T5 4Motion Low Gear Conversion

[Big Bug]

Toying with the idea of the Low Gear Conversion for my T5 4Motion.

Just wondering if anyone has the name of a good gearbox mechanical/workshop that could perform the operation.

Go ahead depends, of course, on the total cost.

Thanks in advance for the info.

Bruce CQ

[4wheels]

Toying with the idea of the Low Gear Conversion for my T5 4Motion.

Just wondering if anyone has the name of a good gearbox mechanical/workshop that could perform the operation.

Go ahead depends, of course, on the total cost.

Thanks in advance for the info.

Bruce CQ

If you're referring to the Seikel conversion, I think Trakka are the Australian agents, and as such, maybe the only ones who can do it.
Brian.

[Big Bug]

Have contacted Trakka and the cost is around $9,000 so I think that the cost is a little (well maybe a bit more than a little) out of my price range unfortunately.

On the German T5/6 list the ones that get it done say it is expensive but one of the best things they have done to their 4Motion vans. Well that's what Google translate says they are saying....

Was a nice little dream for a few days.........

Thanks Brian

Bruce CQ

[4wheels]

I looked at it quite hard when I bought my Trakka, but $16k for the whole kit (included raised suspension, bigger tyres some guards and the gearbox rebuild) blew my already stretched budget. According to Dave Berry then, the main point of the expensive gearbox work was to counteract the extra diameter of the larger tyres (although 1 and 2 were a little further lowered).
I drove one with the kit fitted, and thought the gearing changes were not that obvious, and the ride was a bit harsh as well. I've since had a lift kit fitted (Bilstein, not Seikel; cost $4k) and think it's a good compromise. Being able to fit the bigger tyres (I think they used 235/75 x 16) would be nice, but it's not a huge increase, and given the vans other limitations (mainly poor ramp over angle due to the long wheel base) it does surprisingly well as is.
I used standard size Bridgestone AT tyres for a while (got 60k) but I'm going back to the original Michelin Agilis now, as they did very well when I went to Cape York in 2008, despite being just a road tread.

PS. Are you Bruce that we met with the Syncro group on that trip?

Brian.

[Big Bug]

I do miss that low G gear on the syncro and the low reverse but I think I will give up the idea and put that money aside for a new clutch if I burn it out.

Yes I am that Bruce. You have had your T5 for quite a while now and when I saw you at Valla that time I remember you saying how well it cruised on the highway. Coming back from Brisbane the other day I remarked to my wife how it was "effortless cruising". Very comfortable.

Bruce CQ

[4wheels]

I do miss that low G gear on the syncro and the low reverse but I think I will give up the idea and put that money aside for a new clutch if I burn it out.

Yes I am that Bruce. You have had your T5 for quite a while now and when I saw you at Valla that time I remember you saying how well it cruised on the highway. Coming back from Brisbane the other day I remarked to my wife how it was "effortless cruising". Very comfortable.

Bruce CQ

Hi Bruce,
That makes three ex Syncro pilots from that little group (including Roger Bell) i T5's now. Mine's 8 years old now and still cruising effortlessly.

Brian.

[T5 Double off road]

Hi Bruce,
That makes three ex Syncro pilots from that little group (including Roger Bell) i T5's now. Mine's 8 years old now and still cruising effortlessly.

Brian.

Hello you off-roader's or wishing off-roader's, I have an 05 6 Spd. manual 5 Tdi Four-motion Double cab tray-back Diy fitted with tripple air-bag suspension all-round with extra long shocks on the rear with useful sub-frame spacers and lower shock mount spacers also 50 mm spacers on front sub-frame to prevent CV destruction at full height, But to answer your interest I pulled out the gearbox and swapped 1st 2nd and the final drive ring gear for the lower(with 2 extra teeth) Seikel low ratio's, I now run 22/75-16 LT off-road tyres - I used to have 1800 rpm in 6th gear 100 Kph but now it is 2000 giving me better towing and hill climbing - talking of hill climbing when empty how does approx 45 degrees interest you, whilst the g-box was out I fitted a heavy duty clutch pack, a warning the G box job is an engineering job with access to a 60+ton press needed. It is now a go anywhere vehicle with the snorkel & rear DL + front LSD (fantomgrip).

[Big Bug]

Hello T5 Double offroad. Your setup sounds excellent but the problem I don't have the knowledge and skills to do what you have done. Certainly wouldn't attempt pulling the gear-box out that's for sure, I'd be in more trouble than Ginger Megs. I was interested in the air-bag suspension but it all looked very expensive.

Have you do much by the way of trips, Simpson Desert for instance?

Thanks for the info

Bruce CQ

[T5 Double off road]

I do miss that low G gear on the syncro and the low reverse but I think I will give up the idea and put that money aside for a new clutch if I burn it out.

Yes I am that Bruce. You have had your T5 for quite a while now and when I saw you at Valla that time I remember you saying how well it cruised on the highway. Coming back from Brisbane the other day I remarked to my wife how it was "effortless cruising". Very comfortable.

Bruce CQ

Hi Bruce CQ, Some years ago I went to Birdsville via Walkers crossing and last year Cooktown through the Daintree - but I guess that was fairly tame - I did go to the top of Mother Mountain (where the microwave towers are) near Kenilworth QLD. (with a 4X4 club) that was very steep with loose soil & gravel complete with contour banks - and what a view from the top! Sorry I did't get videoed.