http://volksweb.relitech.com/helmut/GEARBOX.HTM

John Rodgers wrote:

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