The std vanagon tranny with the tall 4th (.77) is the same as the 5 speeds
5th gear, but with a lower 1st (many don't even use it) and the 2,3,4 all a
bit taller. I am just reporting what I have heard from others...never having
driven one personally...
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
1-877-377-0773 toll free
425-788-4070
aatransaxle.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: Rebuilding Man. Tranny-Questions regarding taller gears??

> Brian, I'm not really up on the effects of gear changes, but I did do
> some driving in tall country when I lived in NM. I think I would like to
> take a close look at the 5-speed conversion  for a better top end for
> those long flat straight-aways. That would make more sense to me.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL driver
>
>
>
>
>
> Brian Butler wrote:
>
> >I am going to have AA transaxle rebuild my Syncro
> >Trans.
> >I am considering going to a taller 3rd and 4th. Daryl
> >@ AA recommends that I should be OK staying stock.
> >Keep in mind I have 15" wheels and will be going to a
> >taller tire. (Haven't decided what size yet. I still
> >need to find out how big I can go with the STOCK spare
> >tire carrier without having to go with an aftermarket
> >carrier. Any feedback on this is also appreciated).
> >The motor is a 2.1L WB with some upgrades for a bit of
> >additional hp.
> >I currently live in Lake Tahoe and do a lot of high
> >altitude driving and long hill/mountain pass driving.
> >I will soon be moving down to the coast at sea level.
> >I don't know if these points need to be considered or
> >not, but wanted to include them if so. I also do long
> >road trips where long flat stretches of highway are in
> >front of me. (and I would prefer to make them
> >less-long, if possible ;-)
> >I just would like to get some more opinions on the
> >subject of pros/cons of taller gearing before I dump a
> >few grand into the rebuild and possibly regret
> >whatever decision I make regarding the gearing.
> >Thanks in advance,
> >Brian Butler
> >
> >
> >
>