Date:         Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:09:57 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 5sp
In-Reply-To:  <CAHTkEuLKO=Dn8d14S4HLYm4itV9gVt_0TQJqjWkZ0h6V-NSzaQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

It's important to note that there are many different ratios for the T3
5-speed transmissions.  For instance, my first 5-speed had a 1st gear very
similar to a standard 4-speed (only 8% different).  You definitely did not
start in 2nd gear.  Many people running 5-speeds in the USA are using older
transmissions from diesels.  Those trannies had the higher ratio R&P (5.43 v
4.83).  In that transmission, 1st gear is pretty low.

Cheers,

Jeff



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Don Hanson
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2012 9:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 5sp

   I have a 5sp and like it.  It MAKES my van, pretty much.   I find the
very low, but not a true granny gear 1st to be quite useful on rough
terrain...not having to slip the clutch or lug the motor way down and risk
'jerking along' when the wheels lift....that makes driving in the rough or
on very steep hills quite a bit better than with a tall first gear.    The
regular pattern (I normally skip using 1st gear for starting out) is a
standard "H" 4speed.   The most useful aspect of the 5sp in a Vanagon is
the ability to downshift at about 65 or 70 when you encounter a significant
long grade at speed.   This shift is a small-ish increase in RPMs, but in
my van it really allows me to maintain 70mph easily uphill....I do have an
inline gas ABA Jetta 2 liter motor with a higher rpm power band.
   One thing it took me a while to discover is to NOT 'guide' the shift
lever when going from the back and left first gear to the second
gear.....just slap the stick forward and it will take the needed path to
second gear on it's own, much better than if you try to "help" it.     And
frequent lubrication of the under-van shift linkage really makes the
shifting slick!   I just squirt some spray lube onto the shiftrod bushings
from alongside the van...it works fine to do that every month or so.
    As mentioned, this pattern that many call 'weird" is actually normal
feeling to me....I have to re-adjust when I get into a vehicle where 5th
gear is on the other side of the "H" pattern.
  Selling a 5sp to finance a 4sp?  Huh?  Don't get that one at all..