What is the best transmission for a Vanagon?:vw:

ebennett

What are the different transmission in a Vanagon?

I have a 1985 Vanagon, I am going to do a Tiico kit and figure I might as well upgrade my trans cuz third gear likes to "crunch!!"

86 and up gasoline is 4 speed with a larger clutch and fly wheel?

Diesel is the only 5 speed?

Most Vanagons have a top speed of 130 mph? Laughing

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allsierra123 · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject:

I like the auto trans myself. would probably rev too high on a tiico motor though.
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D Clymer · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject:

With manual transmissions there really isn't much to choose from. They are all 4 speeds and the 1st-4th gear ratios are pretty much the same. The air cooled vans had a taller 4.57:1 final drive. Wasserboxer vans are actually geared a bit shorter with a 4.86:1 final drive.

The perfect setup for a moderately powered van would be to use a 4.57:1 final drive and stock 1st-3rd gears, and then use a taller .82 4th. There are taller 4ths, but you don't want to go too tall.

David

kayakwesty · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:32 pm Post subject:

JunkYarDog · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject:

snoop · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject:

I like my 5.43:1 R&P (with TBD) with a 0.70 5th gear and 28" diameter 215/70/16 BFGs. A lot.
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D Clymer · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:58 pm Post subject:

Yes, you can import a european 5 speed, and they have great highway ratios. I would like to have one since my Vanagon gets used for trips. One thing to keep in mind about these is that they all have a 4.11:1 1st gear as opposed to the 3.78:1 1st in a 4 speed. This makes an already low geared van even lower geared - which I don't think is ideal for around town driving. You really can't get the best of both worlds with Vanagon transmissions. Either a 4 speed which has great in town ratios, or a 5 speed with an awkward to engage 1st, geared too low, and three great highway gears. I guess it all comes down to where your van spends most of its time.

David

snoop · Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject:

With all the respect due to D Clymer, the liabilities of the 5-speed that he refers to, a low 1st gear and an awkward 1st gear engagement, go away with bigger tires in the case of the former and you get used to it in the case of the latter. For me, the low 1st gear is an asset, great off-road, and the range of gears is advantageous in all sorts of situations, both on and off-road. The tall 5th gear is saahhweeet when it's time to make the asphalt ribbon disappear under your tires.
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Mikees86TransSyncro · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:48 am Post subject:

[quote="westysapien"]... the liabilities of the 5-speed that he refers to, a low 1st gear and an awkward 1st gear engagement, go away with bigger tires in the case of the former and you get used to it in the case of the latter. ...quote]

Absolutely -

I have taller mudders on my Doka - And I use all 5 gears, all the time.
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D Clymer · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:37 am Post subject:

Yes, I am coming from a somewhat different perspective since I work mostly with Carat style vans and like to keep the tire diameter close to stock. The vans I build run 215/60/15 or 215/55/16 tires for a street smart appearance. Glad to hear the first gear linkage gets better with familiarity.

David

psych-illogical · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:03 pm Post subject:

I'd sure like to see someone out there come up with a table that lists Vanagon transmissions by number, type, final drive and gear ratios. It gets kinda confusing. I've been led to understand that there are actually a few different 5 speed options out there and that they're not all the same. I'd sure like to be able to get them all straight. I understand that the 5 speeds are different for Syncro, 2WD, and diesel and that there are even a couple of options for the 2WD vanagon. One with a lower range first and a normal 5th and one with and a normal first but an overdrive 5th?

On a related note; kayakwesty, how difficult was your 'upgrade?' I've actually become a big fan of automatics in recent years (combination old age/laziness). The last truck I bought (2000 GMC, purchased new) I opted for an auto and I just loved it. Worked great and really saved my left leg when driving in town. Towed with it and generally worked it hard. This is bordering on a serious threadjacking offense so could you PM me? I'm kinda intrigued.
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kayakwesty · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject:


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