TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:00 pm

How big of a deal is the swing axle cost of upkeep/frustration vs. the IRS? Had a mechanic in the area tell me to 'stay away from any beetle with a swing axle as it will only cause you headaches and cost you money'.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:11 pm

Nothing wrong with swing axle, if it is not a slammed car, and starts out in good shape.
If it has been slammed, walk away.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:49 am

Russ Wolfe wrote: Nothing wrong with swing axle, if it is not a slammed car, and starts out in good shape.
If it has been slammed, walk away.

X2

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:11 am

Ah - good advice. Thankfully Massachusetts roads + slammed cars doesn't work too well. :?

Funny - we picked up my wife's Maz Protege5 on a great deal but had to bring it up to stock height as it slammed pretty low. Still made out after the unmod. Was entertaining to walk into Mazda and ask if they could unpimp my ride. :lol:

If the car doesn't already have a mild drop - I'll be interested in possibly doing this. Depends on the year and the stance.
My search looks to have focused to '63-'66 w/12v conversion or '69-'70.
I do love the look of those ragtops... as everyone else does too.

Answer me this... what does "hoodride" exactly mean? I've taken it for the VW term for rat rod?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:00 am

HotTinRoof wrote:
Answer me this... what does "hoodride" exactly mean? I've taken it for the VW term for rat rod?

Hoodride originally is/was a term applied to VW's (and other cars) that were driven as they were found, (in a vacant lot in Da Hood), with minimal repairs. Rust holes in the floors, dented fenders, bumpers hanging off, because the owner did not have the money to fix it properly. They were typically slammed on the ground with fancy wheels. Wheels worth more than the car.
It then proceeded to become cars that were intentionally made to look like that. By people that had the money to fix the cars properly, but wanted to look like they were cool.
I was going to direct you to the web site, but as with any passing fad, http://hoodride.com has gone dark.

(Everett needs to change the definition in The Samba dictionary)

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:04 am

Don't forget brakes held together with vise grips. I loved that photo from awhile back.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:20 pm

Talking about highway cruising at 70+ in early 60's models, and having power from there (not street racing)... The transmission would need to be swapped with at least a '67 or newer, if not a pro built turn key, correct?

I'm curious why I see so many beetles with huge motors churning stock transmissions - wouldn't a 1776+ eventually burn out a stock 63? As well as limit the top end cruise speed?

Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:08 pm

Stock early swing axles were pretty tough, but they were a 4.37:1 final gear. This means the engine is going to be revving pretty tight to make 70-80 mph.
Later transmissions were 4.13:1.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:18 pm

Ah thank you - so the 3.88's I see from time to time are specifically custom built?

Technically what is a highway running gear? Does it compare to the 4.13? Or is it around a 3.88.

Really appreciate you straightening this out for me. :wink:

Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:45 pm

HotTinRoof wrote: Ah thank you - so the 3.88's I see from time to time are specifically custom built?

Technically what is a highway running gear? Does it compare to the 4.13? Or is it around a 3.88.

Really appreciate you straightening this out for me. :wink:

3.88 started in 1972 I believe in Ghia's, and in 1973 in bugs. Some of the trans builders are putting the 3.88 in the older transmissions, and calling them Freeway Flyers.