I've been running an Air Cooled 83 Westfalia for seven years (148k)and
I'd say don't waste your money on taller gears. I turn 3300 RPPM at about
68 mph and can make most Texas hills without a gear change and still
maintain speed.
If you're in Atlanta area you've got lots of hills and you need the
standard gearing.
The 2000cc aircooled likes RPM ranges of 2900 to 3500 so this is where
you want to be while on the highway.
If you want a good used 4 speed I've got one that I'll ship freight paid
to you from Dallas for $450.00, It was rebuilt by the PO but I don't know
the mileage it has on it or the rebuilder but I've run it 45K without any
problems.
I also have three other 4 speeds I know to be good because I've run all
of them to test them but they would go for $450.00 + freight.
The reason I'm willing to sell this rebuilt for less is that I've still
got two untested 4 speeds that I need to test out and I'm going to be
pulling the rebuilt anyway to put it in storage.

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia

On Mon, 7 Jan 2002 09:44:44 -0500 Michael Nichols
<msnichols@MINDSPRING.COM> writes:
> Hello from Atlanta, Ga.  I am about to order a rebuilt air cooled
> transaxle,
> and I am considering purchasing the gear modification option of a
> taller 3rd
> or 4th gear---the option that lowers highway-speed rpms and thus
> reportedly
> increases engine life and gives better gas mileage. Questions:  Has
> anyone
> done this modification, and what good or bad results can I expect?
> The
> modification/new gearing seems to add about $250.00 to the cost of
> the
> rebuilt transaxle unit.  Thanks!
>
> Regards,
>
> Michael and Christina Nichols
> 2--'81 air cooleds
>
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