I've done one in about 2.5 hours with son helping from start to driving down
the road*. Than included removing one CV bolt with a grinder. 22 bolts out
and in.  Disconnect and reconnect 2 wires. All done.

* Promptly left on a 4k mile road trip.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: John Jensen
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 1:35 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: [VANAGON] Transmission QuickChange

Oh!  I just went out and pulled my spare transmissions from my parts pile.
I forgot completely about the clutch, the starter and the CV joins and
axles.
I knew there was a reason I was putting this off till I could do a
complete job of it.

"This list has done itself proud once again, by discussing the topic
fully and sharing knowledge and information.
My decision making about my upcoming trip isn't any easier than at the
outset, but at least I'm better informed.
In my case the issue of the damage to the transmission isn't such a big
deal because the bad one isn't the one I
would re-build in any case.  Just another small question to the
experienced members in this group.  How much time
would you budget to swap out the tranny by yourself, sitting in the
driveway...I'm thinking it shouldn't be too hard.  Just block up the
engine,
disconnect the linkage and undo the four bolts to the engine and lower
it down  with a floor jack. (three hours Max).
Put in the replacement and adjust the linkage...Five hour max.  So a
busy day...two if things get weird.  Reasonable??
Could probably do the whole thing in two hours if things went smoothly.
Shame not to do the clutch and flywheel at the
same time, but skipping  that. "

John Jensen
johnjensen@johnjensenartist.com
http://www.johnjensenartist.com
bluesbug@verizon.net