I just bought a buggy with a 5 rib and super diff. Is it worth putting a good set of weddle gears in or should I build a 6 rib and what is the diffrene?

I'd start accumulating the 091 6-rib and the parts to build it.
In the mean time, run the 5 rib.
Those are a pretty stout tranny with a 4:86 r&p gear ratio.
The 091 has a 4:57 r&p.

_________________
Gary

Turbo VW Sand Racer
Polaris Ranger



"If you don't run into the Devil every once in awhile, you must be going in the same direction!"

Davis Motorsports FaceBook Page

if i had a 5 rib rib i would invest in a good set of gears,its just as strong as the 6 rib after its built

A 5 rib is a great tranny when it is packed full of Weddle gears.

_________________
________________________________

Buy the best and cry once.

The 5-rib has a weaker R&P than a 6-rib does. Not a lot weaker, but some. Also, 6-rib gears are wider than 5-rib gears and are stronger. Again, not a lot, but some. If the R&P is in real good shape in your 5-rib, then with Weddle gears it will still make a great trans.

_________________
In GOD we trust.....ALL others pay cash.

The 5 Rib trany is a very good trany to use for woods buggys, provided you have the power to turn it. With a good super diff it should last a long time (as long as the case is tight). Also, unless you want to change your gear ratio and close them up a little you might be wasting money buying aftermarket gears. The stock VW gears in a 5 Rib are just as strong as any aftermarket gears as long as the locking teeth are not worn. As with all stock bus transaxles the weekest link is reverse followed by the two spider stock differential, next would be first gear and so on. The strongest of the bus tranys is the 091 or 6 Rib trany. It even comes with 9 tooth spiders which are stronger than the 5 rib and three rib, However there is nothing better than a good 4 spider super diff. The best and cheapest way to change gearing on a 6 rib is to just put a lower ring and pinion in them. You can find these ring and pinions at BT Offroad. They specilaize in building transaxles and carry anything for the 6 rib trany. That will make it the same as a 3 rib or 5 rib. All three bus tranys have the same primary gearing. first is 378, second is 206, third is 125, and forth is .98. The only difference is the ring and pinion. The 3 rib has a 543, the 5 rib has a 486, and the 6 rib has a 457 to 1 ring and pinion. I hope this was helpful.

Sincerely, Jim

a 3 rib is not a 5.43 its a 5.38,a 5.43 is a factory replacement for a 5.38 when u tore ur tranny up back in the day,thats what the dealer would more than likely put back in the bus ,they are alot stronger than a 5.38,my tranny is a 5.42,i ordered it from weddle

5.42 is stronger if it's out of a diesel vanagan. 5.42 came in a 3 rib case from Europe they used them in the alps [lower gear] those are less strong 5.38 is stronger

True.. the 5.38 R&P is junk imo, and should only be used in low HP, mild tires, mild driving.

_________________
In GOD we trust.....ALL others pay cash.