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Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:33 am
by JohnCloete
I know I ask plenty questions, and sometimes you guy's might just think I am a moron....... but here is another one
Can Difflock be fitted to a '79 bus gearbox
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 7:46 am
by Sambabus
..........moron.
; )
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:34 am
by JohnCloete
................No Kidding!!!!
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:05 am
by Sambabus
hahahahahaha, call Bugger from Buggers transmissions. He has a banner add on the forum. Also, try private message him.
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:09 am
by fig
Limited slip diffs were always available as an option on ACVWs, under M220.
I don't know whether modern, aftermarket locking diffs can be fitted to ACVWs. I've always been told no when I asked locking diff suppliers, but I don't think they really knew.
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:06 pm
by JohnCloete
ThanX guy's, will be talking to Pierre soon, will let you know the verdict
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:15 pm
by beetlefanatic
The problem will be the center portion of the gearbox where the diff goes. The center portion needs a casting where the difflock actuator shaft needs to enter into the diff section adn obviously where the actuator is mounted. The second problem might be finding a locking diff for a bay window. I think there is an American company doing al sorts of stronger gears and lockers for T3 busses, but they also had stuff for T2 busses. Ican't remember if it included locking diffs for T2s.
Bugger has the center section of a Syncro box with the standard microbus gears fitted. This gives nice ratios for cruising and difflock option when needed. You could always fit a Syncro gearbox but then you need to modify the shifter linkgages. I'm still toying with that idea myself. Oh, and the other problem with that is to find a good secondhand Syncro box. I paid R22k for an exchange unit from Erlemans last year. Secondhand ones don't come up for sale often and then you can expect to pay anything from R10k to R17k.
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 12:33 pm
by JohnCloete
ThanX for the info, so .........????
Can a complete syncro system be fitted to a bay window? Just asking, sounds like syncro parts will cost an arm and an a leg
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 4:28 pm
by Pine
What might be a cheaper alternative (and a bit of a challenge to get right in a Bus) is a dual hand brake lever system. When one of your wheels gets stuck in sand/mud/snow you will find the other (loose) wheel spinning. If you are able to brake that wheel on its own, the power will be transferred to the stuck wheel, and should help to get you out. This was a popular modification for off-road VWs in earlier years.

Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 5:55 pm
by retrovan
Saw a Twin Handbrake lever system on the Samba the other day as an after market part, was sold by an overseas performance site.
Will see if I can find it again.
Herman
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 6:23 pm
by JohnCloete
ThanX Pine, sounds xcellent. Herman, much appreciated man
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:15 pm
by Bugger
Yip as Beetlefanatic said I do have built a 2wd box with Lockable diff for my Doka but it did cost alot even for myself and that is why it is nod done regularly
If I have to build a 2WD lockable Bay window box then the bigest challange will be to find the machine shop that will machine the side of the casing
but I might be able to over come that hurdle
and I have found a post on the net where a bay have been made lockable and I did steel with the Eyes and got alot of info so it seems do able making it work with a Cable from the driver chair
Re: Difflock
Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:37 pm
by JohnCloete
ThanX Pierre, did call today on your cell and then spoke to Johan at the shop
Will call again tomorow
Re: Difflock
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:21 pm
by fig
Re Pine's suggested double handbrake mod: whenever I have a wheel spin on one of my buses, I progressively pull on the stock handbrake and that usually slows the spinning wheel enough to get things moving again. Maybe not a locking diff, but it costs nothing and it works for me.

Re: Difflock
Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:58 pm
by JohnCloete
Was actualy thinking about a steering brake, but your idea sounds just fine