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Date:         Tue, 15 Jan 2002 08:38:28 -0800
Reply-To:     Chris Weddle <info@2WEDDLE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Weddle <info@2WEDDLE.COM>
Subject:      Re: 5 speed trannys
Comments: To: "Smola, Tony" <TSmola@TRIBUNE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <23F66E6D73F4D31181C60004ACA369D7FB1736@ERD-LA-EXMB1>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Tony, Both the 4-speed and the 5-speed actually have an overdrive top gear (anything taller than 1.00:1 is considered overdrive).

This point aside, the fact that the factory 5-speed is a close ratio box is what makes it great. You always have the right gear for pulling a hill - no screaming the motor in 2nd so you can shift into 3rd, only to find that you can't really pull 3rd, or screaming the motor in 3rd up a long grade because you don't have the oomph to get into 4th and keep up with traffic. The 5-speed really helps in these situations. And for those who want to reduce highway rpm, we have taller 5th gears and taller r&ps available. Below is the standard info we e-mail our customers who are interested in a 5-speed trans for their Vanagon:

The standard Vanagon 5-speed transaxle ratios are 4.86 or 4.83 ring & pinion with 4.11/2.33/1.48/1.02/.82 1st through 5th gears. If you are interested in reducing highway cruising rpm, we offer a taller ring & pinion ratio (4.57) and/or taller 5th gear (.77 or .70). A standard 5-speed trans, rebuilt to our exacting standards with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty is $1995 outright. If you would like to trade in your 4-speed transaxle as a "core", we can reduce the price of the 5-speed trans to $1695. Upgrading the ring & pinion to the 4.57 ratio would be $295 extra. The taller 5th gear ratio would be $195 extra.

In order to install the 5-speed Vanagon trans, you will need a special front mount ($65) and, as an option, you might want to upgrade to the factory 5-speed shift linkage ($285).

For comparison, here is some information on the 1984+ Vanagon 4-speed transaxle: The standard 4-speed ratios are 4.86 or 4.83 ring & pinion with 3.78/2.06/1.23/0.85 1st through 4th gears. If you are interested in reducing highway cruising rpm in your 4-speed trans, we offer a taller ring & pinion ratio (4.57) and/or taller 3rd and 4th gears (1.17 or 1.14 3rd gear and .82, .77, or .70 4th gear). A standard 4-speed trans, rebuilt with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty is $1095 plus a $400 core charge. Upgrading the ring & pinion to the 4.57 ratio would be $145 extra. The taller 3rd or 4th gear ratios are $195 each.

Regards,

Chris Weddle Weddle Industries 700 Becknell Rd, Unit A Goleta, CA 93117 USA (805) 696-9665 Fax (805) 696-9667 info@2weddle.com

> From: "Smola, Tony" <TSmola@TRIBUNE.COM> > Reply-To: "Smola, Tony" <TSmola@TRIBUNE.COM> > Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:55:14 -0600 > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: 5 speed trannys > > Remember, the 5 speeds sold everywhere else but in the U.S. were not over > drive 5-speeds, but rather close-ratio trannys > > The ideal would be to have an overdrive with a motor which could handle > it......Tiico or I-4, I-5?......Porsche Boxter?.................Hmmmmmm? > > Malibu Tony > 85' westy > 78 911SC > > > > > Date: Sun, 13 Jan 2002 14:27:48 +1200 > From: Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ> > Subject: Re: 5 speed tranny > >> I have one in my '88 now. VW never officially sold 5 speeds in gas powered >> vans, > > You mean not in USA (and maybe Canada). Everywhere else got gas 5-speeds. > -- > Andrew Grebneff > 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand > <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> > Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut > Friends don't let friends do Windows


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