Tony,
Both the 4-speed and the 5-speed actually have an overdrive top gear
(anything taller than 1.00:1 is considered overdrive).

This point aside, the fact that the factory 5-speed is a close ratio box is
what makes it great. You always have the right gear for pulling a hill - no
screaming the motor in 2nd so you can shift into 3rd, only to find that you
can't really pull 3rd, or screaming the motor in 3rd up a long grade because
you don't have the oomph to get into 4th and keep up with traffic. The
5-speed really helps in these situations. And for those who want to reduce
highway rpm, we have taller 5th gears and taller r&ps available. Below is
the standard info we e-mail our customers who are interested in a 5-speed
trans for their Vanagon:

The standard Vanagon 5-speed transaxle ratios are 4.86 or 4.83 ring & pinion
with 4.11/2.33/1.48/1.02/.82 1st through 5th gears. If you are interested in
reducing highway cruising rpm, we offer a taller ring & pinion ratio (4.57)
and/or taller 5th gear (.77 or .70). A standard 5-speed trans, rebuilt to
our exacting standards with a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty is $1995
outright. If you would like to trade in your 4-speed transaxle as a "core",
we can reduce the price of the 5-speed trans to $1695. Upgrading the ring &
pinion to the 4.57 ratio would be $295 extra. The taller 5th gear ratio
would be $195 extra.

In order to install the 5-speed Vanagon trans, you will need a special front
mount ($65) and, as an option, you might want to upgrade to the factory
5-speed shift linkage ($285).

For comparison, here is some information on the 1984+ Vanagon 4-speed
transaxle: The standard 4-speed ratios are 4.86 or 4.83 ring & pinion with
3.78/2.06/1.23/0.85 1st through 4th gears. If you are interested in reducing
highway cruising rpm in your 4-speed trans, we offer a taller ring & pinion
ratio (4.57) and/or taller 3rd and 4th gears (1.17 or 1.14 3rd gear and .82,
.77, or .70 4th gear). A standard 4-speed trans, rebuilt with a 2-year
unlimited mileage warranty is $1095 plus a $400 core charge. Upgrading the
ring & pinion to the 4.57 ratio would be $145 extra. The taller 3rd or 4th
gear ratios are $195 each.

Regards,

Chris Weddle
Weddle Industries
700 Becknell Rd, Unit A
Goleta, CA 93117 USA
(805) 696-9665
Fax (805) 696-9667
info@2weddle.com

> From: "Smola, Tony" <TSmola@TRIBUNE.COM>
> Reply-To: "Smola, Tony" <TSmola@TRIBUNE.COM>
> Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2002 18:55:14 -0600
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 5 speed trannys
>
> Remember, the 5 speeds sold everywhere else but in the U.S. were not over
> drive 5-speeds, but rather close-ratio trannys
>
> The ideal would be to have an overdrive with a motor which could handle
> it......Tiico or I-4, I-5?......Porsche Boxter?.................Hmmmmmm?
>
> Malibu Tony
> 85' westy
> 78 911SC
>
>
>
>
> Date:    Sun, 13 Jan 2002 14:27:48 +1200
> From:    Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@STONEBOW.OTAGO.AC.NZ>
> Subject: Re: 5 speed tranny
>
>> I have one in my '88 now.  VW never officially sold 5 speeds in gas powered
>> vans,
>
> You mean not in USA (and maybe Canada). Everywhere else got gas 5-speeds.
> --
> Andrew Grebneff
> 165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
> <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut
> Friends don't let friends do Windows