converting swingaxle RGB split bus gearbox to straight axle.

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:02 am

Can somebody advice on this conversion?

I have a 1966 bus tranny with RGBs and would like to install long straight axles from a swingaxle bug toget a long geared "flyer". Thanks.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:22 am

Without going into much detail...

Are you dropping the front of the bus?

What is your cash budget for doing this.

The rear end is the lower cost end of the bus (easier too).

I can list parts... may be more susinct stuff by refferring back to how to lower a bus threads.

Tim

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:54 am

I´m lowering an european Thing which featured modified balljoint beam in the front anf full bus RGB gearbox in the rear. I already lowered the front with a Ghia disc beam and now I need to drop the rear. I would like to have a longer gearbox too.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:50 am

This may be a good xpost for kubel man.

If I remember correctly the X dimension (horizontal) on a thing is narrower than on a bug.

This may mean custom axles OR early drive axles.

I'll Xpost for you

Question - can you get IRS parts where you are... this would get your rear end IRS.

Note.. I'm sure you're aware that you can airbag your car fairly easy and cheap.

My apologies if I've used American Slang (or jargon).. I'm more than willing to rewrite if I've confused.

Tim

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:51 am

Please clarify where you are.. is your car from Europe or are you in Europe.

Filling out the user profile helps right size your answer.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:54 am

Xpost

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 242#920242

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:25 am

Yes, I´m in Europe. I can locate the IRS parts for the conversion but for simplicity, I wanted to stay swingaxle and use an original Thing gearbox with flipped differential and beetle drive axles and axle tubes. My main concer is what all has to be checked when flipping the differential.

perrib · Post by **perrib** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:02 am

As I understand, you want to turn the reduction box swing axle transaxle into T-1 swing axle transaxle. When you "flip" the ring gear you must check the gear pattern to insure proper contact. With out the set up tools you can measure the backlash and use paint ( small tube of yellow paint for pictures) the ring gear and note the pattern the pinion gear makes on it. Take a good picture of it as you need to duplicate it when you flip the ring gear.

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:27 am

yes, that is what I want to do. Thanks for the tip.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:24 am

Does anyone know if a circa 62 swing trany will bolt in wiht the correct torsions and spring plates?

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:40 am

yes, it will, with correct nosecone

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:44 am

Wouldn't this be easier and faster?

I know parts are slightly easier for us to locate in the US.

1961bluebug · Post by **1961bluebug** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:54 am

right now my thing is "sporting" a swingaxle from late german bug, but it has a shirt 4.37:1 gearing. With conversion of an original RGB box I wanted to achieve a final drive of 3.88:1. In europe the gearboxes with 3.88:1 ratio are very rare.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:43 pm

I appreciate the thought that I have no advise here to offer. But Bruce would know more about this than me. Did he chime in yet? K-mann

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:49 pm

If this gearbox is going into a Thing, I would not use a 3.88 R&P. A 4.12 is what you need.