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tiertender
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 52
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 Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject: Swing axle to IRS conversion |
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Here is my conversion from swing axle to IRS using the CB Performance weld on brackets. The easiest way that I found without the need to weld in hangers on the body. You use your same swing axle with the transmission support already in place all you will need is to purchase the IRS components.
http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1499
You will need to trim some metal for the brackets to fit.
the bracket tack welded in place.
This is the finished product. |
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surftypeman
Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2003
Posts: 95
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:23 am Post subject: cool |
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your work looks good-
how did you assure that the angle of the brackets welded were accurate?
did you have a template for removing material from the trailing arm?
also, are you using a bentley or other manual for assembling the parts? |
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tiertender
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 52
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: cool |
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| surftypeman wrote: |
your work looks good-
how did you assure that the angle of the brackets welded were accurate?
did you have a template for removing material from the trailing arm?
also, are you using a bentley or other manual for assembling the parts? |
The brackets already come cut at the proper angle. I did not have a template that shows how much metal to cut. I had to cut a little at a time, until the the bracket would clear. After the bracket would clear, I assembled the trailing arm to the spring plate with the bracket attached. I aligned the wheels then tacked the brackets in place. I then disassembled everything and welded the brackets in place. Then I welded any openings shut to avoid water from settling in the assembly. I use a bentley which everyone swears by, however I sometimes find it incomplete or vague at times. |
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DMNCLNR
Sir Camp'alot
Joined: November 12, 2003
Posts: 2897
Location: Newport Beach Ca
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Nice work, but why would anyone do such a thing?
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To his their own PBJ
Pl@y@ #1 |
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tiertender
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 52
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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| DMNCLNR wrote: |
| Nice work, but why would anyone do such a thing? |
This allows you to have an IRS suspension without the need to figure out where to weld in rear engine hangers. By doing it this way you have the engine hanger mounted already you simply use your own swing axle but weld on the brackets. I tried it both ways, much easier this way + I don't have a hanging bracket at the back of my engine.  |
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DMNCLNR
Sir Camp'alot
Joined: November 12, 2003
Posts: 2897
Location: Newport Beach Ca
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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I know, looks like you did an excellent job, im just not a fan of IRS so i was givin you some crap
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Pl@y@ #1 |
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tiertender
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2005
Posts: 52
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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| DMNCLNR wrote: |
| I know, looks like you did an excellent job, im just not a fan of IRS so i was givin you some crap |
Purist - point taken
I feel the same way about classic Broncos. I feel your pain, however I prefer a better ride rather than keeping it 100% original.
One other note this is a commonly asked question and I thought I would show one of the alternatives since there are many and I find this one to be easiest for the novice. |
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Notched
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2003
Posts: 2365
Location: Pacific Northwest
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| Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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I can think of two reasons: No camber problem and easier to switch out transaxles. Maybe three, better suspension...
Nice work!! I'd like to try that someday!
Oh, the purists have such weak stomachs... 
Take a tums!!
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Phillip Bradfield
Current stock: '57 Panel Bus, '63 Rat Notch, '64 Baja, '66 Variant, '67 Convertible Ghia, '68 Squareback, '69 Squareback, '69 Fastback
Southern Oregon VW Club -- http://www.sovw.org
Oregon VW Forum -- http://www.oregonvw.org |
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73notch
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2003
Posts: 667
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| Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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| DMNCLNR wrote: |
| Nice work, but why would anyone do such a thing? |
i had to do it too 
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moose130
Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2006
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:33 am Post subject: |
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I did the same conversion on a T1 using T3 parts.
Only difference is I made a jig to hold the brackets in the right spot.
Probably do the same again when i get my '65 rhd Notch (Porsche suspension and brakes on that one!) |
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bobskulll
Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2005
Posts: 38
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:05 am Post subject: |
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I'm in the process of doing this too. I got the irs tranny mount in straight, but now I have to pull my subframe and do the tricky part of getting everything aligned before I weld the arms in place. Looks good! What are your plans for the mount?
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GjMan
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2004
Posts: 834
Location: Grand Junction, CO
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| Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:09 am Post subject: |
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All you purists, relax. You can always return the car to its original configuration by removing that awful, bastardized IRS subframe and installing a SA subframe. No harm done. And when you do it this way, you don't have to alter the car body by welding in the IRS rear engine mounts.
I once did this conversion, but I did not cut metal out of the frame horns to make the IRS brackets clear. Rather, I kept heating the horn metal with a torch and carefully pounding it in with a large-face hammer until I had enough room. No holes to weld up afterward. |
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jimmybo1313
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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| What IRS components did you have to purchase? Do the IRS spring plates bolt right up to the swing axle sub-frame? Are the torsion bars interchangable on the swing axle and IRS? (Can you use either one or is there a difference and what would it be?) How did you aline the rear wheels? Thanks |
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Bobnotch
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2003
Posts: 23520
Location: Kimball, Mi
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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| GjMan wrote: |
| All you purists, relax. You can always return the car to its original configuration by removing that awful, bastardized IRS subframe and installing a SA subframe. No harm done. And when you do it this way, you don't have to alter the car body by welding in the IRS rear engine mounts. |
Maybe so, but if you weld the body mounts in, then you can use AT sometime down the road. With it set up on the subframe, you can't. Just my take on it.
That being said, it looks good. 
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| People keep confusing "restored" and "restroyed". |
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ozinbc
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006
Posts: 201
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| Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject: IRS - frame horns/drive shaft clearance |
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Good to see - will be doing the same but have heard you need to pound the frame horns a little for the drive shafts to clear? have you fitted the gearbox/drive shafts as a trial?
regards, Steve
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9mmPKR
Samba Member
Joined: September 13, 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Kansas City Missouri
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| Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:11 pm Post subject: |
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Does everything mount/fit properly with this IRS Swap?
Please update this post.. BTT please. |
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Max Welton
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2003
Posts: 11120
Location: Black Forest, CO
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Brent
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2010
Posts: 1622
Location: San Tan Valley, AZ
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vlad01
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2010
Posts: 3064
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:34 am Post subject: |
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| this modification coupled with kafer bars is ultimately the strongest setup you can get on a type 3. either stock setups by them selves are piss weak. |
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vlad01
Samba Member
Joined: October 27, 2010
Posts: 3064
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:40 am Post subject: |
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| Max Welton wrote: |
Not to put the flyswatter to Tinker-Bell, but those horns look seriously weekened by the cut out sections.
Max |
thats why;
a. use irs pivots of an irs sub frame and weld all the way around, just like factory setup on a irs bug.
b. weld in addition plates and weld all the way around like Brent did.
c + a or b. add kafer bars and go nuts on turbo t4 or suby to your hearts desire. |
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