s_walker@MINDSPRING.COM writes:

<< 1. Does the DZ transmission have a 5.86 or a 5.43 final drive? >>

The following is AFAIK kinda stuff.....

The DZ's were U.S. market diesel transaxles that came with a
5.86 ring and pinion set.  Because of that, Helmut's list does not
have this particular listing.  (Even so, it's still a very good list!)

With some swapping about and minor modifications, all '68 to
'83 aircooled transaxle's internals are fairly interchangeable.
If your diesel trans has a 5.43 (5.425) set in it, I would bet that
it came from a '68-'74 002 gearbox.  Originally, those years
came with a 7 tooth 5.375 ring and pinion set that gave VW
grief.  That set was superseded by the 8 tooth 5.425 set and
about 1/3rd of the early cores I get have the replacement ring
and pinion already installed.  If you look closely at the diesel
transaxle you'll see that the maincase is actually a pre-'74
002 housing with a 091 bellhousing, aircooled '80-'83 091 gear
carrier housing, and a 091 nosecone.  The aircooled gasoline
powered '80-'83 Vanagons transaxle maincase is a true 091
housing and is much more 'beefy' looking.  I believe that Tom
Carrington's webpage has side by side photos??  The 1st-4th
ratios are pretty much the same in all the transaxles, again,
with minor differences.  The aircooled Vanagon trans does come
with the 4.57 ring and pinion set and is the ticket for converted
diesel Vanagons.  One of our listee's up in Nova Scotia purchased
a rebuilt gas engine trans from me (really helping me out, BTW,
as the original customer flaked out ) and is very pleased with the
improved performance.  I am not sure of the tire size that he is using,
however.

Good luck!

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