I had 2 syncro transmissions and one front diff done at AA in the last year. No problems. Front diff needed replacement VC. 1 transmission (stock gearing) got a LSD, and fixed 4th gear. 2nd transmission replaced 4th gear (went from 0.70 to 0.77) and a bunch of other repairs to get it fully operational again. I, of course, hit him when he was very busy, so it took a while, but hey that’s why I have multiple Vanagons….

> On Nov 5, 2015, at 9:18 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> 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)