I found a very good demo of manual transmission operation showing the
syncro rings and how they function - something I never knew before -
plus the principles of the whole thing. The instructor uses a full set
of gears mounted so you can see all the action as he goes through it.
It's not a Vanagon manual tranny - but  typical for manual trannies
according to the instructor. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOo3TLgL0kM

John