TheSamba.com :: View topic - Replica T-166 Schwimmwagen

Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:27 pm

I thought I would pass along a little bit of news I received recently from Denis at KoobleKars.

We're getting our first Schwimmwagen body shell in January 2010.
Ever since introducing the Kooble T-82R Kubelwagen 14 years ago we have been asked about when we were going to manufacture the T-166 Schwimmwagen. We'll be producing them in early 2010.
Yes the tub is extra heavy duty hand laid fiberglass with a sturdy steel backbone for mounting the engine and suspension components. No rust problem here.

He also informed me that YES! it will Schwim! This first version will be four wheel drive, and will be equipped with a working propeller. Pricing will be dependent on how well things go with this first one but considering everything that goes into a project like this it should be reasonable. Congrats to Denis, Steven and the rest of the team at KoobleKars for taking on such an adventurous project.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:31 pm

What are they using for the transmission and front gear box to make it 4wd? Do you know what front beam would mount up to it? Bus or Bug? I look forward to 2010! :D

Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:13 pm

:shock: sign me up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:29 am

typ82kubelvw wrote: What are they using for the transmission and front gear box to make it 4wd? Do you know what front beam would mount up to it? Bus or Bug? I look forward to 2010! :D

I would hazard to guess that they will use a subaru 4wd transmission. Their setup is very similar to the schwim's drive train.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 12:31 pm

splitjunkie wrote: typ82kubelvw wrote: What are they using for the transmission and front gear box to make it 4wd? Do you know what front beam would mount up to it? Bus or Bug? I look forward to 2010! :D

I would hazard to guess that they will use a subaru 4wd transmission. Their setup is very similar to the schwim's drive train.
I would need to ask them but the subbie driveline sounds reasonable.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:44 pm

hey shadd tell denis that i want two. one for me and one for you :wink: . that would be sweet. like that would ever happen. either way i think this is the coolest replica built since the 550 spyder was replicated. keep us updated on any new news.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:38 pm

i kinda loathe the fiberglass newer replicas but this is kinda neat......what would be seriously cool is a metal version,the drivetrain i guess is ok if subaru but i would rather see german parts,all in all,pretty cool replica

Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:48 pm

I hate fiberglass also, but for this application being amphibious I think it's genious. Would also like to see VW drivetrain components, but that's pretty tough with 4WD.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:20 pm

Didn't some *gasp* vanagons have 4wd? If you didn't want to be completely nit noid perfect, I'd imagine that'd be 4wd solution. You'd have to custom build some kinda spindle to do 4wd on a beam though.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:55 am

http://watercars.com/

If you want a fast one....

Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:39 am

LeviMan2001 wrote: Didn't some *gasp* vanagons have 4wd? If you didn't want to be completely nit noid perfect, I'd imagine that'd be 4wd solution. You'd have to custom build some kinda spindle to do 4wd on a beam though.

I know the vanagons had 4WD but their drivetrain is a lot different from the Scwim's. The Subaru's is a lot closer. But the problem that both have is that they aren't swing axle.

You could just use cv joints and trailing arms in a dune buggy but that would not work in the water tight tub of a scwim.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:54 am

I always thought it is just a matter of time - well done! Can't wait to see the completed product 8)

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:40 pm

i'm contemplating building a kubel by hand, this would be far more desirable, and practicle, i wait with baited breath for more pics, info and of course prices!!

Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:52 pm

Inspiration:

Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:21 pm

slammed,brm's,2180 ida's, and a jet drive,haulin a couple o fraulines,suckin heineys on the rhine,................ :D john

Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:00 pm

Shadd wrote: Inspiration:

cool video, i like the kicker motor just in case....

Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:38 am

The Subaru drivetrain would need to be made reverse-rotation, kind of difficult because the Subaru gears can't be flipped on account of they're asymmetrical and a the engine is computeer controled, the normal rotation drivetrain would give you one forward and four reverse gears. You can reverse-rotate a Corvair engine by throwing in a reverse Corvair cam, possibly a VW engine also, never seen a reverse VW cam though. Either one of those would mount up to the Subaru transaxle without much difficulty.

Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:32 am

Yea, I looked up some pictures of subaru trannys and noticed that the case does not look like it would allow you to flip the differential.

I don't think you could reverse the rotation of a vw engine because the oil pump is driven directly off of the cam. I think the corvair oil pump was driven by a gear off of the cam that would allow you to reverse the rotation but keep the oil pump running correctly.

Sat Oct 31, 2009 7:57 am

Front suspension using subaru parts sounds like it will be challenging and exspensive. Perhaps in the rear you could adapt reduction boxes to a subaru transaxle then the tranny would not need to be altered since the reduction box needs a diff running reverse to go forward anyhow. The pick do show that there is a torsin tube housing in the rear so it could look more original that way. Just would hate to see a schwimm replica rolling on some super custom subaru WRC suspension. Would rather have a 2wd that looks more correct. I look forward to more pics and info!

Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:55 am

Wow ! can´t wait to see the finished schwimmwagen ! It would be cheaper to produce it just with rearwheel drive, though...
I´m curious how much they will ask for the schwimm ?
keep us updated !