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Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:40 pm

I have been researching the redux swap phenomenon and find conflicting and confusing information. So I thought everyone that has a redux set-up in their Baja or rail could chime in on one Ultimate thread.

I don't want a debate. I just want facts from people that have redux boxes now or in the past.

I Understand that the redux swap is not for flying dune cowboys, or Baja racers (anymore), but are sweet for rock crawling, hill climbing, and trails.

Lets talk about adapters, gear ratios, tire size, things that break, why they break, etc.

I have a set of Johnson laydown adapters. I plan to reverse engineer them and get prints made. Let's share all the info we can come up with in one big ultimate thread.

Here is some conflicting info. I have read on here that the large nut is stronger, but in the Hibbard book it states the small nut is stronger. So who is right?

Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:51 pm

OK as im sure you've read whichever is which, the 63-67 redux box bearings aren't as strong and there is no choice in gearing.

Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:17 pm

the only down side is that ive taked to a few people thats have told me that they are pricey to replace when they go out.

Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:22 pm

Well, as mine isn't driveable yet, the best I can do is post pics of mine. All work was done by the p.o. I'm still trying to figure out what I have exactly.

Left side

Right Side

Tue Nov 07, 2006 5:17 am

The large nut would be the '63 to '67 so it looks like the small nut is stronger?

Your adapters look home made. My large nut tranny has similar adapters. If you have a 36MM nut on your drum you have small nuts, if they are 46MM you have large nuts.

Does anyone know if the internals of the trannies themselves are the same between the small nut and large nut? I am under the impression the redux boxes are differenr but the trannies are the same?

Here is a pic of a small nut and a large nut side by side.

Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:33 am

Hammer...

I'd make a small thread on the splittie bus forum... I wouldn't tell the details of what's going on.. just a factual "are the guts of redux interchangeable" thread.

I really don't hear splittie buses blowing their trannies... more the 36hp engines poop out.

Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:05 pm

Check your PM box... just thought of a good source for proven info on your conversion...

T.

Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:07 pm

Tim10 wrote: Check your PM box... just thought of a good source for proven info on your conversion...

T.
might that better be posted here for everyone's reference?

Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:47 pm

Are the RGB trannies known by a number? Like the 3 rib or six ribs are 002s and 091s or are they just small nut and large nut? Are there LSDs or lockers available for the RGB trannies? I am going to start a thread in the Splitbus forum and see if I can gleen any info from the bus guys. I believe the Euro type 181s used a RGB trans. Also did the military VW stuff have the RGB trannies?

Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:45 pm

Here is a Johnson laydown adapter. The axle overtubes are at the welder being touched up. Can anyone tell from this pic if these are for largenut or small nut? It seems to line up with both? :?

I need to put some bolts in and see if they really do both line up.

Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:46 pm

Well The bolts I have are too short. But I am telling you the bolt pattern looks really close between the large and small nut redux boxes. Is it possible that the gear reduction boxes have the same bolt pattern? I read on here that they are different, but I read alot of stuff on here..... :lol:

Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:48 pm

thrown_hammer wrote: Here is a Johnson laydown adapter. The axle overtubes are at the welder being touched up. Can anyone tell from this pic if these are for largenut or small nut? It seems to line up with both? :?

I need to put some bolts in and see if they really do both line up.

Those look like a copy of the johnson laydowns. A good copy but not original. I need to upload more pics of mine...

Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:49 pm

Please do. Knowledge is power.

Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:09 am

According to the Splitty bus guys the redux boxes can be switched between the large and small nut trans.

Wed Nov 08, 2006 5:16 am

HamburgerBrad wrote: Tim10 wrote: Check your PM box... just thought of a good source for proven info on your conversion...

T.
might that better be posted here for everyone's reference?

Brad ... you're right...

I'd sent a note about foreign military 181s... I had to do a couple of checks on the spec used in Turkey and Mexico bofore shooting my thread off.

There was some side talk etc in the thread relevant to Hammer's discussion --- not this thread.

T.

Wed Nov 08, 2006 10:30 am

Here ya go. Again got the info from the Splitty Bus folks.

http://failsure.net/oacdp/5867part/287.png

The number of teeth on the axle gear is listed between #20 and #21. Even lists part #s. Maybe we could order Alpine gears from the Motherland? :wink:

Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:05 pm

The transmission itself is the same, be it big nut or small nut axles. These are the same transmission used in the T-1 & Ghia, just with the ring gear flipped to run it backwards. I have my own adapters I made to put mine in the car. I broke a driver side adapter, and then re-enforced the new ones to handle the torque better. Pics can be seen at http://www.bugzyla.com and then click on pictures. Like what was said before, the redux set up is great for lift, but not for flying though the desert or big jumps, or engined with tons of HP. For this reason I am converting my bug to an 091 bus IRS with 930 cvs and 3x3 arms. mainly to handle the 2332 I am building.

Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:37 pm

Daryll,
I was planning on using your adapters before I got ahold of the adapters I currently have. I don't fly thru the desert, jump ramps, or have alot of HP so it should work pretty good for me. :lol:

Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:42 am

What I know so far.

The RGB bus trans is the same as a type1 swing axle trans except for the flipped ring gear. Therefore all the swing axle goodies like super diffs will fit the RGB trans.

The RGB trans is the same if it is a small nut or large nut. The difference is in the Redux boxes themselves.

I haven’t confirmed this yet but I think the bolt pattern on the small nut and large nut Redux boxes are the same. If they aren’t the difference is very small. Once I get longer bolts I will know for sure. When I put my adapters on either redux box the thru holes appear to line up.

I am going to start a thread in the Thing forum. I have heard the early Euro and Mexican Things had RGBs. Also the military versions are rumored the have RGBs as well.

Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:05 am

thrown_hammer wrote: Also the military versions are rumored the have RGBs as well.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=304233