VW Trike W/Auto Trans

jeffmcdonald · Jun 13, 2011

Anybody had any experience with the VW automatic transmission?? Just curious as to how folks feel about the auto trans.

Loner · Jun 13, 2011

VW full automatics (as came in Type III's - squarebacks) are quite bulletproof and well worth the extra effort if you are building a trike. If you speak of the 'auto-stick' as was used in the Type I (Beetles), then they are not quite as big of a hit (some say they are not smooth on a trike, have more problems, etc.) but are used often with great success. I think a nice trike could be made with either type, but I like the full-automatics best myself.

jeffmcdonald · Jun 13, 2011

Sounds good, makes it simple for my partner to take over as pilot.

Gorilla · Jun 13, 2011

jeffmcdonald said:
Sounds good, makes it simple for my partner to take over as pilot.

Bought one with the full-auto for the daughter. She loves it.

trikerbob59 · Jun 23, 2011

I have been building VW based Trikes since 2001 and have built several using the VW full automatic. Frankly, I wouldn't own anything but a full automatic. I just hate shifting all the time.

For the past few years, all my builds have been VW automatics adapted to a Subaru 1.8 SOHC motor. This has proved to be a very nice combination. A very nice smooth working automatic, coupled up with a great little motor that is nearly maintenance free.

My wife and I both ride a Homebuilt with the VW auto and Subaru motor. We just love them. As it happens, I have an extra one on hand at this time.

JG122 · Jun 23, 2011

trikerbob59 said:
I have been building VW based Trikes since 2001 and have built several using the VW full automatic. Frankly, I wouldn't own anything but a full automatic. I just hate shifting all the time.

For the past few years, all my builds have been VW automatics adapted to a Subaru 1.8 SOHC motor. This has proved to be a very nice combination. A very nice smooth working automatic, coupled up with a great little motor that is nearly maintenance free.

My wife and I both ride a Homebuilt with the VW auto and Subaru motor. We just love them. As it happens, I have an extra one on hand at this time.

do you have photos, or a website ...?

frankentrike · Jun 25, 2011

i got one.full auto.put it in drive and go.didn't realize it at the time i got it,it had a bent dipstick mount that let lots [LOTS] of water into tranny case figured it out when it started leaking water out of the dipstick mounting hole.drained 2 and1/2 gallons of pink icecream out of the case.pulled the pan, [fixed the mount of course]drained it for a day,new gasket and 12[yep 12]fluid changes later,the fluid remained clear and red when drained.no prob in shifting,smooth pull all the time.only prob is the cable.put it in 2[or 1,which ever is furtherest from park[didn't get a shift indicator with it] ],come back to drive and go.otherwise it's not completely in drive.otherwise,great ride.very happy with it.

drumdoctor · Jun 26, 2011

I have talked to several pro trike builders and they all said the same thing---
Type III-Squareback full auto trans are great and hold up well.
The Auto-Shift trans--not so good.

drumdoctor · Jun 26, 2011

Trikerbob59,

when you said that you had "an extra one on hand..."
What exactly did you mean?
That you had a running trike on hand or a Subaru engine or a VW auto trans or
both the engine AND trans?

Thank you.

Buggie Pilot · Jun 28, 2011

No problem With the Autostick *EVER* in our vw trike. Put it in third ride ALL DAY never shift .... not once ( they were designed to pull a lot more weight than just a trike.)

rrunner · Jun 29, 2011

I believe Trikerbob59 has a complete trike with the full auto trans and Subaru engine for sale if he hasn't sold it yet. He has a website which goes through the process of the build. I hope I'm not stepping on your toes Bob. My Subaru Trike Project

Bones of Illinois · Jun 18, 2022

VW auto transmission on my trike

having trouble with my auto transmission shifting into third gear on my trike any suggestions

MR TRIKE · Jun 18, 2022

Mr Trike

Bones of Illinois said:
having trouble with my auto transmission shifting into third gear on my trike any suggestions

Check oil level running hot in neutral. next remove vacuum line from modulator valve to see if any trany oil in it. Could be bad modulator valve. Needs replacing. KEEP-N-TRIKEN

MikePerrone · Jun 30, 2022

jeffmcdonald said:
Anybody had any experience with the VW automatic transmission?? Just curious as to how folks feel about the auto trans.

I have a Roadhawk with a automatic transmission and I love it!! I would never want to go back to a standard transmission, sepecially since I do alot of around town driving, that would be alot of shifting I don't want. Lesson learned, keep an eye on the fluid,I did have a Runabout that had tranny issues but I think that was because a leak went undetected.