Making a Straight Axle Kit

vwdoublecab1966 · Post by **vwdoublecab1966** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 7:49 am

I am trying to find any information about making a Straight axle kit at home. I have most of the parts needed. All I need is to find out how much and where to lengthen the axle tubes. Joe56vw replied in another post that said,
"you can use any tranny even a bus one just have to flip the diff. as for alxe tubes they have to be bug 64' down and need to be lenthing 30mm then you need 67' axles
"
This is a great start, but before I start cutting and welding it would be great to know where to add the 30mm. Also what needs to be done to the spring plates for the conversion. At one time someone had a page about doing this, but I have lost the link. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jeremy

vwdoublecab1966 · Post by **vwdoublecab1966** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 12:55 pm

That would be great. I'll be looking forward to seeing it.

Jeremy

rizzag11 · Post by **rizzag11** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 9:20 pm

straight axle kits are 1-1/8 longer 61 to 66 axle tubes, i perfer to add length under the endcasting for strength. they take 68 bug axles or 66 to 68 type 3 axles. if you try do do it with 67 axles and try to use stock rims the tires will hit the spring plates before you can bolt on the wheels.

ntchbak · Post by **ntchbak** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 11:39 pm

Hey, my brother and I made a kit for his bus about 12 yrs. ago> I think he even still has a template(copy of a bus boys) of how you need to shape the spring plate; which I think if I remember right is a non-IRS type3. I'll have to ask him and repost a reply.By the way we cut and welded the axle tubes where the boot goes over them.

ntchbak · Post by **ntchbak** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 1:11 pm

VWdoublecab, I'm working on getting my hands on the template to make a copy of it, and the other lenght width and parts info. ntchbak@aol.com

type2guy · Post by **type2guy** » Sat Feb 22, 2003 6:22 pm

If you get the templates and info, maybe there's a way to get them into computer land and then I could host it all at my website. Of course giving credit to whoever made them. That way they'd be were everyone could get to them from now on.

Let me know what you think.
http://www.type2guy.com

Erik G · Post by **Erik G** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 10:36 pm

wow alask, that is VERY good!

alask · Post by **alask** » Sun Feb 23, 2003 11:47 pm

http://home.no.net/jhu/
klikk on the pic of the bug
then klick on the pic of the bus.
now there is a lot of norwegian writing
go down until you see HER in blue in the text
klikk it.

------------------
boble er ikke bil det er en livstil

alask · Post by **alask** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 10:30 am

yup!
we Norwegians aren just cold in the winter!
We stay inside and make stuff!

ntchbak · Post by **ntchbak** » Tue Feb 25, 2003 8:30 pm

I now have the template for the swing axle(type3) conversion. The axles stay the same as the Type3, the tubes are the same legnth as the original Type3 but they need to have the smaller short axle tube end castings. So what we did was take a small pair and and the Type3 tubes cut and welded them together to the original length. What I don't know is how long to make the little tubes that take up the slack in the E-brake cable. We used all Type3 Braking system with the wide five Type3 drums. But you can use the bus stuff I think if you have the drum nose machined off I think aprox. 3/4 of an inch. Maybe someone else here has insight into some of this. I do also have a template of the spring plate for the IRS conversion (bus boys or wolf gang style. As for posting the template someone else would have to probibly help I'm not quite computer literate enough yet. Hell, I've been trying to get the digital photo thing down to post my custom Type3 sub frame and 901 Porsche tranny install I'm almost done with. Just a little bragging, I suck.

Eaallred · Post by **Eaallred** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 4:32 pm

I've got a question about the straight axle conversion.

Are the axle tubes for 67 or 68 T1 a direct bolt on to do the conversion? Or no matter what axle tube you get, you will have to modify it?

Thanks

------------------
Eric Allred
64 Bus
64 Bug

[This message has been edited by Eaallred (edited 02-26-2003).]

ntchbak · Post by **ntchbak** » Wed Feb 26, 2003 7:58 pm

No the axle tubes are the length of a type3 but have the smaller short axle end castings on them. Your fitting them over the type3 axles so they have to be that legnth but for shock location they need the bug ends on them is what I understand

Eaallred · Post by **Eaallred** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:56 am

Okay, I see what you're saying.

If it is basically so that the shock mount is in the correct location, wouldn't it be easier to make an adapter for the shock to mount to?

I'm just pulling this out of the air, as I don't have a long axle trans and a bus straight axle trans to compare it to.....

------------------
Eric Allred
64 Bus
64 Bug

ntchbak · Post by **ntchbak** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 3:34 pm

I really don't know how big the difference is but it really wasn't that hard to make them just a little cutting and welding. Then the geometry is right on. The difference has got to be enough to make the new tubes cuz everyones kits have them.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Thu Feb 27, 2003 10:39 pm

Damn Alask..didn't put any work into that did ya? Very nice! Long winter huh? Ray