I sent mine to bus depot who uses rancho in California. That was 165,000 miles ago and I am still happy with it. The only thing I didn't like is that they inexplicably painted it black, making it harder to spot leaks (that I haven't had yet). 

Jim

> On Apr 25, 2016, at 1:07 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> I've finally got money saved to have my 5sp tranny rebuilt but I'm
> undecided now about where to send/take it to have the work done...German
> trans in Bend is "quoting" me $1900 with a big core fee, and they want to
> dismantle mine before they will give me an actual estimate on anything...
>    The "other" shop in duval, Wa.  Their starting quote is attractive,
> they're a little further away from me.
> 
>  I'm a bit gun-shy about having a strange business dismantle my
> transmission with a "blank check".... "We'll look at it, and then tell you
> how much it'll cost?". I understand that, but sheesh! .they'd have my
> tranny and they could easily decide to maximize their take ($) with my
> tranny apart and on their bench 200 miles away.
>   Has anyone else had either of these shops do a 5 sp rebuild on a 2wd
> Vanagon transmission?
>    I am hearing whining noise in all gears...no popping out or shifting
> problems with any gears, but this transmission has been getting noisier for
> some time... It's now noticeable louder when I roll down a window....past
> time to have it done.  I want to get the van back...
>  Any experienced 5sp 2wd tranny service feedback for me?  Don Hanson