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E_Ram Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2025 Posts: 2 Location: Maryland
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 8:56 am Post subject: 87 Vanagon. Need help with transmission! |
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I bought a 1987 Vanagon, but it didn't have an engine or transmission. I have come to the conclusion that it was the Automatic 3-speed "090". I was hoping everyone here would be able to point me to a good place to either purchase a used 090 transmission OR suggest a different brand transmission to mock up and fit. (I know some people have done the manual Subaru trans). |
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jlrftype7 Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018 Posts: 4520 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 1:52 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Vanagon. Need help with transmission! |
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Way Out Salvage in Arkansas is where I recently bought a complete Automatic Transaxle for our '84 Vanagon. Derrick, the owner of the place, was advertising here in the Samba Classifieds that he had a few more for sale.
I'll look up the AD and see if it's still running.
Shipping due to weight will be your added cost. We're in Chicago, so not as bad as it could have been. UPDATE- here's the link to his AD. I can't tell exactly if he has 1 water cooled Trans left, and 2 air cooled versions, or what- but call him/contact him if you want. Otherwise, you hunt around here on Samba with other sellers.
You can always go with a swap to a Manual if you want, but then you need a lot more parts than your stock version to do that. The Air Cooled Versions that Derrick has would work with a Water Boxer engine, and probably behind a Subaru engine as well, but won't have the ports in the front /oil pump end of the Transmission for a stock Trans Fluid cooler set-up.
You CAN drill the holes for adding the ports, it's safest to disassemble the transmission and get the oil pump fully out of the case before doing that.
There are several coolers that people are using.
I run with the Gowesty version from a few years ago. Others use a version with a Fan to really assist in cooling as needed.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2704301 _________________ '68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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jimf909 Samba Member

Joined: April 03, 2014 Posts: 8163 Location: WA/ID
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Vanagon. Need help with transmission! |
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I've alway had a manual transmission in my Vanagons but people here love their automatics.
Here are a few relevant threads:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7888739 _________________ - Jim
Butcher wrote: |
This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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vanis13 Samba Member

Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 4379 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 3:15 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Vanagon. Need help with transmission! |
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If you don't have a engine or transmission consider a Subaru engine with a Subaru transmission the automatic Subaru would probably be the easiest _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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space Samba Member
Joined: November 19, 2017 Posts: 809
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: 87 Vanagon. Need help with transmission! |
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I might have a trans available after May _________________ 82 westy
w:
2.5 JDM Subie
Rear discs |
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