Daryl, can you give us a gear by gear comparison between the Standard
manual tranny, and the 5 speed manual tranny, beginning with the top
gear and working down through the lower gears. I know this may sound a
little fuzzy, but I'm trying to understand something here.

Standard                               5 Speed
4th gear -                              5th gear
3rd Gear -                            4th gear
2nd Gear                              3rd gear
1st Gear -                             2nd gear
xxx                                        1st Gear.

Do I under stand you that the first gear in the 5 speed is lower than
that in the 4 speed tranny???
I have little use for that low gear now, why would I want with an even
lower gear.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Thanks,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Daryl Christensen wrote:

>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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>