vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Forum rules
If its not ACVW related, post it in Off Topic.
If its not ACVW related, post it in Off Topic.
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Might be a silly question but is the type 4 floor pan the same as the Beetle?
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
-
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 15033
- Joined: Sun Sep 18, 2005 5:54 pm
- What model do you have?: Oil on the driveway
- Location: Wilderness
- Has thanked: 231 times
- Been thanked: 233 times
- Contact:
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
A type 4 has a monocoque chassis (like a Jetta), not a loose floor panjohanmarais wrote:Might be a silly question but is the type 4 floor pan the same as the Beetle?


-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Guy, I'm still "deurmekaar"
I'm browsing the classified site but can't seem to get anything.
Is there a way to identify the 1302 or 1303 just by looking at photos, or is it more a case of go and look for myself?
Also, is the VW Beetle 1600 SP the 1302 or 1303?
Thought I'll share my trike Subaru dyno with you
Here is the youtube link https://youtu.be/Vc7zjFdKmzE
I'm browsing the classified site but can't seem to get anything.
Is there a way to identify the 1302 or 1303 just by looking at photos, or is it more a case of go and look for myself?
Also, is the VW Beetle 1600 SP the 1302 or 1303?
Thought I'll share my trike Subaru dyno with you
Here is the youtube link https://youtu.be/Vc7zjFdKmzE
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- Tony Z
- Donor
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
- What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
- Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
- Has thanked: 192 times
- Been thanked: 488 times
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
the 1600SP is not a 1302 or 1303
you are probably not finding anything because there isnt anything to be found. In all honesty, I dont think that there are more than 30 in SA.
You can tell the difference from a normal one by the slightly different bonnet, different rear fenders (if they havent been replaced) and the easiest is the 4 stud wheels, not the big PCD 5 stud that is normal.
You will have an easier time taking the semi-trailing arms off a Porsche than finding a 1302 or 1303.
Or you could import.
you are probably not finding anything because there isnt anything to be found. In all honesty, I dont think that there are more than 30 in SA.
You can tell the difference from a normal one by the slightly different bonnet, different rear fenders (if they havent been replaced) and the easiest is the 4 stud wheels, not the big PCD 5 stud that is normal.
You will have an easier time taking the semi-trailing arms off a Porsche than finding a 1302 or 1303.
Or you could import.
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
- Merlin
- ACVWSA Junkie
- Posts: 6124
- Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:46 pm
- What model do you have?: Various
- Location: Cape Town, ZA
- Has thanked: 20 times
- Been thanked: 39 times
- Contact:
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
If you'd prefer a ready-built bug, you could always make me a very healthy offer on my IRSed '67...johanmarais wrote:Guy, I'm still "deurmekaar"
I'm browsing the classified site but can't seem to get anything.
Is there a way to identify the 1302 or 1303 just by looking at photos, or is it more a case of go and look for myself?
Also, is the VW Beetle 1600 SP the 1302 or 1303?
Thought I'll share my trike Subaru dyno with you
Here is the youtube link https://youtu.be/Vc7zjFdKmzE

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, and oversteer, the rear.
Hp is how fast you hit the wall, and Torque is how far you take the wall with you."
Hp is how fast you hit the wall, and Torque is how far you take the wall with you."
sled wrote:well obviously the UK is wrong.
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Thanks Tony Z
Sjoe, just about 30 off them, no wonder I can't find any.
I've been looking at the Porsche trailing arms, the 944 was mentioned but they two are hard to find.
Sjoe, just about 30 off them, no wonder I can't find any.
I've been looking at the Porsche trailing arms, the 944 was mentioned but they two are hard to find.
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
It's the "healthy offer" that worries meIf you'd prefer a ready-built bug, you could always make me a very healthy offer on my IRSed '67...

1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- Tony Z
- Donor
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
- What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
- Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
- Has thanked: 192 times
- Been thanked: 488 times
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
the US aftermarket has trailing arms
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDet ... tCode=4495
at a guess, this set will cost you around 8k incl delivery to your door
You wont get a Porsche set for much less
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDet ... tCode=4495
at a guess, this set will cost you around 8k incl delivery to your door
You wont get a Porsche set for much less
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Thanks, I'll look into the aftermarket has trailing arms
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- beetlefocus
- Oil Leak
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:02 am
- What model do you have?: 1977 beetle1600l
- Location: durban
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
johanmarais wrote:Thanks for all the info(s)
I'm playing around with the idea of a Subaru swap with Subaru gearbox.
I've done an EJ25 swap onto a Beetle box before on a trike and I'm in the planning stages of a new build and would like a Subaru swap with gearbox swap into a Beetle.
I also would love to go this route, however I fear the cost of conversion.
http://www.subarugears.com/Pricing/Pricing.html
That pricing is excluding buying a subaru gearbox.
Anyone know of a cheaper 5 speed alternative?
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
A cheaper option surely will be welcome.
I've heard about a Audi gearbox swap and then turning the gearbox upside down.
Can't remember if this was on a bus or Beetle
Not too sure how its done.
I've heard about a Audi gearbox swap and then turning the gearbox upside down.
Can't remember if this was on a bus or Beetle
Not too sure how its done.
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- retrovan
- Donor
- Posts: 8710
- Joined: Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:51 pm
- What model do you have?: 52T1,68FB,72Bay,75FL
- Location: Eich! no, in Jefferys Bay
- Has thanked: 421 times
- Been thanked: 541 times
- Contact:
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Really no need to go to 5th gear, as most 5th gears are the same ratios as normal 4th gear.beetlefocus wrote:johanmarais wrote:.........................Anyone know of a cheaper 5 speed alternative?
More Gears give you an option of reducing the engine size, so you can run in the power band, thats why trucks have anything up to 50 gears.
If you want highway speed, make sure the engine is at full power, and fit a longer 4th gear into the box, (contact Bugger)
And fit bigger tyres to the back.
My fastback runs at 140 with ease, and my Fugly Bus runs at 120 all the way to Cape Town.
Have fun
Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
- Tony Z
- Donor
- Posts: 15008
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 8:33 am
- What model do you have?: 2.3L 69; 1302; P/Van
- Location: Klipheuwel (near Durbanville), Cape Town or working at sea
- Has thanked: 192 times
- Been thanked: 488 times
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
5th gear in a bug would be handy to close the gap between 2nd and third. But as Herman says, if you have the power, you dont need the gears.
There isnt an easy conversion that I have ever heard of.
There isnt an easy conversion that I have ever heard of.
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!