Transmissions For Dummies

[darth brian]

Very true. I see an AH trans so indeed it is a 4.12 R&P. The only thing im afraid of is that trans is the same one in my avatar, which sat in a backyard for 20 years just like that. All I did was change the oil and been driving on it for a year! However if it fails I'll probably be looking more into some 6 rib trannys.
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'69 Baja Frankenbug 1500 SP

[jlhoward]

I am new to this so maybe someone can lead me in the right direction...

I am building a rail buggy with a stock 1600 I am running 33 x 12.5 Can someone tell me what gear ratio I need for a transmission or point me to a chart to help me figure out what I need. This buggy is only for road use.

Thank you!

[Bubba & Waynes Drag C]

what is interchangeable between a 3 rib and 5 rib like carrier bearings diff ect.

[ORANGECRUSHer]

Will a 002 (type2) bellhousing always swap over to the 091 6-rib?

I'm looking to buy one and someone is telling me his 3-rib won't work.

I could be wrong but everything I've read so far says it will.

Is there some model that doesn't?
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[gears]

We used to use later 002 bell housings with 091 main cases all the time .. for serious off-road, we'd machine both to fit a strengthening plate:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1105843.jpg
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aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[ORANGECRUSHer]

^ thanks for the response. Ive been doing tons of reading lately and I can say for a fact you know your stuff.

I'm humbled.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[ORANGECRUSHer]

[gears]

OC, the plate is not a simple install. There's a ton of machining and relocating of some of the studs .. probably an all-day affair requiring a Bridgeport and machine tools.

In serious long distance off-road racing, the main case normally expands a tremendous amount (0.5+mm), leaving the diff loosely floating between the side bearings. Some builders will torque the side adjusters dramatically, stretching/preloading the case outward to put them where they should be when the oil heats up to 275+*. (Sometimes the case will crack due to the preloading.)

This steel plate eliminates all that guesswork. Yes, it could go on any Bus Box, 002 onward (091, 091/1, 094, etc). No, I don't do this sort of machine work any longer. That photo is just to get someone else's mind energized in that direction. Oil coolers etc reduce the need for such dramatic measures, but it really depends on application. Some will still need it.
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aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[ORANGECRUSHer]

I keep going around and around reading posts over and over regarding swapping a front sideshift nose cone out for a standard front shift cone. I'm trying to get it straight in my head what parts are neccessary to change out.

Is there anyone who can post up diagrams showing the differences in 002, 091 front shift, and 091 front sideshift design?

This is the best source I've found for the parts diagram found in a front shift 091.
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/091Transmission.html
However, some people say just the cover, H-stick, and ball need change while others say every part up to the main case has to be changed. If the latter is true then why are people trying to tell me it's easier to swap than make sideshift linkage? If I could just see the differences in how the guts are laid out I could make my decision and move on.

This is the 091 I'm interested in talking about
]

Not this

Maybe if someone is feeling really generous they could list or show pics of the parts that need swapping. I think terminology is a real problem regarding parts some times.
Hopefully we can put this to rest and perhaps if I end up swapping I can make a pictoral of the process so there won't be anymore questions.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[ORANGECRUSHer]

Notice similar arrangements on these bearing retainers from Long.
002 lVl-----------------------------------lVl 091 (80-82)sideshift

This is how far I'm going to get clues.
despite the cases being different thicknesses there really isn't a difference in gear carrier layouts despite people who insist it needs to be swapped along with the selector and shift rods. I'm not buying it so far.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[jsturtlebuggy]

Here are a couple of pictures of the differences in the 1/2 and 3/4 shift rails between a front nosecone shifter and a nosecone side shifter.
(Note the nosecone shifter gear carrier is an 002, I don't have a 091 one at the moment)
You can see the differences in their positions. If you have the Bentley manual for 68 to 79 Type II it shows the linkage that is used. The U bracket on the early gear carrier is part of the shift linkage. As you can see there is no bolt holes for mounting it on the nosecone side shifter gear carrier.
Weddle sells the parts you would need to change over to nose cone shifter.
They are not cheap if you are use to paying junkyard prices.
You will also need tools to completely disassemble the transaxle to change out the parts, and a jig to put it back together.
Which ever way you go, I highly recommend the use the mainshaft thrust plate. The nosecone get a lot of wear from the mainshaft bearing. Also the gear carriers wear out where the mainshaft bearing is a press fit and more than then likely will need to be sleeved along with the shift rails holes having bushing installed.
When switch to a nose cone shifting gear carrier, a filler plug hole will have to be drilled and tapped in the side of the trans main case.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[ORANGECRUSHer]

^ thank you.
I wish I had waited a day to see this. I removed my nose cone and found this very thing out.
Problem is - getting the side shift cover back on.
You wouldn't happen to know how that goes do you?
I imagine the set screws on the side of the cover are there for that purpose?
I managed to get mine in position to get bolts back in but now it won't shift.

To sum up in a nut shell for future reference:

If you're thinking about buying a 091 side shift cheap and swapping to a tailshift, you better like wasting money. You will need to replace a lot more than just the cover and hockey stick like some people will mistakenly tell you. I just got a quote on all the parts I'll need which are old used parts and it would cost me roughly $300 after shipping not to mention the tools needed to set it up right. Might as well buy a rebuilt tailshift after you figure in the original cost of the trans.


Just for some perspective, here are some pics of the style trans I have with nosecone removed.

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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[joescoolcustoms]

I agree. Totally different than what I was told several years ago.

But, if I come across the side shifts cheap, I will buy them to have parts for front shift 091's that need repair parts.
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Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race

Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

[jsturtlebuggy]

To reinstall the side shift nosecone/shift housing, easiest way I have found is to put upper shift rail into 4th gear and then to line up the lever in the nosecone with the fork part on the shift rail, cover should move freely into place (flat against gear carrier) and bolted on.
The spring loaded linkage in the nosecone always places shifter into the neutral position between 3rd/4th gears location on the 091 nosecone side shifter trans.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[ORANGECRUSHer]

I managed to get it last night by pushing all the shift rods completely in and then starting with the top rod when lining things up and then manipulating the shift lever by hand to get the other two engaged. Which sound like what you were saying.
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Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja 1835cc

[IslandJP]

Hello all, I have a '73 Type 1 Baja that is running 31 12.50's with Kaddie Shack dual carbs and some other mods. As far as i can tell, the tranny is stock with 3.88's. I mostly run on the beach at low speeds in very soft/deep sand, so I am looking for a tranny or gear swap to help with initial power/torque at lower speeds. Any input or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[jsturtlebuggy]

Island,
What size engine are you using?
How are your mechanical skills and fabrications skills?
There are many ways to go to lower gearing. Some are simpler than others.
Many threads on ways to go.
One way to go is to have your trans rebuilt and have a lower ring & pinion installed. The stock early ratio of many swing axle trans is 4.375. I found a IRS trans with this ratio in a wrecking yard a couple of years ago.
Another way to go is have the aftermarket 4.86 ring & pinion installed in your trans.
There is also going to a Type II IRS trans out of a Bus.
Do some searching here on the Samba and you may find some ideas that will fit your budget for what you are planning on spending.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[johnwesley]

I can't find anything on this tranny code
7031820

http://johnwesley.smugmug.com/Other/bug/29329785_GsnmgK/2967368835_PfzMfgp



Thanks for any help

[joescoolcustoms]

[johnwesley]

Thanks! Is there a site that has that info?