There is a commercial project under development on to let well heeled
Vanagon owners put a modified Subaru manual transmission into their
Vanagons. It is intended for vans that have more powerful engines than
stock and is a natural for those that have Subaru conversions. The
project is reaching the point where kits of some sort are expected to be
offered before long.

It involves replacing the Subaru ring and pinion with a custom
aftermarket set that reverses the rotation of the output flanges. This
is needed because the tranny came from a front engine vehicle and
otherwise putting it into a rear engine vehicle results in 1 forward
gear and 5 reverse gears. There is machining work needed in/on the
tranny and a custom linkage setup as well.

It is hoped to be a considerable leap forward in conversion possibilities.

Mark

JRodgers wrote:
> Alright Scott, now you have kicked the cow paddy! I have never seen this
> said on the Vanagon list before. I don't get around the 'Net that much,
> so would like to hear more - and I'm sure others would too.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
> With two 88 GL's yearning for some conversions.
>
>
>
> On 6/29/2012 2:27 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> now there is a close-ratio 'normal' 5 speed that can be installed
>> into vangans,
>> particularily with a subaru engine.
>> That's a 5 speed, ( or even 6 speed ) subaru transaxle with a reversed
>> Ring & Pinion installed in it.
>