Im kinda new to vw and im building a buggy. My trans works in all 4 gears and reverse, but while in reverse it makes an aweful popping noise. Guna ride it till it gives but not sure what the best application would be?? The trans thats in it seems to have a really long 2nd gear. I keep seeing 3, 4, or 5 rib trans. can someone please explain what the difference is and how to tell it when looking at one. I am running a 1776 with a small cam and bigger heads, forgive my ignorance but im not sure what exactly is in the motor. Also im curious what i need to convert to long travel suspension. I know ill need trailing arms but not sure what else?? Any input and advise is greatly appreciated!

Depends on your tire size a would say 3 rib.(3 ribs on the trans) the way it was explained to me was the more ribs the less the trans case will flex and break gears. 3 rib 5.38(most likely) 5 n 6rib, 4.56(most likely)

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IF YA CAN'T RUN WITH IT....RUN FROM IT

before you break that trans you have now, try adjusting the shifter either at the trans coupling or at the base of the shifter. That might be your only problem!!

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Maybe you should chug on over to mamby pamby land....

Pics of the different types are here. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143138

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Thanks alot guys!! Is there a difference in the gears? which 1 would be best for a 1776 with 31" tires?

3 rib. i have the same setup. 1776, 3 rib with 31 v treads

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ANTI- antifreeze!!!!!!

3 rib has the lowest gearing which will kill you if you do much hill climbin unless your name is travis lol but I would go with a 5rib thats what I ran with my 1776 for along time and loved it. Theres not much difference between a 5 and a 6rib but the 6rib does have a sronger case better gears but if it was me I would go with 5rib. Dont know if that helped or not but it was worth a try lol

I ran a 3 rib for years with my 1835 and 31inch tires. It was a perfect set-up and very reliable.

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lol what u saying brad that Travis does good with a 3 rib?? lol
Thats what i run is a 3 rib and i really like it i ran a 5 rib for alittle while it was ok.....

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"I got this..."

Haha yep he does do good with a 3rib i ran one for a while but the reason i didnt like it is because i didnt have enough speed in first and didnt have the motor to grab second so thats why i went with a 5rib.

so with a 2007 cc and a five rib do you have enough power to climb in 2nd or stuck with the speed of 1st

Maddog that's sweet, that should b a sticky on transmissions so it's easy to identify your finds.

they say 5 or 6 rib is better but all i ever run is a 3 rib from a 1700cc bus motor to a 1835cc to a 2054cc stroker to a 2180cc stroker motor they work pretty good besides tearing up 1st gear or the carrier every once in while but down here we say you gotta paid if your gonna play so good luck with your buggy ps im running 3 rib with a 2180cc stroker and 36 cut buckshot it does pretty damn good

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if you cant run with the big dogs than slow down and make fun of the little ones

I'd say your pretty much stuck with 1st gear with this combo IMO. Chad

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NOW GAS IT!!!!!

He should be able to grab second travis ran a "1641" with 6rib and was pulling second

With 36 inch tires your getting your gearing back but with 31 v treads you dont get enough speed unless your motor has enough power to pull a hill in second IMO