Likely it's a 4 speed ( or could be auto trans ) common waterboxer vanagon.

usually ....any 5 speed lasts about a week max in a junkyard.
I wouldn't get all excited ....
chances are very high that it's a common 4 speed.

You also need the entire shift linkage with it, from shift knob to trans, if
you score a rare 5 speed trans.
and ..
oddly ...they drop right into a 2WD  4 speed waterboxer vanagon ( 83 and
later ) ..
but do not just 'fall into' an 82 4 speed diesel vanagon.

it's been asked a million times, about putting the 5 speed into an 82 DV ..
it can be done, but it's not a simple bolt-in.
But it is if the van is a 2WD waterboxer.

furthermore ..
the 5 speed IS better..no doubt about it.
but it is not what you'd expect..
it's not a close ration 5 speed quite..
with first forward and left as would be normal.

1st is an odd back/down/left ....
and is unusually low ..so it's like half a granny, out of the regular
pattern.

so you start out in 2nd whenever you can ..and you still drive it like a 4
speed.
2nd is forward and left as is normal for the first gear you usually start
out with.
It's like a 'slightly high' first.

the real beauty is..
you have 3 ratio's between about 35mph and top speed..
where in a four speed you only have 2 ratio's there.

and the half-granny low first is handly sometimes.
The shift from   1st to 2nd is an 'odd dogleg around.' ..not a fast easy
smooth direct shift .

so it IS better for sure .
just not quite what the original poster probably envisions.
You always want one though ..if one comes along and fits into your 2WD
vanagon without a lot of hassle.

since Syncro  transmission was mentioned..
one thing people do with 2WD transmissions sometimes is use a syncro housing
with differential lock in it.
that way you can have 2WD with locking rear differential, which can really
help in some situations.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "ralph meyermann" <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: 5 speed transmission

> Ok cause there's an 83-84 at my local u pull it and I forgot to check I
> thought the later ones had them it has the round headlights 7 passenger
> and
> is mostly there Ill check for the 5 speed thanks
>
> On Jul 19, 2011 10:51 AM, "mark drillock" <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
> In USA/CA model Vanagons only the 1983 diesel vans got the 5 speed. The
> rest
> of the world had them from 1983 on, as options.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
>
> ralph meyermann wrote:
>>
>> When did vw start using 5 speed transmissions?
>>