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Pierre G Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 1771 Location: New Caledonia
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject: |
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Bruce wrote: |
Ian Epperson wrote: |
Also, I believe the ZF has a clutch that needs periodic replacement.
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Haven't seen that yet. But then I've only owned about 120 ZFs.
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Bruce,
How did you manage to have about 120 ZFs ? Are there so many ZF equipped Things in Canada ? Did you buy all the ZFs trans all around the world for like...20 years ? How was import of Things in Canada ? Only 1973-74 like in the US, or longer... _________________ 1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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ZFs were never sold in Canada or the USA. I guess VW thought we wouldn't be able to handle them.
I found the diffs in another country. Collected them over about 15 years. Most have homes. Plenty of Samba members are having fun! _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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Pierre G Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 1771 Location: New Caledonia
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:23 am Post subject: |
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Bruce wrote: |
ZFs were never sold in Canada or the USA. I guess VW thought we wouldn't be able to handle them.
I found the diffs in another country. Collected them over about 15 years. Most have homes. Plenty of Samba members are having fun! |
Hmm, I see now.
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...in another country... |
Mexico ? Germany ? Or is it a business secret because the source is still actual...? _________________ 1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject: |
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Many ZF equipped Type 181s went to Denmark. Belgium too. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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Pierre G Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2007 Posts: 1771 Location: New Caledonia
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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I knew it was from Belgium... Seriously I thought about Belgium too, because there is/was a lot of VWs there, as they were imported/built long before France for example. There was a huge 181/Military vehicles salvage yard in the East of France a while ago (near the german border). I think it's closed now. Probaly was a bunch of ZFs there too... _________________ 1976 181/Thing, 1967 fastback, 1973 squareback, 1964 microbus, 1967 Double Cab, 1969 westfalia (currently under resto), 1972 LM1C dune buggy, 1974 jean's bug, 1974 1303 (super beetle, currently under reassembly after new paint). |
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DavidWymore Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2014 Posts: 121 Location: SoCal near Glamis
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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I'd like more traction for my rail..leaning spool...I have cutting brakes, but don't use them because they don't work well, so I just gas, turn, let off gas, and slide the rear...wonder how a spool would act in a VW. I come from a 4x4/rock crawler background. |
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doublecanister Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008 Posts: 1184 Location: Richmond, Va
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Hey guys,
ok so how would you identify one of these "zf's" ?
is it something you can only tell by tearing down a transmission?
or is anything external give it away?
I have a spare transmission so I'm curious. would love to have this
traction on my THING from my last experience in the snow.
did a bit of googling and only saw differential assembly's, and other assorted "slips"
Thanks for any info!
T _________________ ****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8 |
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Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76897 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2016 7:42 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Jack the back of the car up so both rear wheels are off the ground. Rotate one wheel, if the other turns in the same direction, it's LSD. If it spins in the opposite direction, it's a open diff. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
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gears Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2002 Posts: 4391 Location: Tamarack, Bend, Kailua
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:45 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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.. and do this test with the trans in Neutral. _________________ aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com |
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doublecanister Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008 Posts: 1184 Location: Richmond, Va
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 11:53 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Thanks for the info guys.
I'll try to get that spare transmission in neutral.
it's in the shed (not in the THING) so I guess same test method would hold.
I kinda doubt there would be any external markings to denote what diff any trans "should of" had installed. Probably an open diff be my luck.
Thanks yall
T _________________ ****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8 |
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SilverThing Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2004 Posts: 810 Location: Everett
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 2:47 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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There are a few hints, but they aren't guarantees.
Transaxle codes (kind of like engine codes) will tell you what the factory supplied. The code is stamped on one of the lower ribs of the transaxle on the passenger side. There were 6 different transaxle codes for the Thing: AK, AL, AV, AW, GA, & GB. Only AL, AW, & GB came from the factory with limited slip differentials. The filler plug will sometimes have text on it alerting the user to the need for special oil.
AL was a swing axle transmission with reduction boxes and was only used in the 1970 through early 1973 model years. These will be fairly uncommon for multiple reasons, not least of which was the factory would actually recommend you not get one if you made an inquiry about it. Reason being the expense and the German military didn't order them for their vehicles presumably because they felt that the limited slip didn't add significantly to the capabilities of the vehicle (or didn't justify the cost). https://www.volkswagen-classic.de/en/magazin/report/volkswagen-typ-181-thw If you can read German, you can read the letter to Gifhorn's THW in the photgallery of the hyperlink.
GB is a single side cover IRS transmission and will also be uncommon. It is a limited slip transaxle that is also couple with an option code for alternate gearing (lower 2nd gear and lower final drive ratio). The option was only available from late 73 through the 76 model years. I saw one for sale on German ebay 9 years ago, but I couldn't convince the seller to ship it internationally.
AW will be the most common transaxle to have a limited slip differential. It was offered from late 73 through the end of production (January 1982 by some accounts). It is a single side cover transmission.
Now some caveats. The factory never offered the limited slip differential to the US market. All US market Things will have AV for their transaxle code (unless someone replaced the transmission - seen that a number of times). You could have potentially ordered a limited slip through a dealer parts department back in the day if you knew the part number, but I don't know of anyone ever actually having done this. EMPI also offered zf limited slip differentials in their performance catalogs in the 1970s.
If you're concerned about snow traction, the single best thing you can do is to procure a set of good tires. I am not kidding on this. A limited slip differential will help, but tires will have a bigger impact. _________________ "I like how everyone likes talking about Zeke's Thing yet he's the only one that's ever seen it." - Katie
"I've seen pictures..." - Jeremy |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2016 8:31 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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SilverThing wrote: |
The factory never offered the limited slip differential to the US market. All US market Things will have AV for their transaxle code ..... |
And Canada. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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doublecanister Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2008 Posts: 1184 Location: Richmond, Va
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Hey Silver & Bruce,
very good info, thanks for sharing!
I think you're right, I remember having to use snow tires on my first truck (78 Toyota), it made a difference.
Thanks!
T _________________ ****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8 |
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ferry Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2004 Posts: 244 Location: the netherlands
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2018 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Ive got a limited diff in my convertible bug from 68. Original factory option , its a german BGS ( Bundesgrenzschutse) or borderpolice .
I was suprised to see how many parts are different as the standard ones.
Sorry to post here but no result in the bug forums.
i need a rebuild kit or some parts to get it back working.
Any sources ? Thank you
_________________ Former bmx shop wob61,combat veteran iraq
After several aircooled ,now a 1986 t3 syncro westfalia |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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ferry wrote: |
i need a rebuild kit or some parts to get it back working.
Any sources ? |
None. VW people have been nagging VW for parts for over 30 years with no success.
What parts do you need? _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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ferry Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2004 Posts: 244 Location: the netherlands
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 6:10 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Hi bruce , most can be used again but the two “shims “ between de pressblock and the frictionplates are bad
I found the bearings and the m8 bolts , my gears are all ok
And i think i send another bruce a pm hahaha _________________ Former bmx shop wob61,combat veteran iraq
After several aircooled ,now a 1986 t3 syncro westfalia |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17285 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Post some pictures of what you have and what you need. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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ferry Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2004 Posts: 244 Location: the netherlands
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 11:49 am Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Ok ill do that . There are some pics in my photos here but nothing inside the diff. _________________ Former bmx shop wob61,combat veteran iraq
After several aircooled ,now a 1986 t3 syncro westfalia |
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sam_w Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 1479 Location: Petaluma, CA
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Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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I have a Quaife in my 73 Thingster for off-roading. There sometimes is soft sand and mud on the places I go so it has been helpful.
I had it installed by Rancho. _________________ 63 singlecab
73 thingster
74 Thing |
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1347 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Limited slip or locker for VW transaxle |
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Hey Bruce, how did those ZF thrust washers work out? I built you some years ago, got my ZF installed and put in my Thing.
Roger _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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