My Weddle tranny has the 4.57 and the .77 4th gear but stock everything else(did I mention it's a 4 sp.?).  RPM drop between 3>4 is about 1400.  If had to do over, I'd bellied up and put a little taller 3rd gear in it for better passing in the 50-65mph range.  The half lilley motor craves 5k now that it's loosening up a bit.  My wallet doesn't crave the 5k as much.

DM&FS
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gary Stearns 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Friday, September 14, 2001 7:37 AM
  Subject: Re: weddle 5 speed tranny

        We installed the Weddle 5 spd about a month ago. We went with "stock" unchanged ratios.  This only cuts the top gear rpms by a few hundred.  In this config. it's not an "overdrive".  It does however cut the rpm drop between gears alot allowing the engine to stay nearer the peak of it's power curve.  Weddle does have options for a taller 5th gear or taller final drive. Yeah, it is a lot of $, but to me it has been worth it. 

        Gary
        -------Original Message-------

        From: Dart 330
        Date: Friday, September 14, 2001 01:12:58 AM
        To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
        Subject: weddle 5 speed tranny

        >They are available for ballpark $2500 USD from Weddle Industries

        $2500 seems like a lot of money, $1495 sounds alot better. Can anyone
        who has one from weddle let me know if it is worth over half what I
        paid for my Vanagon? I would say at least 75% of my driving is done
        over 60 mph, I would like to improve my mpg and help the engine last
        longer, I guess if you consider engine longevity then a really
        expensive trans is worth it?? I would think lowering rpms by 1k on
        extended trips would help the engine last longer over several thousand
        miles of highway driving.

        Nathan
        85 Westy
        74 Bus

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