After seeing a thread a couple of weeks ago about South African 5-speed
transmissions, I got to wondering about the interchangeability of the gear
ratios in the Vanagon transmissions in general, particularly the SA 5-spd.

I feel that the G gear in my Syncro is not low enough (numerically) for the
amount of grunt that the engine provides for off-road use.  I also wonder
about the usability of the SA 5-spd in a Syncro.  I e-mailed a couple of
list vendors about this, but got no responses.

Anyone out there know if the SA 5-spd trans is useable in the Syncro?  Is
the 5th gear an OD gear, or does it use a G-gear (1st) for that 5th gear and
a "direct" final drive ratio like the 4-spd?  I'm curious, since I have seen
prices quoted for these transmissions of $2,495 including shipping - about
the cost of a Syncro rebuild...

Brent Christensen
'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
'95 Cherokee Sport