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T3 bus 5 speed into a beetle?

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OberonViking Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Mar 2008 ·

#806359
Has anyone put a T3 gearbox into a beetle?
I am thinking (dreaming) about this for my baja because the first gear is very low, and 5th is about the same as 4th (in my bay at least). I think it would make a good gearbox for a baja.
1970 Baja - waiting in the paddock for some TLC.

mackaymanx Custom Title Time!

1,611 posts · joined Jan 2006 ·

#806363
5th would be about the same as 4th because VW considered these as a four speed + crawler gear. The gearshift will be a problem as they are a side shift box.
Quote of the week
"Do I wish to send them to you again, nope, no interest can't be bothered really, to much hassle for little or no return."

[IMG]https://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-18600.png[/IMG]

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#806364
the thing with a gearbox conversion, is that it will cost more then your whole vw 🤪
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#806369
OberonViking wrote:Has anyone put a T3 gearbox into a beetle?
I am thinking (dreaming) about this for my baja because the first gear is very low, and 5th is about the same as 4th (in my bay at least). I think it would make a good gearbox for a baja.
here you go its just what you want.
http://aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=86273
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

OberonViking Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Mar 2008 ·

#806386
Thanks for the links and advice.
The baja is swing axle and I thought to upgrade for offroad fun.
I'm after a second hand, stock, VW gearbox. The subigears look great, but I don't think it fits this application.
The T3 bus has a very low first gear to help that bus take off with a load. I think this would be great in a baja for some really challenging offroad climbs.
I would like to get a type 4 engine to go with it - so the gearbox won't have to handle the many horses that a subi engine would provide, nor will it have to deal with the weight of a laden bus.

But if it is going to be too difficult to get it to work in a beetle... well, that is what I want to know...
1970 Baja - waiting in the paddock for some TLC.

vwjon Fahrvergnugen

914 posts · joined Jul 2006 ·

#806408
the bug box gear shift rod goes in thru the nose cone, the bus box shifter is mounted on the side of the box, to make that work would be interesting to say the least, then to water proof it (you will be going off roading in the wet?) will be a night mare, especially if you need to keep the shifter rod up to avoid fowling on rocks etc.
it would be a hell of a challenge, but dont let me stop you!
3 1959 cadillacs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs

OberonViking Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Mar 2008 ·

#806410
Excellent - that is what I wanted to know.
Idea canned. Thank you.
Perhaps, as you suggested Jon, a bug box rebuild and modify would be a much better option.
1970 Baja - waiting in the paddock for some TLC.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#806412
They are starting to use these tranny's in buggies in the states, I think there's merit in it. I'm pulling one out tomorrow, do you want me to measure it??
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#806415
I've got photos on my other computer using these gearboxes with a tunnel shift. Uses a couple of brackets that make sense when you see it
65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

OberonViking Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Mar 2008 ·

#806419
For myself, I was hoping to hear that it required a different nose cone and bell housing. Maybe different mounting points.
Sounds like it is a whole lot more hurt that just that.
But, if you're pulling one anyway it would be interesting to hear if it would physically fit under a bug.
1970 Baja - waiting in the paddock for some TLC.