Will a Ghia rear subframe fit?

[TheApocalyptican]

New to the VW scene and thesamba. It's actually my girls 68 Bug. It's currently a manual trans, but we have already picked up the whole autostick setup that she wants. Car has a swing axle right now. Found someone in town that has a 73 Ghia rear irs subframe that looks based on pictures to be correct, but since the Ghia is wider, I'm worried the subframe would be as well.

[raydog]

How complete is this "subframe?" Are you talking about the I beam with suspension and drivetrain? The Ghia floorpans are wider, so short answer is "no" it will not be a direct fit, unless you replace the pans. Even then, you will still have a lot of work ahead of you, as far as converting the body over to accept the additional wiring reservoir, and all of the other associated parts. How ambitious are you?
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Come on, It's not rocket science. KISS

[Q-Dog]

Offroaders do IRS conversions all the time. Just need add the brackets for the torsion arms. There are jigs available to rent to do the conversion. no need to chop up the chassis (and keep it square/level) and a lot less welding to just add the brackets.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[TheApocalyptican]

So it sounds like no which is what I thought. The subframe is the whole rear suspension setup minus the drivetrain. But you confirmed what I thought that it will be wider. My whole reason would be to just unbolt what is there and replace vs the brackets and the jig. I may end up going that way unless I stumble across a bug irs rear. I'm expecting a fair amount of work to convert to the autostick, so anywhere I could save some work could be helpful, but the brackets and jig might actually be the least work. Thanks guys!

[TDCTDI]

There isn’t a rear “subframe” on a Ghia or beetle. The rear torsion housing is the same, but it’s not a bolt on unit without replacing the whole pan (or chassis)

The entire pan is removable from both cars, & the pan halves (the floor boards) are wider on a Ghia & these can be cut off & replaced with ones for a beetle.


If you have a “rear subframe”, it’s probably from a TypeIII Fastback/Squareback/Notchback or even an extremely rare TypeIII Ghia. These are NOT a bolt in application for a beetle.
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[Q-Dog]

[didget69]