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Sat Aug 30, 2003 4:14 pm

I'm not educated on transmissions yet and I have no clue what reduction boxes do, so can anyone let me know? They're on my 59' bus, which has a 67' tranny in it...

Sun Aug 31, 2003 12:43 am

Reduction boxes were made by VW to add torque. They redux the gear ratios at the wheels to provide more torque for the heavier bus. I think they must have been an afterthought of some kind because they could've just make the tranny have different gears, but what do I know. All I know is they add torque by reducing the gear ratios.

Sun Aug 31, 2003 7:32 am

:P Also made it easier for the Early Splittie buses with 25HP and 30HP make it up those German mountains And haul around Heavy loads--
uj, TYWWM

Sun Aug 31, 2003 10:34 am

like said up top it lowers the gear ratio, with a "stock" 67 bignut trans your 59 will cruise 60+mph without overrevving the engine, once you start getting up to about 70 you will notice your rpms will be getting up there, that same trans without the RDX boxes and the ring gear flipped will take your bus to 70+ without over revving the engine.

Sun Aug 31, 2003 2:12 pm

And is that something we could do at home with a straight axle kit and some tools Nick? or does a shop have to do it?

Mon Sep 01, 2003 12:30 am

i wont open up the trans case, but a shop can do it fairly cheap. i was quoted a hour or so to have it done, or you can just get a bug trans.....BUT remember even after the straight axle kit, gear flipped or type1 trans, you still will need the longer axles, and type3 brake hardware.....and you have to find those.

Mon Sep 01, 2003 5:41 am

:D Got that right--NORCAL---Also, ask around from other people in your area , about tranny shops, to make sure you get a good one--Get an Idea, as to the price of the work , before you have them touch your tranny. TWWM

Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:32 am

reduction boxes also provided the HEIGHT needed to equalize the bus with the front suspension, as well as the torque thing. gotta remember that the bus was originally conceived as a work vehicle, so top freeway speeds were not super critical.

Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:21 am

There are also a few options involved with rdx boxes. Some models were equipped with a limited slip diff and alpine gears.
What's nice about them is that when you get on it the rear actually lifts instead of squats, which can be helpful if you drive off of the beaten path.