Thing tranny vs. pro-sand/street tranny

markie61 · Post by **markie61** » Tue May 16, 2006 5:38 am

In budgeting for the next year, I am trying to decide what to do about the tranmission on my Thing (a '73 with an IRS.) To those of you who have had experience with them, which would have more strength and reliability: a rebuilt stock Thing tranny (has the "O388" ring and pinion, which I hear is good) or a built-up pro-street/sand tranny?

I do not plan to go off road very often and definitely will not be thrashing off-road when I do. This is not a restoration, but a customization so originality is not an issue. I would choose reliablility over performance but want to take advantage of the new engine. Car has a 1914 w/dual webers like here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=106299 Using slightly oversized (width and profile) wheels and tires.

The ads say that pro-street/sand trannies sell for around $7-800.
I have no idea what it would cost to rebuild my Thing's tranny.

Thanks in advance,
Mark

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Wed May 17, 2006 12:50 am

IMO you are better off getting your own gearbox rebuilt.

For example, your gearbox comes stock with the stronger 9 tooth mainshaft. You don't get that in the Pro-Street gearbox. For that, you have to pay extra.

The P-S has an aftermarket Al side cover. Your Thing gearbox comes stock with VW's die cast Al side cover. IMO that's all you need.

If you rebuild your gearbox, all you need is to replace your stock fine tooth 3rd and 4th gears with coarse tooth gears from a 002 Bus 'box, and add a superdiff. Those two items plus the cost of rebuilding your gearbox will most likely be less than the P-S.

RICKERACER · Post by **RICKERACER** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:29 am

I just crossed this path, and now am second guessing my decision. Could you Trans guys shed some light on the gear ratio aspect of my issue please? My 73 Thing has 31" tires. My goal was to lower my gear ratio to compensate for the tires, all gears, 1st through 4th, make it stronger due to off road use, and install my ZF limited slip diff. Cost was not my main concern, but getting a quality trans that would do the job was. Here is what I got. 3.88 R&p, F+C 3.78 x 2.21 1/2 M.S. set $599 (could be P+C hard to read on recipt) A 1.58 2nd set $199 a 1.04 4th set $199, plus a lot of other stuff as well. All that info is Greek to me. 2 questions, Did I get a lower geared trans compared to a stock Thing trans? What is the stock R&P for a 73 Thing? Thanks for your help.
Rick

RICKERACER · Post by **RICKERACER** » Fri May 19, 2006 5:06 pm

I know your out there, please help. Thanks. Rick

gkeeton · Post by **gkeeton** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 9:14 pm

You got a pretty heavy duty trans!!!! As far as I know Thing Trannies either had a 4.12 r/p, 3.80 1st, 2.06 2nd, 1.26 3rd, .89 4th, or a 3.88 r/p, 3.78 1st, 2.06 2nd, 1.26 3rd, and a .93 4th. Regardless, the trans you got has an aftermarket 1st/2nd gear combo with a lower ratio 2nd. This will be stronger than the stock 1st/2nd combo. The new 3rd and 4th gears are considerably lower than the stock gears, and stronger as well. If you have the 4.12 r/p (usually a dual side cover case), your new trans will be geared slightly lower. If you have the 3.88 r/p trans (usually a single side cover case), your new trans will be geared signifcantly lower. I think the closer ratio gears, along with the ratios all being lower, will make your Thing a lot more fun to drive. It should be pretty bulit proof for durability as well. I think you will like it very much!

Pablo · Post by **Pablo** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 8:45 am

With 31" tires, you may wish to swap someone for the 4.12 (8:33) R&P, which is LOWER than your existing 3.88 (8:31) R&P. Just be sure you swap for the 8:33"O" (very strong), not a 8:33"G" (dime a dozen)

RICKERACER · Post by **RICKERACER** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:28 pm

I ended up going with the 4.12 "O" ring and pinion and 3.78 x 2.21 & 1.58 1.04. Itnis not as "low" geared as I wanted but felt it was a good compromise, plus a ZF limited slip diff.
Thanks, Rick