I may have a syncro 5-sp trans in my 84 then, cause it seems to want 'down'
for first and for reverse.  Also, my first is an almost  granny gear...I
hardly ever use it unless I am stopped on a steepish hill and have to start
or if I am on a really rough road and need to go slowly...My first winds-out
at about 10mph,  and it seems like a waste of time to use it during a normal
start..If I do use first to start out. I am shifting about half way
through the intersection after a stop signal...
  Curiosity leads me to ask if there is a way to determine which tranny I
have..a number on the case or something...?

  I guess one of those lable makers might help out "guest-drivers"...Put a
sticker on the dash, "Down for Reverse" maybe
  Don Hanson

On Sat, Dec 19, 2009 at 5:27 PM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:

> Syncro - down for 1 and R
> 5 speed - down for R only
> 4 speed - down for R only
>
> None indicate down on the knob.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> Don Hanson wrote:
>
>>   Sort of on the same subject:  Is the Syncro shift pattern the same as
>> the
>> diesel 5sp and do either of the two have a shift knob with the "Down for
>> Reverse" (and first) marked on the knob?
>>
>>  Reason I ask is the first time I ever drove my 5sp Vanagon, on it's test
>> drive actually, I almost broke the shifter off trying to find reverse
>> gear.
>> I have seen Tire Shop guys also trying to 'muscle' my Van into reverse,
>> too.  Not good for the old linkage parts.
>>
>>    There is no indication on my shift knob that even hints you must push
>> down the shift lever when going for first or reverse, though the knob
>> looks
>> like a stock one.
>>
>> ..................
>>
>