Has anyone considered installing early Transporter-style reduction gearboxes at the wheels for our Vanagons? The originals may not be suitable, but the idea should be adaptable, shouldn't it?
  The advantage would be to allow the installation of a COMPLETE later-model drivetrain, not just the engine. A newer-design, overdrive trans would be very welcome, wouldn't it? And it would allow the "pieces" (engine and trans) that started out designed together to stay together