tranny question

Kurt · Post by **Kurt** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 7:05 am

Does a thing use the early style or late style tranny nosecone and how do I identify if I have to correct trans in my Thing?
Also, my friend is selling his Thing project here in NY and he was wanting to know if ot was acceptable to post here.
Thanks.
Kurt

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 11:57 am

Kurt look at the numbers on the side of the transaxle. If there is an AV there it is a Thing unit.
Also you can learn a lot by looking at the links I put up on Kubelmanns thread 2 more transaxle parts. Its the last post in that thread.
Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 11:58 am

It will have the late 3 bolt nose cone.

Look for the letter code stamped near the frame horn on the right side forward of the differential. All Type 181s sold in the US have letter code AV.

Chris181Westy · Post by **Chris181Westy** » Sun Dec 28, 2003 10:38 pm

My 73 Thing has a 2 bolt nose cone. I think that 73 bugs have the 3 bolt.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 11:49 am

Chris I think you`re correct. My thing has a 2 bolt nose cone. When I put a bug trans in it I had to change the mount to a bug 3 hole.
Kurt by all means have your friend advertise his thing here on our swap and sell thread. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:04 pm

What about 74 Things? They gonna have the 3 bolt nose cone?

Chris181Westy · Post by **Chris181Westy** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:45 pm

I am not sure about a 74. I have had 2 73 Things and they both had 2 bolt nose cones. A 74 might have a 3 bolt. But one can not always count on the changes that happened to bugs also being true for Things.

Jim Andritsakos · Post by **Jim Andritsakos** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:48 pm

I have lots of 181s used boxes and I take a look :

up to 1969 : AK , AL (with LSD)
1970 and up : AU,AV.GA (none with LSD)

All have the early 2 bolt mount

Bob are you still need the heater boxes ?

Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 1:57 pm

I couldn't remember either so I called my F.L.A.P.S. and they couldn't even be 100% sure. The mounts listed in their Thing parts book were 311 301 265B & C, which are both supposed to be for `66-`72 Type III and Type I (2-bolt)...where it gets curious is that `73/`74 Karmann-Ghias are shown as using the `73-up (3-bolt) Beetle mount, and Things & Ghias are supposedly built on the same pan...if true, they must use a different rear torsion housing for the pans destined to become Things.
I used to own a `73 Type III and I can't remember what it had, nor can I find any agreement amongst the online sources I've looked at. Even aircooled.net has an incomplete list that it's not possible to infer an answer from.

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 3:58 pm

I have installed bug transaxles in both 73 and 74 things . Both times I had to use the bug mounts.
Marc I think youre right. I have heard that the thing uses a different torsion housing. I know the bars are different. perhaps thats related.
Jim yes I do still need 411 heater boxes(type 4 with rectangular three hole flange and no fins inside).Same flange as 72-74 bus. Best of luck. Bob Ingman

Post by **Marc** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 4:03 pm

Bob Ingman wrote:I have installed bug transaxles in both 73 and 74 things . Both times I had to use the bug mounts.

You mean the 3-bolt kind or the "1966-1972" 2-bolt style?
If I had a choice I sure wouldn't want to use the big soft late stock mounts (front or rear) for any kind of off-road application, but unless you use an adapter mount the bracket on the torsion housing is going to determine what you have to go with.