> Robert:  How did you deal with the 5 speed shift linkage differences or were
>  there any?

The only difference is the front mount needs to be shortened by @1.5 inches.
The five speed linkage is different, BUT the four speed will work fine.
Simply push down, move to the left (Like reverse) BUT pull back into first
gear (like the Syncro in low gear).  I have been doing this for over a year
now with no problems.  Once in a while it will get hung up going to second,
but I pull back and move it into second (like a missed shift).  It has become
almost second nature shifting this way.

> Connection to the tranny via ball and socket the same?

All Vanagons have similar shifting mechanisms.

> Tranny mount/nose cone the same?

The front mount needs to be shortened by @1.5 inches to clear the larger
front nosecone. A simple procedure for those that can weld.  Weddle will have
the EXACT amount.

>
>  With AA transaxle, wanting $900 for the rebuild and another $279 each for
>  the better ratio 3rd and 4th gears,

What tranny is this? four speed or five?

I had a .483 with a .70 fifth gear, I went a little tall, but there will be a
lag IF the engines power is not increased (WB hop up or Swapped engine)  BUT
the gearing was too low, 1st gear needed to be shifted out of almost as soon
as I started (second was too tall to take off in) Plus I wanted five speeds.
The .457 tranny is MUCH better all around.  The gearing is close ratio and
BUT makes better use of the engines power band.

The approximate cost will be @$2000

> The SA five speed sounds doable if there  aren't a lot of additional
hassles to deal with.

The only hassles will be money and the front mount.  Aside from that it is a
simple BOLT up, like removing your tranny then putting it back in BUT much
better...

Robert