IRS to Swing axle in a 69

[AndrewS85]

Hey guys I just picked up a 69 and I'd like to switch to swing axle so I can run short axles. Can somebody point me in the right direction on what needs to be done to make the switch?

[John Moxon]

[TDCTDI]

You can narrow the IRS trailing arms & axles to retain the better suspension.

[AndrewS85]

Thanks guys but I'm not interested in narrowing my IRS, I'd like to just use a complete swing axle setup.

[kingkarmann]

A pan swap would accomplish what your trying to do.
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[AndrewS85]

[didget69]

Grab a Bentley manual for early ('66 & older) Type 1 chassis, and compare pics to what you have on IRS car. The swap isn't hard or complicated, if you look at it... Lots of info available without asking if you use a Search feature.

bryan
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[AndrewS85]

[FRNKNSTNGHIA]

Is there a particular reason you'd like to switch to Swing Axle? Are you trying to run wider wheels? If so what size?

With the proper offset wheels you can easily fit 7" width wheels in the rear.

My car currently has 15x6 Porsche wheels and I easily have clearance to run 1" spacers if I want the wheels to sit closer to the fender for a more flush look.

[didget69]

[AndrewS85]

[AndrewS85]

[John Moxon]

[swavananda]

OP...... first it would be helpful if you were a little more detailed with what your over all plan is. So all of us are saying why bother to do this ? Have you researched the clearance differences between a short axle swing and an IRS ? If you did then the answer is moot.

[jeffrey8164]

I think they’ve spelled it out quite succinctly.
They want to bastardize their 69 to fit wider wheels.
So they need a short axle tranny and some spring plates.
If it were me I’d just flare the fenders.

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[TDCTDI]

Is part of your plan to drop it to the ground also? Just know that when you start lowering a swing axle car that you will also be chewing the inner edges off of the tires & destroying wheel bearings due to the lack of lubrication. This is the reason that most people usually go the opposite direction.


You can also search the early Beetle forums for people doing the swing axle conversion.
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[AndrewS85]

[AndrewS85]

[didget69]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=691687&highlight=short+axle

Requires:

A short-axle T1 Transaxle
The requisite Swing Axle spring plates

R&R time:
Remove the IRS transaxle & trailing arms
Change over the Swing parts...

Depending on year of Swing unit used, you may be grinding for flywheel clearance in bell housing.

Point of Order: If you are simply going for a narrower track, using 1" narrowed IRS trailing arms will tend to be cheaper than sourcing a Swingaxle transmission & the spring plates for a conversion..

Need anything else?

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[didget69]