Jwilli941 writes:

<< Subj:        Re: [vanagon] Dave Caston's posi trans upgrade question
 Date:  12/27/98 8:17:52 PM Pacific Standard Time
 From:  Jwilli941
 To:    vanagon@onelist.com

 Dave wanted to know......

 << On 85 & up Vanagons:
      Do 5 speeds exist for the two wheelers?>>

 Yes, they do.  Somewhat rare for the States (true 5 speeds-
 not the low 1st gear style 5-speeds) but they are around.
 Ken Wilford did have a couple of brand new South African
 VW 5-speeds last I heard.  He was offering them at a very
 good price to boot.  I understand that you also have to
 retrofit the 5-speed shift linkage as well.  Between the linkage,
 the gearbox, and the labor to install all that I'd guess that you
 would be near $2800-$3000 for this.   But it is a brand new
 transaxle!

 Another route is to slightly change the gearing on your
 existing 4-speed.  I have done this for other VW owner's
 and they where happy with the results.  What is done is to
 try and duplicate the flexibility of the true 5-speed but with
 only 4 gears.  Its not a 5-speed but at less than half the
 cost of retrofitting one in you can see that its a strong
 contender.  The true 5-speed is the way to go, but it can
 be a somewhat expensive proposition.

 <<  If not, does a "posi" upgrade exist for the 4 speed
       transaxles?  If so, from whom? >>

 A couple of options there as well.  The Syncros came with
 a locking diff that was actuated by a switch on the dash.
 I have new 091-1 transaxle maincases that have the mounting
 bosses in place, but not drilled through, for this style of
 locking differential.  During a rebuild this new, stronger alloy,
 maincase can be substituted and a VW factory locking diff
 fitted.  You would have to route the controls to it and rig up
 some sort of switch on the dash but it shouldn't be too
 difficult.  The other option is the Weddle Engr. 'LockRite'
 diff.  This is an addition to the existing open style diff in
 the 091-1s and acts more like a limited slip than a locking
 differential.  (At least from what I have read- I have not
 actually installed one myself)  It would be less expensive
 than to retrofit a factory locker, however, some people who
 have these state that they seem a bit harsh on dry pavement.
 I have driven 4X4s with Detroit Lockers in their diffs and have
 noticed this as well.  From my experience this is due more
 to the design characteristics of limited slip or locking diffs
 rather than something to do with the Vanagon transaxle
 itself.

 -Todd Hill
  VolksWerks Transaxles
  Olympia, WA
  360-412-0948

 PS- See Ken Wilford's site at "members.aol.com/kenwilfy" >>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Perhaps my original reply was lost during the listserv change
over?  If not then just hit the 'delete' key!    //   Todd