Your auto tranny in stock trim will have no problem allowing the engine to go to 5,200 rpm if the kick down is working. Stock tires and gears you need 3,800 rpm to do 68 mph. A 4,000 rpm tach makes as much sense as a 70 mph speedometer. The 85 mph Speedo's are bad enough. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Rocket J Squirrel
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2011 4:08 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Suitable range for tach?

I'm looking at putting a tach that pegs at 4000 rpm. A list member wrote
to suggest that I should go higher, and I tend to agree with him. But
the VDO family of tachs that I'm looking at (cockpit series) don't have
anything between 4000 and 6000 rpm, and 6000 rpm is silly high for a
stock 1.9l engine.

As I recall, 4000 is pretty much a sweet spot for smooth running of the
engine. Having a tach that goes all the way up to 6000 rpm seems a waste
of the gauge face.

I ask the mechanics on the list: is a 0 - 4000 rpm tach too low?

--
Rocky J Squirrel
'84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
'74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Bend, OR
KG6RCR