RGB transmission differences?

[thrown_hammer]

I know the large nut and small nut reduction boxes have differences but do the transmissions themselves have any differences? I have one of each and wondered if I could use one for spares. Also are the RGB transmissions known by a model number or are they just large nut and small nut?

Thanks.
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1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey

[Eric&Barb]

Hi thrown_hammer,
It depends on how much time between the trannies. Plus if they have been rebuilt since new and what was installed.
You can see the differances in the Technical Data section in the Workshop Manual, or the Without Guesswork in the Parts Manuals section on the vintagebus.com website, or even the sales brochures in the Archives on this website.
As for "spare parts", you are best off having a experienced tranny rebuilder do the center section work to rebuild either or both transmissions. If you do want to get your hands dirty, and save some $$$, do the RGB/axle removal. Then rebuild and reinstall these yourself!!!!
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[thrown_hammer]

Thanks for the info. I won't be rebuilding anything. I just like to have spares and wondered if the center sections were the same. Trying to learn as much as I can about these old splitty trannies.
_________________
1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey

[WhitewallsJohnson]

This link will give you a good year by year idea of what your final drive ratio would be when swapping RGBs (or even converting to straight axle or bug IRS. http://sandlizrd.baja.com/gears.htmhttp://sandlizrd.baja.com/gears.htm
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[Eric&Barb]

Hi thrown_hammer,
Sure thing! You can install a small nut tranny with large nut RGBs and visa versa. The big problem is what top MPH at what RPM you are shooting for. For us that is 3,000 RPM. 1960 thru early 1964 results in 47 MPH in fourth gear with small RGBs, and about 53 MPH for the later 1964 thru 1967 tranny with large RGBs.
We had one tranny that came to us in our 1960 walk thru panel camper conversion that would hit 35 MPH in fourth at 3,000 RPM! Can you say badly rebuilt?!?! Could not get it about 45 MPH at 4,000 RPM with newly rebuilt engine. Probably the reason that panel came with a dual port engine with rod through the top of the case, by doing 55 MPH (national speed limit back then) at 5,000 RPM.
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[EverettB]

I don't know all the details but there were gear changes internally in the center section. I've seen some mention of this in some of my factory literature as a selling point, like "4th gear improved for better freeway driving".
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[thrown_hammer]

Everett,
Would the gears interchange between trannies? Are these essentialy the same as a type 1 swing axles trans just with different length axles and redux boxes?

Eric,
(and possibly Barb) Maybe that 1960 camper had alpine gears in the redux boxes?

General question. Regarding the different gear ratios available in the actual reduction box on the small nuts. Does anyone know how many teeth the gears have for each different ratio set?
_________________
1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey

[Clara]

Yes, the center section is essentially the same as a type I swing axle with the ring gear flipped. Splitbuses came with a higher 4th gear than bugs, though. The crown gears and fulcrum plates are the same. RGB axle shafts are not threaded for aaxle nut like straight axle shafts are. Unless you have complete history of the source vehicle, you cannot be sure what is inside there. The URL in my sig is supposed to have a way to turn the wheel and find out, though.

It could have the stock 4.375(35:8 ) or 4.125 (33:8 ) ring/pinions, or even the later 'FF' 3.875(31:8 )
it could have a variety of first through 4th gears.

actual Alpine reduction gears are pretty rare. Much Rarer than 63 one ton reduction gears, and I've had a wanted ad up for a 63 1 ton stub axle for months, and still don't have it, no contacts even.

Look in online parts list (URL in my sig) for some gear ratios.

[thrown_hammer]

Thanks Clara!
_________________
1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey

[Eric&Barb]

Hi Shawn,
No alpine gears. We took out the fill plugs and counted the top gear teeth to find that they were the standard ones.
As for parts fitting between them. Axles, RGBs, fulcrum plates, are the same. Pretty sure all parts inside swing axle tunnel transmissions can be switched, BUT some parts can not work properly with others.
Unfortunately the interior parts of the center section are often not marked with a part number, so one has to have enough experience to know by sight which part and even which later modified part they are dealing with.
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[WhitewallsJohnson]

[thrown_hammer]

Clara,
I didn't see the info in your WWW?

Also is there any resource that tells me which ratio has how many teeth on the gears? Like 1.68:1 has 19 top teeth and 24 bottom teeth. The proceeding is an example only, I didn’t do any math to come up with that example…Math is hard.
_________________
1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey

[Clara]

[thrown_hammer]

There it is!
Thanks.
_________________
1974 Superbeetle Bright Orange

Keeper of the Titanium Monkey