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Date:         Mon, 28 Dec 1998 21:02:44 EST
Reply-To:     Jwilli941@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Dave Caston's posi trans upgrade question #2
Comments: To: listserv@gerry.vanagon.com
Comments: cc: DavidCaston@COMPUSERVE.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Jwilli941 writes:

<< Subj: Re: [vanagon] Dave Caston's posi trans upgrade question Date: 12/27/98 8:17:52 PM Pacific Standard Time From: Jwilli941 To: vanagon@onelist.com

Dave wanted to know......

<< On 85 & up Vanagons: Do 5 speeds exist for the two wheelers?>>

Yes, they do. Somewhat rare for the States (true 5 speeds- not the low 1st gear style 5-speeds) but they are around. Ken Wilford did have a couple of brand new South African VW 5-speeds last I heard. He was offering them at a very good price to boot. I understand that you also have to retrofit the 5-speed shift linkage as well. Between the linkage, the gearbox, and the labor to install all that I'd guess that you would be near $2800-$3000 for this. But it is a brand new transaxle!

Another route is to slightly change the gearing on your existing 4-speed. I have done this for other VW owner's and they where happy with the results. What is done is to try and duplicate the flexibility of the true 5-speed but with only 4 gears. Its not a 5-speed but at less than half the cost of retrofitting one in you can see that its a strong contender. The true 5-speed is the way to go, but it can be a somewhat expensive proposition.

<< If not, does a "posi" upgrade exist for the 4 speed transaxles? If so, from whom? >>

A couple of options there as well. The Syncros came with a locking diff that was actuated by a switch on the dash. I have new 091-1 transaxle maincases that have the mounting bosses in place, but not drilled through, for this style of locking differential. During a rebuild this new, stronger alloy, maincase can be substituted and a VW factory locking diff fitted. You would have to route the controls to it and rig up some sort of switch on the dash but it shouldn't be too difficult. The other option is the Weddle Engr. 'LockRite' diff. This is an addition to the existing open style diff in the 091-1s and acts more like a limited slip than a locking differential. (At least from what I have read- I have not actually installed one myself) It would be less expensive than to retrofit a factory locker, however, some people who have these state that they seem a bit harsh on dry pavement. I have driven 4X4s with Detroit Lockers in their diffs and have noticed this as well. From my experience this is due more to the design characteristics of limited slip or locking diffs rather than something to do with the Vanagon transaxle itself.

-Todd Hill VolksWerks Transaxles Olympia, WA 360-412-0948

PS- See Ken Wilford's site at "members.aol.com/kenwilfy" >>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Perhaps my original reply was lost during the listserv change over? If not then just hit the 'delete' key! // Todd


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