Tim Smith wrote:

<<  Has anyone taken the ratio of R&Pinion gears for
gas vs. diesel trans and  figured out what size tires
would make for the same conversion.  >>

At 4000 rpm with the diesel 5.86 ring and pinion and
27" tall tires (baseline as thats a common tire for
Vanagons) and a .82 4th gear I get 66.89 mph.  The
aircooled engine trans with a 4.57 ring and pinion gets
85.77 mph for same tire and engine rpm.  If you
slap on a set of 35" Monster Gumbo Mudders with
the diesel ring and pinion at 4000 rpm you're at
86.71 mph.  Perphaps a bit too much mass for the
rip- norting 50hp diesel??  Tight fit anyway!

<< Saves re/re your own 'known' trans and hoping the
$300 junkyard special will last. >>

Thats why they're called 'JUNK'yards.  I use the same
transaxles they sell you for used parts on rebuilds.

Good idea though.  It would be a lot easier to swap
in a set of tires than the R&R a gearbox!

-Todd Hill
 VolksWerks Transaxles
 Olympia, WA