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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 206
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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 Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 8:48 am Post subject: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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Which model years of gear box parts can be used interchangeably?
Specifically, I need a new differential for my '66 sedan. I need to narrow the search down.
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Lookin' for a wheel stamped 5/66 |
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Bobs67vwagen
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2005
Posts: 874
Location: Eastern north carolina
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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| Since no one answered you I will give you my best recollection and if slightly off, hopefully someone will correct it. My recollection is that around 62 to 66 US bug used the same gearing so in that range would probably be be your best shot. |
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pondoras box
Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004
Posts: 1900
Location: Warren, PA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2025 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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Pretty much anything from 61 to 68 will work. 67 and 68 axle length and end castings are longer but will still bolt right up.
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Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda). https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=563183
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1960 hardtop
1964 hardtop
1965 hardtop (Arschloch)
1973 standard bug (Dirty Gertie)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=804912
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion |
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Bruce
Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003
Posts: 17658
Location: Left coast, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 1:57 pm Post subject: Re: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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| summerof78 wrote: |
| Specifically, I need a new differential for my '66 sedan. |
Do you know if your car has its original gearbox?
If it does, and you only need a new differential, you need to look for one from a 61-66 Beetle trans. Your 66 ring gear is attached using 6 bolts. After 67, they used 8 bolts, so the diff is different.
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| overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
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summerof78
Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2023
Posts: 206
Location: Wichita, Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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| Bruce wrote: |
| summerof78 wrote: |
| Specifically, I need a new differential for my '66 sedan. |
Do you know if your car has its original gearbox?
If it does, and you only need a new differential, you need to look for one from a 61-66 Beetle trans. Your 66 ring gear is attached using 6 bolts. After 67, they used 8 bolts, so the diff is different. |
99% sure, though I haven't scraped off the sludge to get the numbers and verify. It is indeed 6 bolt.
That's the info I needed and no matter how many Google searches I did it wasn't coming up. Their stupid AI was useless.
Anyway, many thanks.
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Lookin' for a wheel stamped 5/66 |
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brian rogers
Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2002
Posts: 157
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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| Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2025 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Swing axle parts compatibility |
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| 62 to 66 are all the same. 67 is unique to 67 with long axel and short splines. 68 has long axel long splines. The difference is the bearing will interchange but axels, housings and bearing caps will not. IF the trans is complete they will interchange. |
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