>As far as I know, only 1983 Diesel Vanagons came to the US with 5 speed
>trannys and there are very few of this model Vanagon around. The
>somewhat cumbersome location of 1st gear in this shift pattern makes
>them not for everyone but the close range 3/4/5 gears are a great
>advantage for highway driving, especially in the Diesel models. By far
>the most US Vanagons are 4 speeds but autos are pretty common and more
>common as the model year gets newer. I have looked in person at hundreds
>of Vanagons for sale and only 2 had 5 speeds, both 83 Diesels. The 1983
>Vanagon owners manual lists the 5 speed as the only tranny available in
>that year of Diesel with the 4 speed and auto as the only choices for
>the boxer engines. No mention is made at all of 5 speeds in the 82 and
>84,85,86,87 owners manuals that I have.

Gee, does this mean I can sell my gas 5-speed 094 all the way from here in
NZ? (though it needs a bearing & new 4th & 5th gears).

Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin, New Zealand
VW & mollusc nut
1984 Caravelle (currently SVX engine waiting for a trans)
1985 Mitsubishi Galant Sigma 2.0 (FWD)
1986 CE80 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel
1989 CE96 Toyota Corolla 1.8DX diesel van/wagon
1989 CT170 Toyota Corona Select 2.0 diesel