so i was thinken one day at work readen bout turbo diesels and trakicks. As u guys might remember i wanted to convert my 3 speed auto tranny to a 5 speed, but then found out i would have to change my ring and pinions.  So i came to thinken if i didnt change the r&p's and put a 5 speed in wit the factory 3 speed r&p's the higher gear ratio would be a good match for the lower reving more torqey diesel. What do u guys think? also who was the company that makes the diesel conversion for the trakicks? thanx

                                                              -mo

I think acme makes one, what tire size?  you mite have ta go with 4.30's for gears.

right nowi have some 235 75 r 15's on....and if i remember right i do have 4.30's cause its a 3 speed auto. do u knwo acmes websitge

You mite have 4.62's, try acmeadapters.com

you can keep the stock gears and go with a 5speed, however if you go with bigger wheels, like 33s, you would definately be better off with 5.12s.  Even with the diesel, lower gears are just better cause you can go with less power, not have to feather your clutch all the time. 

But dont let anyones opinion stop you, else we would all drive the same vehicle the same way.  People laughed at my 4 inch homemade bodylift and 33x12.5s   let them.   

hmmmmm... now how would a manual and my stock gears run .... i thought it would be to sluggish because they are too tall?

Yeah check out the guys at Acme Adapters...They are the ones that installed my 1.6l TD. The did a really nice job. I am running 32" Swampers with the stock 5.12 gears and a 5 speed. I run about 3000 rpms at 60 mph. So no speeding tickets for me But it doesnt feel sluggish either. i also get over 30mpg as well.

http://www.acmeadapters.com/index.php?sound=Y

jeep guys run 33s with stock 307s.  411 is a decent gear on a jeep.  only trackers come with nice 512s.  if a heavy jeep can go offroading with 307s, you can go with 430s

hmmm im wondering how it would be wit just the tranny swap and factory 3 speed gears..... how do u like ur diesel set up?

I dont have diesel, but you'd be fine.... a diesel makes about twice the torque a gas engine has.  You'll be fine with 462 gears.  realistically, it's only 10% difference.  Whats the gear ratios of the tranny you wanna use? you can make up for that 10 % by having a lower first

its not the low end that is the problem its the hiway gearing with a diesel. I have been doing some calcs as I have the VW diesel sitting here and a sidekick that is sluggish ont he hiway. to get the VW into its cruising area (2500 RPMS approx.) I will need to run 32" tires and 4.62 gears!

So I think you will be fine with leaving the 4.62's in there. with no overdrive the 3 spd auto is not a good match for the diesel anyways!

I really like it so far. I havnt had a chance to go on any trails with it yet, but on road it is really nice. It doesnt seem slugish at all. You have to get used to driving it different than the gas motor though.  Dave at Acme said you just want to run them at under 3000 rpm or they will get hot. Mine is right aobut 3000 rpm on the freeway at 60 mph and it doesnt heat up. I am gonna post osme pics and do a write up as soon as i get some extra time.

hmmm so many choices not to sure what to do

throw the diesel in.  you can always fine tune it later.  if you need different tires, there is always someone to trade with.  if you need gears, they're around.  A guy at zookpower is just gave away free 5.12 gears, I'm sure there are more around