71 bus tranny in 58 baja

type34sunroof · Post by **type34sunroof** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 9:15 am

Hi guys i posted this on another thread but was advised to start a new one.

I have a 58 rag sunroof baja that i broke the swingaxle tranny on and would like to convert to IRS bus. I have located a running 71 bus trans and motor for $150 if i pull them myself. I just need to know what i need to complete the conversion. The boneyard in ? has plenty of late model bugs to scavenge as well what pieces do I need and from which vehicle. I know IRS pivots have to be welded in and something has to be done with the nosecone??? Best case scenario 4 me would be to use the trans, axles, trailing arms, backing plates and brakes from the bus. Is this possible?

If it wasn't clear I'm on a tight budget and while my mechanical skills are OK my welding and fabrication skills are nil. HELP!!

Thanks.

Just thought of this. What about springplates? I get the feeling i'm getting in over my head...
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"Fill her up and check
the oil please". I love
doing that!

[This message has been edited by type34sunroof (edited 01-09-2003).]

GDRBO · Post by **GDRBO** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:09 pm

Don't try to use the bus arms! They are weaker than they appear.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:24 pm

Another option would be to have an IRS trans set up for swing axles. This was once very commonly done before the IRS chassis reached a more available status.I can`t remember the details but it consists basically of swapping everything from the sidecovers out to swing axle components. I`m sure any good VW trans shop can do it for you. Good luck. Bob Ingman

type34sunroof · Post by **type34sunroof** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 3:59 pm

OK here goes...Just because I am unable to weld or fabricate does not mean I don't know someone who can. As far as the nosecone is concerned I'm aware of the Berg kit and have heard of others that mount the ORIGINAL nosecone in the tunnel. Suspensions Unltd?? comes to mind but not sure haven't found the old post. Changing the pan to IRS is not an option as I would have to retitle the vehicle and in Colorado as in Cali. we have emmission concerns there. as well as the possibility of Motor vehicle wanting to classify it as a "specially constructed" vehicle and not a VW beetle. This affects insurance as well. Lastly I want to keep the linkpin frontend.

That said I have searched Kymcos site for the IRS jig necessary to weld the pivots in and found nothing. Anyone know where to get one and how much? How about the "original nosecone in the tunnel" trans mount I know someone makes one but who and again how much?

My ? was which pieces do I need from the bus and which from the bug and what else will I have to buy? The bus is complete and running and the easiest way 4 me to do this is to take the engine and trans complete out to the outer CVs. From my limited understanding so far it appears that I will also need IRS bug trailing arms and springplates as well and that the arms will need to be modified to accept the type 2 CVs. Am I correct so far? If the nosecone is in the tunnel I'm assuming no adapter is needed for the shifter. Still correct?

The swingaxle bus is an idea that I tossed around for awhile but if you have ever driven a swingaxle car on a 2 lane undivided Highway at night with semis passing you the other way doing 80 you understand why I want to go with IRS.

So can anyone help here...which pieces do I need from the bus and which will I need from a bug, what will then need to be modified and what will I have to buy. Can a guy get a straight answer? I'm trying to do this as reasonably as possible, but I am going to do it or junk the thing.

Other pertinent info; the car is already 12v with a 200mm flywheel and kennedy stage 2 clutch, which is why I chose a 71 trans as opposed to the stronger late model trans. Much easier to mount a type 1 motor and part of the beauty of finding a wrecked running 71. I get a spare motor too. That and I'm running 33x9.5x15 BFG rears and 30x9.5x15 fronts and I need the lower 5.38 gears.

Thanks again guys.

BajaT4 · Post by **BajaT4** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:13 pm

ok, I didn't say this but...

A pan swap is your best bet and titling isn't an issue. Cut the tag from your old pan and weld it into the new one.

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 7:55 pm

Get a roached IRS bug and strip all the rear suspension off of it. Install the bus tranny with the bus kit with axles (otherwise you have to machine the flange back on your bug axles). Weld on your IRS pivots and bolt on all the IRS suspension. Toss everything off the bus except the tranny, CV's and axles. The axles will be nice if you ever go to 2x3 rear trailing arms. You can convert to 924/181 stub axles if you want to run tpye 2 on both ends of the axle but it is not necessary.

We have the IRS conversion on http://www.blindchickenracing.com/How_t ... ersion.htm

-Mark

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Blind Chicken Racing
www.blindchickenracing.com

type34sunroof · Post by **type34sunroof** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 8:23 pm

Thanks Mark for the concise answer and link answers most if not all of my questions. Much appreciated.

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Thu Jan 09, 2003 11:41 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by type34sunroof:
<B>If it wasn't clear I'm on a tight budget and while my mechanical skills are OK my welding and fabrication skills are nil. HELP!!
</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If this is the case you are screwed. The IRS pivots alone take some fabrication and welding finesse. The bugpack bus into bug kits put the tranny nosecone into the area under the rear seat which means cutting out the section above the tunnel. I made my own mount that put the tranny down where the bug one was.
Other stuff you will need is custom or modified axles, a shifter adapter, different tranny mounts, stock or lengthened trailing arms, all the IRS bearings, stubs and bushings, modified springplates or IRS style ones, and probably a different flywheel and clutch.
If you are truly fabrication challenged I would recommend beefing a stock tranny and bolting it all in. That would mean staying with swingaxle.
Another option would be to get an IRS pan and put the body on that with it all already done.

-Mark

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Blind Chicken Racing
www.blindchickenracing.com

mrbaja · Post by **mrbaja** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 1:10 pm

You can run a generic $25-$50 Bugpack style or clone bus-to-bug solid mount kit and keep the nose in the tunnel. The front mount in the kit is useless since they are designed to mount the nose above the pan. I fabricated a new front mount and it's worked great. With the 002 trans, you'll need to install a spacer since most bus to bug kits are designed for the 091. I got some pictures (see link under my signature)of what I did, others have copied and it's worked for all of us with no problems. If your gung ho on a soft mount kit, then you'll need to go Berg, Transdapt or other big buck kits.
Aloha, Theo

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http://groups.msn.com/BigIslandVWs/theo.msnw

type34sunroof · Post by **type34sunroof** » Mon Jan 13, 2003 3:34 pm

hey again guys and thanks. Still trying to find a jig to weld the pivots in anyone have one they don't need anymore?