RGB'S - SUBARU 5MT 5 SPEED MANUAL - T3 VANAGON 2WD

This kit converts the Subaru 5MT / 5 speed manual transmission from AWD to 2WD and reverses the drive. The kit also comes with brackets to install the transmission into a T3 Vanagon. 

Our Reverse Drive Reduction Gearboxes (RGB's) are a purpose-engineered solution designed to reverse the drive of a Subaru 5-speed manual transmission — without compromising strength or integrity of the gearbox. 

This kit suits the Subaru 5MT for 2WD application. 

At the core of every unit are precision CNC-machined aluminium case halves, manufactured to exact tolerances and finished to perfection. Built from high-quality, high-strength, billet aluminium, the RGB's are exceptionally strong, durable, and engineered specifically for high-powered engine applications.

This is not just another reverse-drive solution — it is a properly engineered system built for strength & reliability.

Ratios explained:

The RGB's are available in 1:1 ratio or 1.19 reduction. Eg: If you are happy with the final drive of your transmission and you do not wish to change it, then you would purchase the 1:1 ratio RGB's. However, as an example, if you had a 4.11 final drive ratio and wanted to take it to 4.89 then you would purchase the the 1.19 reduction RGB's. 

Please see chart below for further explanation.  

The Only Subaru 5MT Reverse Drive Kit That Drives on the Correct Side of the Gear:

The REVERSARU RGB's are the only reverse drive system in the world for Subaru transmissions that allows the ring gear and pinion to mesh and operate on the 'correct' (drive) side of the tooth, rather than running on the coast side.

While some say this doesn't matter, the experts say it does! 

By maintaining drive-side tooth contact, our RGB's preserve proper gear loading characteristics within the transmission — delivering superior strength, reliability, and longevity under high torque conditions. This is critical in turbocharged and performance builds where gear integrity cannot be compromised.

NOTES: 

• We also sell a Cable shift kit for the T3 Vanagon which means you don't have to spend countless hours trying to make and weld rods and linkages to get your gear lever to work with the Subaru 5MT. We've done it all for you! Search our store for the T3 Vanagon Cable Shift Kit to suit the Subaru 5MT with RGB's.  

• The best transmission to obtain is the FEMALE type transmission with MALE CV joints. Please see video in this listing for more information. 

No Transmission Surgery Required:

Unlike other reverse-drive / flipped ring ad pinion products on the market, our system does not require you to:

• Split the transmission case 
• Disassemble and disturb internal components
• Reset pinion depth
• Reset backlash 
• Reconfigure factory gearsets
• Grind away extremely important, integral, structural material from inside the gearbox

Other systems demand invasive internal modifications that are time-consuming, complex, and permanently weaken the transmission housing. Grinding away internal case material removes strength from a critical structural component — something no gearbox should require. With our RGB's, none of that happens.

Engineered for Simple, Straightforward Installation:

Our kit has been designed for ease of installation, minimal labour and has the novice in mind.

• No internal gearbox modifications
• No case splitting
• No grinding
• No pinion depth setting 
• No Backlash adjustments 
• No complex reassembly

Just a clean, easy, bolt-on solution that preserves and even adds strength, instead of compromising it  - with our 'Blast Plate' bracket design. You retain the integrity of the original transmission while dramatically reducing installation time and labor. 

Integrated Blast Plate Reinforcement:

With the REVERSARU RGB's, strength is built into the design from the beginning.

The RGB mounting brackets incorporate integral 'blast plate' reinforcement, inspired by the WRX race world where blast plates are used to strengthen transmission cases and stops the cases flexing under extreme load conditions.

Example of a blast plate used in the WRX racing world - shown below. This same design is incorporated into our RGB bracket that bolts the RGB to the transmission. 

By integrating this reinforcement directly into the bracket system, we add rigidity and structural support exactly where high torque loads are transferred — further enhancing durability in high-performance, high torque and turbo applications.

The kit includes:

• Brackets required to bolt the RGB's to the transmission
• Brackets required to bolt the transmission into a T3 Vanagon
• Custom axles (in some cases the axles may need to be cut down to size which is a relatively easy job)
• CV adapter flanges to suit 100mm T2 Bay & T3 Vanagon CV joints
• Stub axles to insert into the transmission which then drive the splined input shafts of the RGB's
• In summary, the kit is complete with bolts and brackets etc.