The only thing I know about the 5-speed is what I have seen in my owners
manual. The shift-pattern on the 5-speed and the syncro is the same,
where the syncro's G is in the same position as the 5-speeds 1st, the
syncro's 1st in the same position as the 5-speeds 2nd, and so on. The
shift pattern on the 5-speed is so unusual that I think it is more than
a coincidense that it is the "same" in the syncro. Although I do not
know this, my guess is that the two boxes share the design, and that VW
created the 5-speed from the syncro box, with altered ratios, of course.
As for the difficulties in swapping box, I do not know, as I am a newbie
to vanagons, and have only delt with bugs and type 3s earlier.

Per Lindgren

James J Buchholz jr. wrote:

> So is it possible to order one?  Or smuggle one back in a suit case?
> Would the swap be difficult?
>
> My guesses are no, no, and yes.  Or everyone would have a 5 Speed!
>
> Please tell me what you know,
> jjb