Installing Big nut tranny in a 59 Kombi

[Braukuche]

[Eric&Barb]

[SixVolt]

Ok, here is an update. Went up to Michigan and trailered the bus back. The prior owner Ben is a really nice guy who did a lot of nice work on this bus.

In any event, we discussed how it woulld probably be better to consider putting in another tranny and if its a big nut to probably go with a bigger engine than the 40HP.

So here's some pics under the bus of the trans/mount location.

Can any of you knowledgable split owners tell me if this bus (Again VIN #473896) has the earlier set up or will a big nut fit without one of those adapters?

If you can't tell from these pics, what areas can I photograph to give you a better view to tell?

[Eric&Barb]

[Eric&Barb]

BTW those square headed bolts on either side of the rear shift linkage coupler need to be safety wired together in such a way as to keep each of them TIGHT.

Had one fall out in middle of nowhere NM. Not real good to have happen! Have kept them wired since then.
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[SixVolt]

Many thanks! That's good news. As I mentioned earlier, I have a drum to drum core big nut that I can have a shop go through. I have a buddy that can help me go through the RGB's. I don't like getting too far away from stock, but I owned a '59 previously with a small nut and a 36HP and it was scary getting on a freeway even on a Sunday morning. I know the gearing probably isn't all that much better, but my current trans was ground down by someone in the past (not Ben) to an ugly pulp. The replacement big nut trans doesn't have the bell housing ground down. I may even be 12 volt, as it has these rubber pads on the axles that suggest its a late split trans.

I'll get on those square nuts as well. Thanks for the tip.

Many thanks to all who weighed in!

[BarryL]

Judging by the seal on your shift input and a couple other possibilities I think you already have a Big Nut tranny and most likely a '67. Don't get too excited yet as it might just be an uprated nosecone with backup lights and the sealed shaft.

[SixVolt]

It is an updated nosecone. Good eye. The current tranny is a small nut. 36mm. My core (potential replacement) tranny is 46mm. I'll try to get a pic up of the potential replacement core. The previous bus owner (Ben) had issues with the old nosecone on the tranny he was working with. He found a replacement small nut and put a replacement nose cone on that tranny. It was frustrating for him because someone previously butchered the bell housing on the trans converting some other vehicle to 12V.

[Eric&Barb]

You can use a self supporting starter to work with that chewed out bell housing.
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[ToolBox]

[Braukuche]

[Erik G]

I dunno I really like a 1500sp and Big Nut combo, 1600+ as well. My 1500SP Big Nut combo worked well in the city and on freeways, I would have to drop to 3rd on long steep foothills (from Sacramento to Auburn daily)
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[Bruce Amacker]

Hey guys:

His small nut trans is a good working unit and the big nut is a mystery trans. He can switch the big nut axle tubes and RGBs onto the small nut center section, right? Other than the 4.12 vs 4.37 are they interchangeable as an assembly? Being his is a SN tunnel it should be a 59-63 with a 4.37 R&P.

I don't think going to 4.12 from 4.37 should be an issue, he plans to go with a 1600 at the same time. I have a '64 BN in one of my buses which appears to be a one year only 4.12R&P with a 1600DP and it's fine. But, I can tell the higher gear from a previous 4.37 BN I had.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/50_67_bus_gear_ratios.php

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'66 Deluxe Bus
'65 Standard Bus
Build threads:
'66- http://www.leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&sid=54d8dedfb3822f99c7f2ea430cb4e856
'65- http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4263