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
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
