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Lost in Space
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2012
Posts: 133
Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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 Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2023 6:34 am Post subject: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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So, after 2 decades of owning this EZ Camper, I need to decide what to do for a driveline update.
The plan is a 12 volt dualport of around 70 HP with a torquey feel. I intend to have a solid all day 55 MPH bus in all conditions except steep mountain climbs.
I would prefer to eliminate the gear reduction boxes, but, want to remain stock height and ground clearance.
I believe type 1 transaxle could do the job, yet I hear you lose ground clearance when you go that route due to the reduction box loss.
I know a '67 transaxle and boxes would work, but hope to lose the reduction boxes anyways.
I dont want to grind out a 6v transaxle for a 12v flywheel.
What are todays options ? Thanks !
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pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12570
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2023 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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IRS and stroker motor. 
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Lost in Space
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2012
Posts: 133
Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:40 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| pyrOman wrote: |
| IRS and stroker motor. |
The problem is I was told several years ago that the IRS conversion back then resulted in a lowered ride height.
Is there some sort of IRS conversion today that leaves you with stock ride height ?
Thanks.
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pyrOman
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Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12570
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:35 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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I did mine back in ‘08. Ended actually about an inch higher than with the RGBs. However, I used bay bus IRS, not the type 1, and it’s no “kit”! I had to figure out how to do it but had a good idea from an article in a UK magazine which used the same set up. I did write a thread on the project but the pictures are gone! They were saved in our club’s deadsite which apparently it finally went ashes to ashes dust to dust. 
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283411&highlight=irs
I’ll have to dig up the pictures and upload them here. 
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Lost in Space
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Joined: June 09, 2012
Posts: 133
Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| pyrOman wrote: |
I did mine back in ‘08. Ended actually about an inch higher than with the RGBs. However, I used bay bus IRS, not the type 1, and it’s no “kit”! I had to figure out how to do it but had a good idea from an article in a UK magazine which used the same set up. I did write a thread on the project but the pictures are gone! They were saved in our club’s deadsite which apparently it finally went ashes to ashes dust to dust.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283411&highlight=irs
I’ll have to dig up the pictures and upload them here. |
Now that would be great !
Yes a few guys did something like you in the Tampa area nearly 20 years ago. Was ALOT of fab work.
Sadly, I dont have that option. It needs to be somewhat a bolt in conversion as I have no real shop, just a small old garage.
Welding in torsion tubes and big fab welding is out of the picture for me.......no shop capable or skilled enough nearby either.
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pyrOman
Fire Master
Joined: July 21, 2003
Posts: 12570
Location: Over 2002 posts deleted!
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Lost in Space wrote: |
| Now that would be great ! |
Check out the old thread again!
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Eric&Barb
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Joined: September 19, 2004
Posts: 26288
Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 12:04 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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Then gear the transaxle up, and keep the RGBs. Do a search for "Freeway Flier" and do the research. You can easily get 58MPH @ 3,000 RPM in fourth.
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PDX db
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Lost in Space
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2012
Posts: 133
Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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Thanks.
Where can I find a web address for them ?
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Teeroy 
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Joined: April 20, 2003
Posts: 3896
Location: Eastern WA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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No reason to remove reduction boxes for the cruise speed you want and wanting stock height. If you like the way it drives now, just adding the bigger engine should do you well. Wagenswest also sells a bolt in IRS kit. What's the problem with clearancing the bell housing for 12 volt? It's a 10-15 minute job and then switch started bushing or self supporting starter.
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Teeroy
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Joined: April 20, 2003
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Location: Eastern WA
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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PDX gave you Brian's web link in his post
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Lost in Space
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2012
Posts: 133
Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2023 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Teeroy wrote: |
| No reason to remove reduction boxes for the cruise speed you want and wanting stock height. If you like the way it drives now, just adding the bigger engine should do you well. Wagenswest also sells a bolt in IRS kit. What's the problem with clearancing the bell housing for 12 volt? It's a 10-15 minute job and then switch started bushing or self supporting starter. |
My gear reduction boxes are worn out bad, and I hear they suck up horsepower besides.
Cost to rebuild em isnt worth it for my needs.
Stock height for off pavement adventures, a modest 70 HP dualport, normal revs at 55 MPH on the flats is all I want.
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Clara
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Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12662
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:04 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Lost in Space wrote: |
| Teeroy wrote: |
| No reason to remove reduction boxes for the cruise speed you want and wanting stock height. If you like the way it drives now, just adding the bigger engine should do you well. Wagenswest also sells a bolt in IRS kit. What's the problem with clearancingj the bell housing for 12 volt? It's a 10-15 minute job and then switch started bushing or self supporting starter. |
My gear reduction boxes are worn out bad, and I hear they suck up horsepower besides.
Cost to rebuild em isnt worth it for my needs.
Stock height for off pavement adventures, a modest 70 HP dualport, normal revs at 55 MPH on the flats is all I want. |
Stock height, drive 55-60, use stock one ton RGB gearing. No freeway flier. Whoever said the boxes suck horsepower was confused, what they do is reduce the gearing. And stock gearing w the boxes is designed for the driving you are asking for, and bolts right in. KISS.
If you don’t want a ground out bell, use a 67 center section.
My two cents.
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Lost in Space
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Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:16 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Clara wrote: |
| Lost in Space wrote: |
| Teeroy wrote: |
| No reason to remove reduction boxes for the cruise speed you want and wanting stock height. If you like the way it drives now, just adding the bigger engine should do you well. Wagenswest also sells a bolt in IRS kit. What's the problem with clearancingj the bell housing for 12 volt? It's a 10-15 minute job and then switch started bushing or self supporting starter. |
My gear reduction boxes are worn out bad, and I hear they suck up horsepower besides.
Cost to rebuild em isnt worth it for my needs.
Stock height for off pavement adventures, a modest 70 HP dualport, normal revs at 55 MPH on the flats is all I want. |
Stock height, drive 55-60, use stock one ton RGB gearing. No freeway flier. Whoever said the boxes suck horsepower was confused, what they do is reduce the gearing. And stock gearing w the boxes is designed for the driving you are asking for, and bolts right in. KISS.
If you don’t want a ground out bell, use a 67 center section.
My two cents. |
Im quite aware I dont want a geared up " freeway flyer " situation.
I also know the gear reduction boxes do suck up some power to the wheels......I have been in a bus both before and after they switched to a similar final gearing with a type one IRS conversion while using the exact same engine. It felt like adding a few HP for sure.
Problem was it dropped the ride height quite a bit. ( He was intending to do that ).
No what Im looking for is SLIGHTLY higher overall final gearing compared to stock '66. Retain stock ride height. And eliminate the RGB's.
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Eric&Barb
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Joined: September 19, 2004
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Lost in Space wrote: |
| I dont want to grind out a 6v transaxle for a 12v flywheel. |
Then install a 200mm clutch flywheel with a 6 volt ring gear. Then use the 6 volt starter with 12 volt starter solenoid so the starter pinion gear does not slam the flywheel gear. With the 6 volt starter on 12 volt system it will start with a fast crank in the coldest weather!
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Lost in Space
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Joined: June 09, 2012
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Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:01 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Eric&Barb wrote: |
| Lost in Space wrote: |
| I dont want to grind out a 6v transaxle for a 12v flywheel. |
Then install a 200mm clutch flywheel with a 6 volt ring gear. Then use the 6 volt starter with 12 volt starter solenoid so the starter pinion gear does not slam the flywheel gear. With the 6 volt starter on 12 volt system it will start with a fast crank in the coldest weather! |
Nope.
Engine will be a stock flywheel 12v dualport mated to some sort of 12 volt size transaxle. No mix and match frankenmods.
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Lost in Space
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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Anybody here with hands on experience that took a 6v swingaxle out of a split window bus and swapped to a '68-'71 IRS bus system ?
Im sure its been done many times, but my question is what are the difficult parts of the swap if you dont have a full blown fab shop ?
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Eric&Barb
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Joined: September 19, 2004
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Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:20 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Lost in Space wrote: |
| Anybody here with hands on experience that took a 6v swingaxle out of a split window bus and swapped to a '68-'71 IRS bus system ? |
No, but it is too long to fit into the earlier bus. Plus that would not pass your frankenmod bus rule.
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Lost in Space
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Location: Bug Infested Forest, next to the REZ
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 7:24 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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| Eric&Barb wrote: |
| Lost in Space wrote: |
| Anybody here with hands on experience that took a 6v swingaxle out of a split window bus and swapped to a '68-'71 IRS bus system ? |
No, but it is too long to fit into the earlier bus. Plus that would not pass your frankenmod bus rule. |
Well, that rules out a '68-'71 into the split bus idea.
Back to type 1 trans ideas.
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BonTonRoulet
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| Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2023 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Idea's for transaxle / driveline on '66 |
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I've been rolling with a factory replacement single port 1300 engine with 1600 jugs kadrons a single quiet pack exhaust with a stock 6 volt 180mm flywheel 6 volt starter 6 volt solenoid on 12 volts in my 66 bus with a 67 transaxle/ reduction gears for the last 30 years and 55mph isn't out of the question, actually 45-52 is the sweet spot and if I'm in a hurry the bus ain't my ride of choice.
That's my opinion. You asked, I won't argue.
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