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Hey guys,

Long time lurker and finally got around to posting

Just wondering if anyone can help me; I’m trying to find some details on 181 gearboxes.

I’ve found a 1500 gearbox and reduction boxes going very cheap from a 181 and was trying to find some gear ratio details etc for them? Am I right in thinking some (or all?) 181 boxes came with a limited slip diff? Is there any way I can find out from the gearbox no. which have?

It’ll be for a baja, so weighing up getting the 181 box against a split screen box with reduction boxes.

Cheers guys,
Dave

In IRS transmissions, LSD and gearing depended upon what market the 181 was intended for. There's not much info on the swingaxle boxes in the US, but it wouldn't surprise me to find that they also came in more than one variety.

What's the codeletter?
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=99606

I could be wrong, but I think only swingaxle 181s had the LSD option.

Towel Rail wrote:I could be wrong,

You are right.

IRS LSDs are 10 times more common than swing axle ones according to my survey.

AV is the letter code of all Thing gearboxes delivered to the USA. AW is the same gearbox with a factory installed IRS ZF limited slip diff (not sold in the USA).

Bruce2 wrote:IRS LSDs are 10 times more common than swing axle ones according to my survey.

AV is the letter code of all Thing gearboxes delivered to the USA. AW is the same gearbox with a factory installed IRS ZF limited slip diff (not sold in the USA).

Izzat so? You should give Hanno a ring, then. His page is missing that info: http://www.geocities.com/vwtyp181/181_3-2.htm

Towel Rail wrote:

Bruce2 wrote:IRS LSDs are 10 times more common than swing axle ones according to my survey.

AV is the letter code of all Thing gearboxes delivered to the USA. AW is the same gearbox with a factory installed IRS ZF limited slip diff (not sold in the USA).

Izzat so? You should give Hanno a ring, then. His page is missing that info: http://www.geocities.com/vwtyp181/181_3-2.htm

Feel free to direct him to this topic.

Bruce2 wrote:

Towel Rail wrote:

Bruce2 wrote:IRS LSDs are 10 times more common than swing axle ones according to my survey.

AV is the letter code of all Thing gearboxes delivered to the USA. AW is the same gearbox with a factory installed IRS ZF limited slip diff (not sold in the USA).

Izzat so? You should give Hanno a ring, then. His page is missing that info: http://www.geocities.com/vwtyp181/181_3-2.htm

Feel free to direct him to this topic.

You're the expert, all this is new to me.

One of the very cool Things about Things is that no matter what one source claims, there is proof otherwise. Since 68- 80 is the official Thing production period and since Things have been shipped all over the world and now many of those have come to the US and some of the parts have ended up in US Things, there are some unresolvable issues about what was used and what was not used. For example, I just got two rear deck lids that have vertical ribs on their edges. According to one German expert these were made in 69 only. According to another person in Mexico these were made for the Indonesian market. All I know is I got more ribs. Like the illusive glove box door. A while ago some guy from Canada found a stash of them in Belize. Go figure... My sources tell me finding one in Germnay is right next to impossible..... If its a Thing anyThing is possible.. Even Hanno does not have ALL the Thing data because there is no such Thiing.