The best way I have found to get less freeway RPM on a stock engined Wbx
is to put a taller .77 4th gear in during a rebuild...The SA 5 speed
trans does have at .77 in it already so you don't get any longer legs by
replacing the 4 spd with the 5 speed..just another gear to play with
whilst driving..On doing a repower or wanting a really tall 4th, you can
go up to a .70 but have to replace the 3rd gear also to keep the ratios
close enought to comfortably drive it...
The Syncro trans would fit with some modifications, but they are as
pricey as the 5 spd...
You could put in a syncro's locking diff in the 2 WD 4 speed if you tend
to get stuck a lot...just wouldn't have the granny low and fnt wheel
drive.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA.(Seattle area)
(425) 788-4070
1-877-377-0773 toll free
http://www.aatransaxle.com (web site)

From:    Pancho de la Luna <pancho@SPEAKEASY.ORG>
Subject: FW: 5 spd tranny

Hey gang-

looking to reduce the RPMs on my Vanagon while cruising at highway speed
for
a little better fuel economy and less wear on the engine. I know that
there
are 5spd trannys avail from south Africa, but I was curious if the
synchro 5
spd would work without all of the forward gearing on my normal GL. any
suggestions?

possibly rebuild the tranny so that it has a lower ratio running gear in
4th? what would a recommended ratio be that would work with a 4spd?

Myles
'86 GL