VW 181 Facts & Figures

Gearbox ratios

Ratios listed below are for gearboxes fitted to VW 181s. Depending on destination, gearbox ratios could differ. For example, VW 181s destined for Europe and the USA were geared higher than those for Germany and Mexico.

Model year	1970	1971 - February 1973	March 1973 up	'73, '74 Thing
Gear box code letter	..	..	..	AV
Part number	..	..	..	181.300.044F
Reduction ratios
1st gear	3.80	3.80	3.78	3.78
2nd gear	2.06	2.06	2.25	2.06
3rd gear	1.22	1.22	1.26	1.26
4th gear	0.82	0.82	0.88	0.93
reverse gear	3.61	3.80	3.78
differential	3.875	3.875	4.375^(*)	4.125
reduction gears	1.39	1.26	(none)	(none)

^(*) Specified for Germany and Mexico only. VW 181s for Europe and the USA had a 1:4.125 ratio differential. Option code M267 (from 183 2346 525 to 184 2818 496) denoted a modified transmission ratio, 1:4.375 instead of 1:4.125.

Source: [Boschen, 1983, p.362]; German Federal Army manual TDv 2310/001-12; Dune Buggies and Hot VWs , May 1992 (p.87, 'Tech Specs: Transmission Gear Ratio Data').

Gearbox code letters

The transmission code letter is stamped on a rib between the final drive and the shift mechanism on the right-hand side. One example has transmission type number 113, code AB. A typical code may be: AB 24 04 7, where AB is the type code, 24 the day of manufacture, 04 the month and 7 the last digit of the year. This transmission was therefore manufactured on 24th April 1977.

**Other gearbox codes (Type 1 VWs for USA)**
Gearbox code	Ring and pinion ratio	Notes
AT and BG	3.875	..
AH and DC	4.125	..
BA and GA	4.375	..
AV	4.125	part number 181.300.044F

Source: Joe Locicero (e-mail 15 Sep 1998), Scott Keck (e-mail 07-12-1999), Haynes VW 1200 Beetle 1954-1977 Owners Workshop Manual

Back to index

Last update: 08-12-1999