My friend wants to buy a 3 rib. I know there are two different types. One has nuts around the cv cups and the other has the plastic lock ring with 2 screws around the cv cups. What trans would be the better choice.

He already has the older one with the nuts around the cv cup and he wiped out the ring and pinion. I gave him one of my parts 3 rib with a good pinion and diff with matching numbers. The guy he gave it to, to have it rebuilt, said the pinion bearing is shot on the older 3 rib and the newer pinion shaft and bearing won

The trans with the two mounting boss's on top of the bell housing is the better one.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

There are 3 versions of the 3 rib.
First is the acorn nut version early '68.
Next is a 3 rib that came in late '68 to '71 buses.
If it hadn't been molested, it usually had the smooth bell housing and was used with a Beetle style engine.
Last version was the one Odyknuck described.
Had the mounting bosses on the bell housing to support the pancake style T-2/T-4 engine.
Long spline, stronger 1/2 gear set. Best of the 3 rib bunch.

This is a good thread from TOS to differentiate most VW transmissions.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143138

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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

Ok the one he has has the acorn nuts around the cv cups and has 3 bolts holding the pinion in. Anyone have a bearing for this style?

Don't have any new ones on the shelf but this is the part number.
002 311 219 plain.
No letter after the number.
Fits early 68 to 7/69 T-2 trannys.

Might have a used one, have to check.

_________________
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

[quote='hillaholic']Ok the one he has has the acorn nuts around the cv cups and has 3 bolts holding the pinion in. Anyone have a bearing for this style?[/quote]

These have a MUCH weaker pinion bearing setup as well as the diff bearing cups. (cup holders are usually cracked at the base) IMO, these are only good for mild trail riding. If the R&P is still good in yours, then you might consider swapping it into another case.
ALL 3-ribs have a fairly weak R&P but these are eve