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Wed Dec 04, 2013 1:46 pm

Im helping a friend put his 54 samba back on the road after it being off the road since 1972......

Have a few Q's to ask please. (lots more to come too)

1... chassis number reads 20-09658 can anyone tell if it IS a 54, the 16" Rims say its a march 54.

2... would the two rear corner windows be glass or plexy glass?? this has the latter.

3... OG colours are SWR/CB (under the blue it has now) roof is white but has signs of CB underneath, could the white be OG as it was delivered to Malta?? and yes it is RHD too.

4... Can i fit a gearbox from a 57 to the BD after i change the spring plates and fit mounting brackets for the shocks? bus came without gearbox.

5... does anyone repop the front safari hinges for a BD?? his are broken in half.

Thanks and will try to upload some pics of the beast soon.

Eric.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:09 pm

can you check the chassis number? fro 54 you should have 20- and 5 digits

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/chassisdating.php

4 digits is much earlier

Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:22 pm

20-09658 is missing a number. It won't be a February 1951.
The 96000 barndoors were built in September 1954.
Yes to plexiglass/Perspex
Yes to the colour and safaris.
I would say the white roof was added later.

I'm guessing this is the bus.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:24 pm

Assuming you are missing the last VIN digit, it would make it a Jan 55 dlx.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/chassisdating.php
Corner windows should be Plexiglas.
Chances are roof was painted white later. Order the birth certificate.
I think pre58 gearboxes are ok?

Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:39 pm

The 57 trans will bolt up to chassis no problem but you will need to make some spacers to go between springplate and reduction box.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:45 pm

Lowdown Dirty Rat wrote:

I'm guessing this is the bus.

Thats the one, took me ages to clear a path for it to come out :)

Thank you all for the info regarding the chassis number ill have another look at the number tmro and post up.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 5:48 pm

Who is it that makes the safari hinges please? got a link?

Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:44 pm

You'll also need to clearance/notch the springplates where they hit the stops on the torsion housing. Assuming stock height?

Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:59 pm

bubblehead wrote: You'll also need to clearance/notch the springplates where they hit the stops on the torsion housing. Assuming stock height?

Why would i need to notch the spring plates if staying stock height??
Are the 57 springplates not the same size as the OG ones??

Thanks for all the info...... will be very helpful when i get to it.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:29 pm

Because on BD the springplate attaches to the axle tube, similar to a bug. On later bus it bolts directly to the RGBs below the axle. If you tried to put together w/same springplate angle, it would lower the rear like 6 inches. I can post some pictures showing how it all works. Might be a day or two before I have time.

Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:48 pm

Yes there is some fab work to be done if you are putting a 57 style trans in. Why not install a stock Barndoor trans if you are keeping it stock? For the Safari stuff heres a link to the guys ad

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1526576

call him and he will sell you the parts you need.
GOOD LUCK

Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:24 am

Looks a realy nice project I have a big nut box in my 54 you have to notch the later spring plates to clear the bottom bolt where the lever arm shock would of been.
Then all you need is a pair of spacers to fit between the reduction boxes and the spring plate some longer bolts to go through the spacer and a 57 box will bolt up.
I have a friend that has done quite a few spacers pm me and I will pass on your details.
Cheers ben

Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:51 am

oring71 wrote: Who is it that makes the safari hinges please? got a link?

Have a search in the classifieds on here, you should find some hinges.

Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:07 am

bubblehead wrote: Because on BD the springplate attaches to the axle tube, similar to a bug. On later bus it bolts directly to the RGBs below the axle. If you tried to put together w/same springplate angle, it would lower the rear like 6 inches. I can post some pictures showing how it all works. Might be a day or two before I have time.

Yeah some pics would help out LOTS thanks. When you get time.

Thu Dec 05, 2013 3:09 am

jeremy6 wrote: Yes there is some fab work to be done if you are putting a 57 style trans in. Why not install a stock Barndoor trans if you are keeping it stock? For the Safari stuff heres a link to the guys ad

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1526576

call him and he will sell you the parts you need.
GOOD LUCK

Thanks for the link, will send him a msg.

Cant refit BD gearbox cos i dont have one and believe it or not this is the only BD known of here in Malta so doubt i will find a gearbox running around :)

Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:05 am

bubblehead wrote: Because on BD the springplate attaches to the axle tube, similar to a bug. On later bus it bolts directly to the RGBs below the axle. If you tried to put together w/same springplate angle, it would lower the rear like 6 inches.
So you could use a pre58 bus gearbox to lower a barndoor bus?
How does this drop of 6 inches compare to the drop you get by using a beetle straight axle gearbox?

Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:07 am

The notching is because the 55> spring plate sits below the axle, on barndoors it is in line with it - Here are a few pics of the '62 trans going into the '50 kombi:

You can see from the last pic that I had to re-notch the spring plates deeper to achieve stock height with this setup. A mate does the spacers that are needed in the UK and can post, pm me if you need some making up :D

Thu Dec 05, 2013 5:24 pm

Thanks for the pics and info, very helpful.

Thu Dec 05, 2013 5:28 pm

So i had a better look at the chassis number today and found the last digit i was missing.... so the number reads -20-0964585-

Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:15 pm

oring71 wrote: chassis number reads 20-09658
oring71 wrote: i had a better look at the chassis number today and found the last digit i was missing.... so the number reads -20-0964585-

Getting closer. :)

It should be -20-0XXXXX
5 digits where the X's are located, not 4 and not 6

If it's one of these they are both still September, 1954:
-20-096585-
-20-096458-