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Mark Hurner
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2013
Posts: 45
Location: Minnesota
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 Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:44 pm Post subject: Transmission Conversion |
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I'm in need of a new Vanagon, but quite a number of them available have automatic transmissions. All mine have been manual, and I'd like to keep it that way. Any thoughts? Can I convert auto to stick without too much fussing'? Anybody wanna offer their thoughts on the auto transmission?
THANKS!!!! |
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MidwestDrifter
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2012
Posts: 769
Location: Kicking Around Australia
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PDXWesty
Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006
Posts: 6243
Location: Portland OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Feedback also indicates people who have automatics who were skeptical end up loving them (i'm one of those people). It's a very strong transmission with a good reputation. I'd be more concerned about the condition of the van itself than whether it was a stick or auto.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto
Last edited by PDXWesty on Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:52 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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BenT Syncro
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2005
Posts: 1085
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: Transmission Conversion |
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| Mark Hurner wrote: |
I'm in need of a new Vanagon, but quite a number of them available have automatic transmissions. All mine have been manual, and I'd like to keep it that way. Any thoughts? Can I convert auto to stick without too much fussing'? Anybody wanna offer their thoughts on the auto transmission?
THANKS!!!! |
That's going to depend on how handy you are or how thick your wallet. I've done the conversion going the other way.
Offhand, you need trans, pedals, shiftrod, hydraulic lines, master/slave cylinder, axles (auto axles are different lengths), shifter, minor wiring backup light switch (auto has it at shifter/manuals at trans), bypass neutral safety switch, flywheel, clutch parts... that's what I can think of at the moment.
Much easier and cheaper if you have a parts van next to your project.
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BenT |
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Mark Hurner
Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2013
Posts: 45
Location: Minnesota
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a '90 with amanual tranny that I think my insurance co. is going to want to "total" due to an unfortunate encounter recently. |
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Red Beard
Samba Member
Joined: May 09, 2006
Posts: 463
Location: Seattle, WA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Auto rocks. Total cruise mobile. |
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Zeitgeist 13
Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2009
Posts: 12115
Location: Port Manteau
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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If you were closer, we could do a direct swap, as I want to convert from manual to auto
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Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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Phishman068
Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 1867
Location: Pittsburgh PA (ish)
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rubbachicken
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: socal
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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the last one i did took about 2 days
if you have all the stuff, fly me up there, and i'll do it.
pm me if you might be interested and we can talk.
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lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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kirsplat
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2008
Posts: 412
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:40 pm Post subject: |
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The shift governor mod will wake up the wbx and allow it to shift at a more appropriate rpm (4500+), then they are pretty sweet to drive.
I tend to shift them manually if the governors haven't been tinkered with.
_________________
86 Syncro|EJ253|Carat |
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jkidd152
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2009
Posts: 408
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:33 am Post subject: |
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I guess I am the only one is Samba-land who owns an automatic and doesn't love it. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my van. And everything everyone says is true about the ease of cruising around, and being quick off the line. Suby helps that, too  But I have two hands and two feet and my right hand and left foot are bored! What can I say, I like to shift manually. My problem has been trying to decide if going to all the trouble to convert, then should it be just a four-speed, four-speed with peloquin and locker, or go all the way with syncro for that granny gear? My wallet will probably dictate that it has to be option number 1. 
Casey, PM sent. Let's do it!
-John
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'85 Syncro Westy  |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15143
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 7:36 am Post subject: |
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just put 4 different sized & rated tires on the van, you'll get to use both hands plenty then. 
| jkidd152 wrote: |
I guess I am the only one is Samba-land who owns an automatic and doesn't love it. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my van. And everything everyone says is true about the ease of cruising around, and being quick off the line. Suby helps that, too But I have two hands and two feet and my right hand and left foot are bored! What can I say, I like to shift manually. My problem has been trying to decide if going to all the trouble to convert, then should it be just a four-speed, four-speed with peloquin and locker, or go all the way with syncro for that granny gear? My wallet will probably dictate that it has to be option number 1.
Casey, PM sent. Let's do it!
-John |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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