vw beetle IRS rear suspension
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- Drip
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vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Morning all
From what year model did the VW Beetle have vw beetle IRS rear suspension and was it available here in SA?
I've only seen swing axle's before and never a IRS.
From what year model did the VW Beetle have vw beetle IRS rear suspension and was it available here in SA?
I've only seen swing axle's before and never a IRS.
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- dixtoy
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Is a swing axle beetle not technically also IRS? Just not with loose shafts and CV joints
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1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Thanks Pine, is there any aftermarket way to convert it into IRS and (if so) do you maybe know if its locally available?
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
I suppose anything is available, but perhaps it would be the easiest to get a 1302 or 1303 donor Beetle. The biggest problem will probably be to source an IRS gearbox, the whole conversion process is explained here: http://www.bajaclub.co.uk/PDF_Documents/IRS.PDFjohanmarais wrote:Thanks Pine, is there any aftermarket way to convert it into IRS and (if so) do you maybe know if its locally available?

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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
you could also use trailing arms from a 944
Dixon, you are right, but in VW circles, the semi-trailing arm version is referred to as IRS and the one we know as swing axle.
In reality though, they are both independent (IRS)
Dixon, you are right, but in VW circles, the semi-trailing arm version is referred to as IRS and the one we know as swing axle.
In reality though, they are both independent (IRS)
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
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- dixtoy
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
My one beetle was made IRS as by the previous owner, not sure what they used. Will take some picks tomorrow. My box came out of a Fugly kombi and changed by Pierre to stage1 with CV joints
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I'M ADDICTED TO BRAKE FLUID, BUT HEY I CAN STOP ANY TIME
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
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- Drip
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
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'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.
Last edited by johanmarais on Sun Jul 03, 2016 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Will I be right in saying that the 1302/1303 is the Super Beetle?
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
That would be correct, yes. Not to be confused with the South African 1600S curved windscreen Beetle thoughjohanmarais wrote:Will I be right in saying that the 1302/1303 is the Super Beetle?
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Here is one pic I have with me now

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I'M ADDICTED TO BRAKE FLUID, BUT HEY I CAN STOP ANY TIME
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
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- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Thanks PinePine wrote:That would be correct, yes. Not to be confused with the South African 1600S curved windscreen Beetle though
Thanks dixtoy, that photo helps allot.dixtoy wrote:Here is one pic I have with me now
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So what should I look for if I'm browsing the classified sites?
1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)
- dixtoy
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
I would think if you find a scrap type 4 you could use its rear suspension and weld it on to a beetle pan with some modified brackets. What area you in? I have a 412 rolling body with a gearbox that we could talk about should you want to go that route. I'm in Heidelberg GP.
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I'M ADDICTED TO BRAKE FLUID, BUT HEY I CAN STOP ANY TIME
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
1959 Beetle (Lindor)
1975 Fleetline panel (Ouvrou)
1971 Westy (Gypsy)
-
- Drip
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:22 am
- What model do you have?: 1990
- Location: Vanderbijlpark
- Has thanked: 28 times
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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Vanderbijlpark, not that far from you.dixtoy wrote:I would think if you find a scrap type 4 you could use its rear suspension and weld it on to a beetle pan with some modified brackets. What area you in? I have a 412 rolling body with a gearbox that we could talk about should you want to go that route. I'm in Heidelberg GP.
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1990 2.1 Caravelle (Auto)