Hello,

 I have never used German Transaxle, so I have no personal experience to offer. As for AA Transaxle, Matt, Daryl's son, was the main trans builder for quite a while prior to Daryl's passing. Matt built all of my current gearboxes and I couldn't be happier. 

 As for the differential, I am currently running the Peloquin torque biasing diff in the 5 speed that resides in front of my 1.8T powered tin top. I can honestly say that the TBD was a great investment and I would not hesitate to do it again. 

Thanks,
Christopher
www.t3technique.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Don Hanson
Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 6:18 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: AA Transaxle? German Transaxle? also Limited slip options?

Hello All,

   I know that Daryl, the revered transmission Guru whom everyone loved, for his excellent work and his fair prices, I know he passed on recently
and left his business in the hands of his son.    Has anyone had any work
done at AA Transaxle since Daryl's been gone, and how'd it go?
   Specifically, I'm about to have some  overdue work done on my 5sp manual transmission as mounted in my 84 2.0 liter inline VW powered tin top
westie'.   I'm appx an equal distance from Bend, Or or Duval, Wa..     .I'm
about to choose between AA Transaxle and German Transaxle in Bend....I'm seeing a lower price figure from AA Transaxle, slightly....Money is short around here, but I don't wanna have to do this twice....Is the work now being done by AA Transaxle still up to their former quality?

   Second part of my query....How about limited slip options?   I'd love to
install a locker rear end system, but that seems beyond my budget right now.....I hear the clutch pack type limited slips, the least expensive
option(?)  are somewhat 'sticky' and jerky in low speed tight turns....according to a spiel by Go Westy....anyone have an opinion on the relative merits of the two types of LSD's available for our transmissions?

   Thanks, Don Hanson

   Friday-style addendum:

  I'm funding the van's transmission rebuild by selling an old Argosy 26'
trailer...same as Airstream....These trailers are quite similar to our Vanagons in that they are appreciating in value over the years.... because they're so much better than all the other brands....We happily lived, for
 a few years, in this Argosy as we built our house,    Though it was built
in 1974, almost everything still works!  Just like a Vanagon!  Sure, it has no electrical slide-out extra rooms and only one TV....but after 40yrs it is still better than what you might buy new today....just like a Vanagon....(oh, and these Airstream/Argosys are in big demand now, because of their extraordinary build quality)