TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Mar 18, 2003 11:23 am

Hey Bus Dudes,

What, if any, are the advantages of an IRS conversion over straight (swing?) axle conversion besides the ability to keep stock ride height. Mine has the straight axle style conversion without reduct boxes and is lowered about 3"...right where I like it. What about transfered power, handling, longevity, maintenance of the IRS conversion vs. mine.

I am contemplating and VW Trends just came in the mail box and there is a great tech article about IRS installation into typeII but no real sales points other than above mentioned ride height. They made it sound like that was the main reason they chose the IRS.

Any input is helpful.

Doug

Wed Mar 19, 2003 12:17 am

DOUG, I JUST FINISHED MY CREWCAB'S IRS CONVERSION AND WITH IT BEING ON BAGS I LIKE THE FACT THAT NEGATIVE CAMBER IS KEPT TO REAL MINIMUM WHEN I DROP THE TRUCK. I ALSO USED ALL TYPE 2 PARTS TO DO THIS, BECAUSE I AM RUNNING A 2.0 LITRE IN IT AND THIS IS ALL DESIGNED BY VW TO BE TOGETHER. YOU KNOW MATCHING THE MOTOR WITH THE PROPER GEARING. I DID HOWEVER USE A NEWER TRANS TO IMPROVE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD STRAIGHT AXLE CONVERSIONS IN THE PAST BUT I LIKE THE ABILITY NOT TO SUFFER FROM CAMBER ISSUES. ALSO AS ANYONE WILL TELL YOU IRS HANDLES BETTER AS IT IS ABLE TO HAVE A MORE INDEPENDANT RANGE OF MOTION THAN THE SWING. THE SWAP WAS SO SIMPLE I DOUBT IF I EVER INSTALL ANOTHER SWING CONVERSION ON MY BUSES AGAIN

Wed Mar 19, 2003 9:31 am

Could you give more details on the swap. What year bus trans did you use? What parts did you have to fabricate? What did you do about the mounts on the beam? I have been wanting to dothis to my bus for a whaile and I have a 1960 Double cab and a wrecked 1968 bus. Thanks, Erik

Wed Mar 19, 2003 2:47 pm

If the bus isn't going to be slammed (but only a 3" or so lower than stock) I don't really suffer from neg. camber that much if at all with swing set up do I? I haven't noticed it by looking at it anyway. I do like the better handling idea though. I am also curious as to the bus tranny you used. I think in the VW trends article, they used a 68 bug trans. Don't you have to use a later model bus trans that didn't use additional reduct boxes at the wheel? I have also heard that sometimes the wrong gearing with beefier motor can cause too slow of a engine/fan rpm that can lead to overheating.

Thanks for your input.

Doug

Wed Mar 19, 2003 7:45 pm

I would say IRS is the way to go in a mega slammed bus or anything over about 4" drop, I am running IRS in my 15 window but only becouse it was nesscasary with the porsche 5-speed conversion not to mention the 10" of suspension drop. normally for mild lowered busses straight axle is the way to go for simplicity, cost and ease of instalation!plus less parts to maintain. CV'S are a pain to deal with..
I build/sell the straight axle kits for $150.(+core)

Thu Mar 20, 2003 12:02 am

ON MY CREW CAB I USED A 75 TRANS. I USED THIS BECAUSE IT HAD JUST THE RIGHT GEARING FOR THE ENGINE I AM RUNNING. I AGREE WITH CAMEROD ON THE CUT OFF BETWEEN STRAIGHTAXLE AND IRS. I DO WANT TO STRESS THOUGH THAT TWO THINGS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN ANY TRANS UPGRADE. FIRST AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO CRUISE THE HIGHWAY NOW? SWING TRANS WOULD HAVE TO BE A 67 OR 68 TO HELP IN THIS AREA DRAMATICALLY. MOST EVERY IRS TRANS IS GEARED FOR HIGHER SPEEDS(ALSO MORE PLENTIFUL) SECOND, HOW WILL MY BUS HANDLE NOW? SWING, IT WILL HANDLE LIKE IT DID ORIGINALLY, UNLESS YOU LEAVE IT DROPPED THE 3 INCHES THAT GOING TO A STRAIGHTAXLE GIVES YOU. (TOP HEAVY) IRS:WILL ALWAYS HANDLE BETTER THAN A SWING AXLE DUE TO HAVING THE ABILITY TO RUN ON TWO DIFFERENT PLANES SIMULTANIOUSLY(BY DESIGN) I THINK IF YOUR AFTER A MILD DROP THAT WILL HELP GEARING ISSUES THAT THE STRAIGHT AXLE IS THE WAY TO GO. BUT IF YOUR AFTER THAT LITTLE SOMTHING MORE, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT USING AN IRS TRANS IS THE TICKET.

Thu Mar 20, 2003 8:56 am

ODCUSTOMS,
Give us some details on your conversion. What did you do to get the IRS in your bus? You said "the swap was so simple" Lets hear how you did it.

Thu Mar 20, 2003 9:09 am

ewordal-

check this article out...

http://www.23window.com/IRS_install.asp

jake.

Thu Mar 20, 2003 10:59 am

THAT ARTICLE IS PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE OF THE PROCESS, IT TOOK THREE DAYS TO MAKE THE SWAP.

Thu Mar 20, 2003 11:47 am

I have actually seen and read the article in 23window.com, but it sounded like ODCUSTOMS, does it with parts from a 1968 bus without buying anyones kit?? Just wondering. Oh well. I have a bus available and will probably try to figure it out on my own. Erik

Thu Mar 20, 2003 2:33 pm

I see that nobody has actually answered doug's original posting, namely, advantages/disadvantages assuming you are happy with your current ride height.
Anyone?

Thu Mar 20, 2003 2:38 pm

j. pickens,

thanks for bringing things full circle for me. I was wondering if we were going to get to that.

Doug