Derek Drew's "How To Select Gear

Ratios For VW Syncro (T3,

Transporter, Vanagon) 1996-1992"

Instructions: To use this chart look up the revolutions per mile given to you by your tire manufacturer at a given miles per h

to you to make sure it is a legitimate number. Then look down column K to find that revolutions per mile and find the equivalent
Once you have that number, input it in the row 9, column D. You can cheat by looking up the revolutions per mile number for th
will be less accurate. Next, input your ring and pinion ratio in row 8, Column G. For syncro, that ratio can be one of these only (5
in North America most likely you have 4.86 to start and if in South Africa then most likely you have 5.42. Changing to 6.17 has d
consider that in conjunction with the switch to larger diameter tires. In row 19, column D, you can enter either 1.88 or 2.06 only.
1.88 there is expensive because you have to change the mainshaft to change to 1.88.

Enter any number you want in row 19, columns e and f. For most users, start by making 4th gear between 70mph and 75mph a
you want to have more ultimate top speed (75mph) or whether you want to go up hills faster (70mph). In general, it is good to s
can get them by changing the ring and pinion ratio to 6.17 at row 8, column G, and then set 4th gear, and then set 2nd and 3rd
OEM setup. The OEM setup for 2.1 litre motors (MV, WBX 2.1L Digifant) at 4,000 rpm is documented in row 20. After you kno
derekdrew@rcn.com and I can help review your chart and also obtain the gears. When you are done, eyeball the difference be
sure nothing seems too out of whack.

The most readily obtainable 3rd gears to input into row 19 and column E are 1.08, 1.14, and 1.17 and 1.225 is generally stock.
readily available 4th gears to input into row 19, column F are 0.70, 0.77, 0.82, and 0.85 (which last ratio is stock.) We also have
0.75s available temporarily. You can make any other ratio for 3rd and 4th you want if you are willing to wait about six months. T
by Tim Smith, Derek Drew, et. Al. and was substantially revised in May of 2003 by Derek Drew to simplify its use as a gear sele
derekdrew@rcn.com
Gearing advice here assumes you have a 2.1 litre WBX motor. Powerful
diesels can use lower ring and pinion ratios than WBX. Powerful gasoline
engines (Subaru, Audi, 3.2L WBX) can let 4th gear drift to the slightly higher
than the recommended maximum number for row 30, column F of 75mph.
Tire Circ.
6.75 ft
Diam. From Column L

RPM

Granny
6.03

First
3.78

OEM At
4,000 RPM
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3200
3500

10.0
0.00
1.17
2.35
3.52
4.70
5.87
7.04
7.51
8.22

15.9
0.00
1.87
3.74
5.62
7.49
9.36
11.23
11.98
13.11

R&P ratio
5.42

25.79 in
Gear Ratio
Second
Third
1.88
1.080

29.3
0.00
3.76
7.53
11.29
15.06
18.82
22.59
24.10
26.35

49.2
0.00
6.55
13.11
19.66
26.21
32.77
39.32
41.94
45.88

Fourth
0.85

Reverse
6.03

70.9
0.00
8.33
16.65
24.98
33.31
41.64
49.96
53.29
58.29

10.0
0.00
1.17
2.35
3.52
4.70
5.87
7.04
7.51
8.22

4000
4200
4500
5000
5200
5500
6000
6500
7000

9.39
9.86
10.56
11.74
12.21
12.91
14.09
15.26
16.43

14.98
15.73
16.85
18.72
19.47
20.60
22.47
24.34
26.21

30.12
31.62
33.88
37.65
39.15
41.41
45.18
48.94
52.71

52.43
55.05
58.98
65.54
68.16
72.09
78.64
85.20
91.75

66.62
69.95
74.94
83.27
86.60
91.60
99.92
108.25
116.58

9.39
9.86
10.56
11.74
12.21
12.91
14.09
15.26
16.43

Make this number as low as possible by inputting a ring and pinion ratio at row 8, column G.

Make this number 70-75 depending on whether you want more ultimate top speed
(75) or to be able to go up steep hills better (70).

Make this number near to the OEM number of about 49-50mph. Not a critical number!

Experiment with this number so that it comes closest to the OEM 29.3mph by
inputting 1.88 or 2.06 at row 19, column D. If you are not a lot better off with the
1.88, then you can sometimes save $$ by sticking with your OEM 2.06.

our tire manufacturer at a given miles per hour. Make sure a MPH figure is given
revolutions per mile and find the equivalent "effective tire height" in column L.
g up the revolutions per mile number for the tire sizes in column J but doing that
yncro, that ratio can be one of these only (5.43, 4.86, 5.83, 4.57, 6.17). If you are
kely you have 5.42. Changing to 6.17 has definite advantages for syncro so
n D, you can enter either 1.88 or 2.06 only. Likely you have 2.06 now. Entering
8.

Start Here

king 4th gear between 70mph and 75mph at 4,000 rpm, depending on whether
s faster (70mph). In general, it is good to shove G and 1st down as low as you
hen set 4th gear, and then set 2nd and 3rd as close as you can to the factory
pm is documented in row 20. After you know what Gears you want, email me at
hen you are done, eyeball the difference between row 20 and row 30 to make

14, and 1.17 and 1.225 is generally stock. The most

85 (which last ratio is stock.) We also have some
you are willing to wait about six months. This chart is
erek Drew to simplify its use as a gear selector tool.

Cheat column for those too

lazy to find out the revs per
mile of their tires. (you lazy
bumb!)

Typical Tire Sizes For This

Revs Per Mile

Rev. Per Mile

782.0

205/70/14
195/75/14 or 205/70/14
195/75R14
195R14
27x8.50/14 or 225/70/14
195/75/15

Compare row at left with your selections

below in row 30 to see how close you can get
and if you differe know why you are doing
that.
215/75r15

~idle
215/70r16

Green on Tach

235/75/15
225/70r16

PEAK TORQUE

Equivalency Key (Input

Result From Column L In
Space D9)
Revolutions Per Mile Of
Your Intended Tire (check
with your tire
manufacturer!)
836
819
811
797
782
765
755

750
748
747
746
744
743
739
730
725
723

Effective top speed for WBX 2.1

Green on Tach

225/75r16

721
719
717
715
714
712
711
710
709
708
707

30x9.50/15

706

245/70/16

705
700
691
685
684
682

245/75R16

680
675
673
668
660
657
656
655

235/85/16

654
653
650
647

235/75r15
235/70/16

Redline

at row 8, column G.

Try to start here and not here.

Effective Tire Height

(Actual tire height is
usually about 1" taller
than this).
24.12
24.62
24.87
25.31
25.79
26.36
26.71

26.89
26.96
27
27.03
27.11
27.15
27.29
27.63
27.82
27.89

27.97
28.05
28.13
28.21
28.25
28.33
28.36
28.41
28.45
28.49
28.53
28.57
Note that this is the
largest advisable tire
height for syncro
without changing
your trailing arms to
28.61 16" type.
28.81
29.19
29.44
29.49
29.57
Note that this is the
largest advisable tire
29.66 height for syncro.
29.88
29.97
30.19
30.56
30.7
30.74
30.79
Note that the tire at
right does not really
fit in the syncro
although some have
30.84 forced the issue.
30.89
31.03
31.17

Rev/

Tire Size

Inflated

Mile

Tires Are Almost

All Light Truck
(LT)

Dimensions

Inflated
Dimensio
ns

Overall
Width
(Inches)

Overall
Diameter
(Inches)

Tire Name

Rim
Width
Appr.
(Inches)

Yokahama
GelanderAT
*215/85R16

5.5-7.0
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

647

7.50R16

8.7

32.1

5.5-7.0
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

650

235/85R16

9.3

31.9

6.0-7.0
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

650

235/85R16

9.3

31.9

650

7.50R16

9.1

31.9

653

235/85R16

9.4

31.8

652

7.50R16

--

31.6

654

235/85/16

9.3

31.8

654

7.50R16

--

32.1

654

235/85R16

9.4

31.8

654

235/85R16

9.6

31.7

235/85R16

9.29

31.9

655

7.50R16

8.7

31.8

656

235/85R16

9.3

31.7

657

235/85R16

9.3

31.7

660

235/85R16

9.3

31.7

654

6.0-7.0
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Pirelli Scorpian
A/T
Michelin (exact
tire unknown)
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO
Land Rover
Tires; exact tire
unknown
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer ST
Dayton
Timberline A/T
Dayton
Timberline A/T
Dayton
Timberline A/T
Yokahama
GelanderAT

5.50 - 7.00
6.0 - 7.0
--

5.5-7.0
6.00 - 7.00
6.00 - 7.00
6.00 - 7.00
(6.0) 5.5-7.0
(6.0) 6.0-7.0
(6.5) 6.0-7.0

6.0-7.0

668

235/85/16

9.2

31.8

673

7.50/16

8.9

31.7

673

235/75R15

9.3

28.9

675

245/75R16

9.4

30.7

675

245/75R16

9.4

30.7

Dunlop Radial
Rover RT
Dunlop Radial
Rover RT
Pirelli Scorpian
A/T
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer LT

6.0-7.0
6.50 - 7.00
6.50 - 7.00

BF
Goodrich
All-Terrain
T/A KO
680

245/75R16

9.7

6.5 7.5

30.6
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

682

215/85R16

8.3

30.5

5.5-7.0
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

682

215/85R16

8.3

30.5

682

215/85R16

8.9

30.4

684

215/85R16

9.1

30.3

215/85R16

8.41

30.48

685

215/85R16

8.5

30.4

691

215/85/16

8.7

30.5

700

235/70R16

9.5

29

703

245/70/16

9.7

29.6

684

5.5-7.0
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer ST
Dayton
Timberline A/T
Dunlop Radial
Rover RT
Pirelli Scorpian
A/T
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO

5.50 - 7.00
5.50 - 7.00
5.50 - 7.00
(6.0) 5.5-7.0

6.0-8.0

6.5-7.5
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO

705

30x9.50/15

9.4

29.5

706

30x9.50R15

9.5

29.5

707

225/75r16

8.8

29.4

708

225/75R16

8.6

29.3

Dayton
Timberline A/T
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO
Cooper
Discoverer LT

(7.5) 6.5-8.5

6.00 - 7.00

708

30x9.50R15

9.3

29.3

708
708

225/75R16

9.1

29.4

30X9.50R15LT

9.63

29.35

709

225/75R16

8.8

29.4

709

30x9.50R15

9.6

29.5

710
710

225/75R16

8.9

29.2

225/75R16

8.54

29.35

711

225/75R16

8.8

29.3

712

235/75R15

9.2

29.1

Cooper
Discoverer LT
Pirelli Scorpian
A/T
Cooper
Discoverer ST
Bridgestone
Dueler A/T
Yokahama
GelanderAT

6.50 - 8.50
6.0 - 7.0
6.50 - 8.50
(6.0) 6.0-7.0

6.5-8.5
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Cooper
Discoverer ST
Dayton
Timberline A/T
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)

6.00 - 7.00
6.00 - 7.00
(6.0) 6.0-7.0

6.0-7.0
Yokahama
GelanderAT

714

225/75R16

8.8

29.3

6.0-7.0
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO

715
715

235/70/16

9.5

29.1

235/75R15

9.14

28.62

717

235/75r15

9.1

29

717
717.25

205/R16

8.1

28.9

calculated
!

30 x 9.50-15LT

9.8

29

719

235/75R15

8.9

28.9

721

235/75R15

9.3

28.9

723

235/75R15

9.3

28.9

725

225/75/16

8.7

29.3

Cooper
Discoverer ST
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Mickey
Thompson Baja
Belted

6.00 - 7.00

5.50 - 6.50

6.5-8.5
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Bridgestone
Dueler A/T
Yokahama
GelanderAT

6.00 - 7.00
(6.5) 6.0-7.0

6.0-7.0
Dunlop Radial
Rover RT

730

225/70r16

8.9

28.5

BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO

Michelin LT
XMS

Largest Size
Driven By List
Member Who
Says He Likes
That Size With
Stock Motor
And
Stock 4.86 Final
Drive
Note:
With
Lightweight
Pickup Version!
737

235/75/15

739
742.8

235/75/15

9.2

28.8

29 x 9.50-15LT

9.7

28

calculated
!
743

215/70r16

8.7

28

744

215/75R15

8.7

27.9

746

215/75R15

8.15

27.8

747

215/70R16

8.2

27.9

Dunlop Radial
Rover RT
Mickey
Thompson Baja
Belted
6.5-8.5
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO
Yokahama SuperDigger IV(Y811)
5.5-7.0
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Bridgestone
Dueler A/T
BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO
Dereks
Alternate 2nd
Best
Recommendatio
n For Stock
4.86 Gears;
For List
Members With
15 Wheels;
Consider ECU &
Ratio

748

215/75r15

8.4

27.8

5.50 - 7.00
(6.0) 6.0-7.5

748

215/75r15

8.4

27.8

750

215/75R15

8.5

27.7

755
755

215/75R15

8.5

27.7

765

195/R15REINF.

779

27x8.50/14

195/75/15

Rocker Power
Upgrade
For Engine,
Especially
For Westfalias
Pirelli Scorpian
A/T
Yokahama
GelanderAT

5.5-7.0

5.5-7.0

Michelin LTX
7.7

27.1

Cooper
Discoverer LT
BF Goodrich All
Terrain Radial
Pre-KO Version
From 1990s

5.00 - 6.00

BF Goodrich AllTerrain T/A KO

782

27x8.50/14

8.5

26.6

782

27x8.50R14

8.7

26.5

783

225/70/14

26.6

797
797

195/75R14

7.5

26

797

195R14

815

819
836

195/75R14

6.00 - 7.50

5.00 - 6.00

Vredestein:
Transport
Snow
Nokian Hakka
CS

195R14

811

Dereks
Recommendatio
n
For Stock 4.86
Gears
Cooper
Discoverer LT
Bridgestone
Winter Duelers
Cooper
Discoverer LT

7.9

27.9

Bridgestone
Dueler A/T

195/75/14

Vredestein:
Transport
Snow

205/70/14
205/70/14

Stock North
American
Michelin MXL
Michelin MXT

(5.5) 5.0-6.0