Hi guys this is a question for the trans guru's, what parts do I need to fit a earlier keyed ring and pinion into a 1971 dual side cover transmission with a splined pinion shaft? Cheers for any light you can shed on this for me.

You will need the keyed 4th gear set,
and the bearing and spacers from each side of it from a pre 1967 gear box.
The front needle/roller bearing for the pinion nose, which has a larger ID than your 71 trans, should fit straight in.

You will also need some special bolts to hold the crown wheel to the carrier since they are a fine 9mm thread.
I use bus ones and cut them to length.

Fantastic, thank you so much mate, was hoping you would see this tread, always like your advice. They are the parts I thought I would need. If my local VW shop doesn't have these bits are they something you can supply? If I have the right guy?

You may be best affordability to buy a whole gearbox of the pre 1967 type.
Then you can use the steel forks and metal caged bearings too.
If you have no luck, send me a PM after Sydney is over,
and I can strip one down.

Cool thanks a lot mate. Will do. Appreciate your help.

Got a pre 67 box stripped all the bits that I needed worked a treat Dangerous. Thanks a lot for your advice. Just need to do a spring lean on the box then put in all together. I owe you one! Cheers Nate.