkage adjustment. You can get it close by feel, but you need the adjustment tool to get it right. Take it to a dealer. The longer shifter may provide the necessary leverage to break your linkage, but I doubt it will fix your problem.

I forgot to mention - get a rebuilding kit for the linkage. There are several bushings and stuff that wear out. This makes the shifting a LOT smoother.