Best RWD transmission for TDI Swap

[bigsexyTDI]

So I have poured through the sticky with all of the build thread links, but I can't really find the answer I am looking for...

If you were starting from scratch, what is the best overall transmission for a TDI powered RWD vehicle?

I have acres of old trucks and tractors and other farm equipment and a half a dozen TDIs, and I want to start Frankensteining some sort of rat rod together. It will likely be on an S-10 Chassis as I would actually like to drive it quite a bit when finished and with the use of that chassis for many Hot Rod projects, I know the parts availability will be good for a long time to indefinitely. Also this will allow for decent handling and good brakes, etc.

So all that said, imagine an S-10 frame with a healthy @burpod tuned 11mm pumped, .260 nozzled, GTD17/18/20something turboed ALH with say a '48 Diamond T cab on it... or something completely custom with some old tractor sheet metal... many possibilities. But what transmission?

Best gearing, Best shifting, ease of availability, cost... whatever the factor is for your choice, let me know what ye think. Thanks!

Edited to add that I would likely use an 8.8 Ford rear axle again for the aftermarket support, and because there are a zillion gearing options, so thoughts on gear ratio please add as well.

 

[PickleRick]

The 2wd ax15 from the xj is almost a free transmission if you can find them. I believe Novac transmission sells them new.

 

[GlowBugTDI]

The 2wd ax15 from the xj is almost a free transmission if you can find them. I believe Novac transmission sells them new.

Came here to say this, and instead am going to upvote your post lol. I agree with this, though I'm not 100% sure what kind of HP/torque these trans can hold above the stock rating. I imagine it's a decent margin. I met a guy who was using one in a mini drift truck build using an alh. Never heard end results and if it's lasted.

 

[PickleRick]

300 ft/lbs of torque is the rumored max rating on the ax15.

 

[caffeine]

Could always use an AWD Audi transmission and weld the center diff (usually fairly easy to access). That way there's no adapters or special clutch/flywheel needed. Downside is the chassis-mounted shifter, which would have to be adapted in, maybe shift rods lengthened/shortened depending on the application.

With RWD you can change the final drive ratio relatively easily, so you can get good highway RPMs pretty much no matter what transmission you end up with. The ideal ratio will depend on what gearing is in the transmission.

 

[adamss24]

Use vw crafter transmission

 

[d24tdi]

Use vw crafter transmission

Would be great if they existed on North American shores. The Crafter was never marketed here. But maybe they are common enough overseas to be cheap and easily available? Wonder if the cost of buying one and shipping from UK or Europe would end up less than the price of the adapter plate kits out there for using other gearboxes? What do these transmissions sell for where you are?

Especially in the case of the OP who doesn't already have another gearbox lined up to start with and is beginning with a clean sheet, could make sense. Always nice to have an OE solution. Although are you sure the Crafter trans is drilled for the 4cyl TDI bell? Not certain what the Crafter engine choices were but I believe the older gen LT platform only used the 2.5L 5cyl and 2.8L 4cyl TDI engine lines, which are configured differently. Maybe they had some 2.0L 4cyl choices in the Crafter era?

Interested, as I keep thinking a RWD half ton pickup would make a good work truck with a detuned TDI but don't like most of the adapter choices out there..... Especially for use with the old VE type engines that require a flywheel reference for setting timing, impossible when using a different mfg's trans with an adapter plate.