Try calling Jeff at VanagonParts.com    916.997.4050
vanagonparts.com

If he has a good used one, drive your Westy up there to pick it up.
On your way back from Sacramento, stop by at Harbor Freight and pick
up a transmission jack adaptor for your garage jack.  Swap the tranny.
 It's not that easy.  It took me a few weeks.  The transmission jack
adaptor is the key.

Where in the SF Bay area are you?

There's probably a place on the Internet to get rebuilt ones.  For
example, JustVeeDubs has the transaxle (transmission plus final drive)
for $1042 plus shipping (exchange, so both ways).
http://www.justveedubs.com/vwtransmission.php?s_pcat=&s_vmdl=&Formcataloggrid_Page=2&PHPSESSID=db2deb641204f70e712810d1e010327b#cataloggrid

Even if you pay a mechanic to install it, the cost should be about 8
hours???  (I'm guessing)

The mechanic you took it to just seems way to $$$high$$$

-- Craig

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 14:36:44 -0700, Tom LaLanne <lalanne@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>     I know this subject has been discussed often in the past, but I've still not really figured out how to access the archives.  The auto tranny on my '86 Westy is on its last legs.  Does anyone have good sources for used or rebuilt transmissions?  I live in the SF bay area.  My first conversation with an auto transmissions specialist was somewhat unsettling.  He estimated that a rebuilt transmission will be $3,000 plus installation costs.  Somehow, I'd like to think I can have this repair done for less money than that.  Any help will be appreciated.
> Tom LaLanne
>