TheSamba.com :: View topic - Manual Transmission-DK-DP-DT

Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:52 am

Need some help, looking for a DK transmission to buy me some time while I am getting taller gears installed in my original diesel transmission for the TDI. Doing some research it looks like the DK, DP and the DT transmission all have the same final drive of 4.57... so why is the DK the preferred transmission to switch to? Availability? or am I reading something wrong here?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:07 am

Your right. the difference between DK, DP and DT are very similar in gearing. DK and DP are exactly the same in gearing.
Now the DT will have the gear linkage spline coming out of the transmission in a higher spot. It comes out more at the top, than the DK. Never seen a DP but pretty sure it has to be almost exactly the same as the DK. I'm guessing most of the aircooled vanagons came with DK so thats why people always mention that code. Its a direct plug and play into the Diesel vanagons with the diesel bell housing. If you get a transmission that was on a later model made for a gas engine then gear linkage problems are going to be your issue and maybe your transmission mount height. 'Issue' is the word as nearly all of them can be worked around.

Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:07 am

Sorry to hear of your gearbox woes. This link http://www.t3-infos.de/images/T3-Getriebe.pdf has data for every T3 gearbox. The DP had a 40% locker and I don't think I've heard of a DT being available this side ofthe pond.
Be aware too that the shift rod attachment is located in a different place on the DK than it is on the latter gearboxes.

Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:10 am

So if the DT comes out of the higher spot it might work better for my application. The transmission in the Doka is a stock diesel transmission from 1988. It seems like the shifter is higher up on mine....

Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:18 am

DK transmission linkage spline comes out of the bottom with the two ball lever

What code is your original?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:39 am

The 80-83 DK has the wrong linkage type for your 88.

The DK was used in aircooled vanagons from 80-83. In North America the most common diesel Vanagon by far was 82 and it used the same linkage type as the aircooled vans so the taller geared DK became the obvious choice for 82 diesel vans that got more powerful engine swaps. Diesel vans after 82 used the later style linkage and putting a DK into one of those 83+ vans means adapting the linkage.

Mark

strawhouse wrote: So if the DT comes out of the higher spot it might work better for my application. The transmission in the Doka is a stock diesel transmission from 1988. It seems like the shifter is higher up on mine....

Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:45 am

Is the shifter location different on a DT or a DP transmission?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:05 am

The DT uses the same linkage as your 88 and any waterboxer.

The DP uses the 80-83 aircooled style linkage, and 81/82 diesel.

Mark

strawhouse wrote: Is the shifter location different on a DT or a DP transmission?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:35 am

So in an ideal world the DT is the transmission to use... I guess the availability is the issue?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:10 pm

Since I plan on installing a later gas 5spd trans into my '82 diesel chasis along with other later systems can I be reasonably assured the later linkage can be easily adapted to the '82?

Hans

Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:30 pm

The 5 speed uses a different knob/lever, front shift box/guides, front shift rod than do any of the 4 speeds.

The 5 speed is longer than the 4 speed. When they came out with the longer 5 speed VW began building all the front radiator cooled vans with the engines pushed back closer to the rear bumper to make room for the longer 5 speed. They did this even in 4 speed vans so they could use the same hoses, cables, and pipes, linkage no matter which length tranny was installed. 82 diesel vans have the engine in the early position, closer to the front of the van.

There is more that can be said and things that can/must be done to make it work well. You may have a tough row to hoe if you were thinking you could simply bolt it into place in an 82 diesel. It came as a common option with 83 diesel vans so the various different parts from an 83 diesel van would make it a bolt in if you got them all. Otherwise you will need to fuss, fiddle, and fabricate.

Mark

hdenter wrote: Since I plan on installing a later gas 5spd trans into my '82 diesel chasis along with other later systems can I be reasonably assured the later linkage can be easily adapted to the '82?

Hans

Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:48 pm

Is the frame member that the front trans mount bolts to
in a different position than the later models? I have a complete '85 weekender that is already set up with a 5speed trans to cannibalize. The '85 just has too much seam and window rust to be worth while to repair. The '82 chasis is rust free and registered. So, I can play with my turbo charged 1.9 ideas or go H6 and not worry about the smog nazis here in CA. Heaven forbid that I put in a cleaner burning and more fuel efficient engine/trans with Cat. than what originally came in '85.

Hans

Fri Feb 21, 2014 4:52 pm

The frame rail is the same. The '82 engine carrier bars are different and place the engine approx 1.5" closer to the front of the van. If your '85 is a WBX then you will still need to source the '83+ carrier bars if installing an inline-4.

Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:16 pm

No I4. Trying to add a turbo and megasquirt to stock 1.9wbx and try it with a 2.1 longblock I also have. Then, If I can't achieve my goal of 130-150hp and an average of 24mpg on mixed city/hwy driving I might move on to subbie power. In the mean time I will start with wbx engines.

Hans

Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:48 pm

Does anyone know what year and engine used the DT transmission?

Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:50 pm

Or bite the bullet and move to a modern cable shift mechanism. http://www.cableshift.com/home.html
I'm retrofitting my military diesel van (originally 1.7na and 4 speed) with an AHU and ASS 5 speed. Haven't hooked up the shifter yet - I have a set of 5 speed diesel shifter rods as well - but when i do, if I have to fiddle and fart around for more than a day, I'm going to seriously consider a cable shift system, just for the crisp feel and surety of shifts.

Fri Feb 21, 2014 5:55 pm

I have an ASS, too, as well as an APP. Depending on what tires I deside to run I will hoose which trans to work with. If only I could afford a 4.14 ring...

Hans

Fri Feb 21, 2014 6:27 pm

strawhouse wrote: Does anyone know what year and engine used the DT transmission?

Its on the spread sheet link that I sent above.

Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:10 pm

I know this thread is a bit old but I thought I would post an update. I found a DT transmission and installed it into the doka today. The transmission is a complete bolt in, no modification required install ( less cutting back the input shaft ) The shift linkage hooked up and it shifts fine. Once I get the last few things finished I will let you guys know how the gearing is on the highway

Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:44 am

Hi all, we own a once air-cooled 1981 Westfalia now powered with a 1.8 Audi engine. We are planning to swap our DK transmission with a 5-gear 40% LSD AAS transmission. Our engine seems to not produce enough torque for 32:7 gear and the new transmission has 29:6, we hope to get a bit more speed uphill and reduce the frequent stuck in sand/meud when we get off the road by LSD. Any comments, do you think we can go for it?