TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:46 pm

I'd never removed a vw engine until a year ago, now I've done it several times and feel prety comfortable.
On to the next 1st vw experience... transmission removal. Reverse is pretty much gone in this one so we're exchanging it for a freeway flyer. I've read the pros and cons on putting this transmission in a baja and considering it's going to be 90% commuting to school and 10 percent trail cruising I think I'm comfortable with our decision.
My question is... do you have any advice for pulling the trnsmission?
We plan to pull the tires and brakes off and take the transmission down including the axles. It's probably a straight forward operation but I thought I'd check with the experts. We have all of the books but nothing beats the advice here.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:15 pm

It's easy. Disconnect the CV's, coupler under the back seat, couple of mounts, and the reverse and starter wires. Comes right out.

You won't like the freeway flier in a baja with a stock motor and big tires. 4th will be useless. I think bajahucks had one and could only get up to 50mph downhill with a tailwind.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:24 pm

I just pulled mine out for the first time in my life today, It was about as straight as It gets.

Mines a swing, so I left the brakes attatched to it, but, coupler, clutch cable, starter, and four bolts holding it in, and if yours is a swing, you got the 3 on each side holding the axles on. Did it in about an hour with breaks.

Good luck

Fri Mar 19, 2010 5:26 pm

Maybe I'll have to look into it a little further I hadn't heard that. I was mostly concerned with 1st & 2nd gear for trails and was told that the I wouldn't notice any difference in those two but 3rd and fourth would be better at higher speeds on the freeway. The guy I talked to never mentioned the effect the larger tires would have on the ration. I'm no math whiz so it never crossed my mind.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:47 pm

I think a freeway flyer trans would not be a good option. I have a late mod. trans with a 3.88 r&p in my '69. I can run 1st through 3rd farther than a 4.12 and 4th is good a flat ground. Any decent hill and I have to drop to 3rd. I can run 65 to 70. I could go faster but I have to get my tires rebalanced. She does good in the woods at our farm.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 7:05 pm

I run a 3.88 in my 69 Fastback. Cruise at 80 mph, and get 30-35 mpg. There is a big hole between 2nd and 3rd.

It would suck off road.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:01 pm

You guys are making me rethink my choice

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:35 pm

Highest I would go off road is a 4.12. And depending on how little street driving you do, maybe stick with a 4.37.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:58 am

1776, 4.12s and 31-10.50-15s. can't get into 4th around town. it isn't happy below 40, Speed limit 35. looking for an 091 ( 4.56 ) or 002 ( 5.38 )

Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:15 am

Here's a link with some good info on stock gear ratios: http://sandlizrd.baja.com/gears.htm

Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:44 am

ya, lotrat is right. 50 if i was lucky. and forth gear. you'll be asking your self, whats that? and 3rd sometimes.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:19 am

Ok so I'm thinking the freeway flyer advice I got from a local shop may not have come from a place of actual experience. You guys have convinced me to change directions so now let me ask this. Shouuld I just replace my current transmission which I believe to be stock with another stock transmission? Like I said, this car is taking my kids back and forth to school 35 mile roundtrip mostly on the freeway and may seem some occasional trail action but nothing crazy. The car is a swing axle.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 12:36 pm

I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread. However, no reverse gear Baja owners unite! I just lost mine a few months ago and I've been driving my truck until I've had the ambition to do anything about it (plus I don't like to drive the bug with salt on the ground). I'm swapping over to a 002 tranny, running the linkage above the tunnel, converting to rear disc and trying to figure out this Jamar park lock thing (the fittings are odd to say the least, just can't find em).

But like everybody else was saying, taking the transmission out is very simple, and yes, disconnect the CVs and just leave the axles hanging in there. No experience with the Freeway flier, this will be my first tranny other than stock Type 1s.

Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:00 pm

Here is a good link to estimate gearing/tire size to MPH/RPM's. If your not sure what the Ring and Pinion is just check out the transmission sticky, it's tell them in there. Here you go

http://www.et-studios.com/motorsports/gears/gears.html