Swing axle and IRS shockies - same or different?

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 22 Oct 2013, 9:48 pm

#973455

The look identical except for a seemingly wider steel insert in the rubber on the IRS ones. Can I use shocks from a 70s swinger rear in a late 60s IRS bug? I have some brand new Monroe gas assist shocks which I'd like to use if I can. Fronts are the same just not sure of the rears.

Also are the seats from an early 60s bug and the later high backs on early 70s bugs the same runners? They look the same but I see people refer to 6v and 12v seat sliders.

mackaymanx Custom Title Time!

1,611 posts · joined Jan 2006 · 22 Oct 2013, 10:04 pm

#973456

different length, swing axle shocks are too short for IRS

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."

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pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 23 Oct 2013, 5:39 am

#973465

Bugger.

Thanks. Guess I'll sell the swing ones and buy IRS ones.

pod i`ve got to finish this thing one day

4,980 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 23 Oct 2013, 10:04 am

#973480

just check the profile of the runners for the seats and make sure they are the same ,just the later bugs have the back that locks in , as the seats out of my 61 would fit my 69 when i had them both

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Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 23 Oct 2013, 12:21 pm

#973487

Unless you find highbacks from a 68-70 US import which is highly unlikely the runners will be different,
Aus didnt get high backs till after the T rail seats started in 72
Beetles 70 and earlier used the same L rail seats though.

The T rail seats will slide onto L rail runners but its very dodgy and like riding a mechanical bull.

Someone must surely have some converted highbacks sitting in the back of their shed, I remember back in the 90s most early Beetles had Gemini, Corolla, 120Y etc highbacks fitted but now low backs are the trendy thing to have again so there must be heaps of converted highbacks out there somewhere

With the shocks it depends on the brand.
As said the Swingaxle ones have a shorter expanded length but some are longer than others and can be used if you fit the wider bottom bushing.

I've got swing axle KYBs in the back of mine which were just long enough to fit without bottoming out before the spring plate does and I've seen the same done with Cofaps.

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 23 Oct 2013, 12:51 pm

#973489

Might end up keeping the fronts and selling the rears or selling the whole set (they are $400+ retail for the lot). I need new rears for my IRS 68, someone before me has fitted coil over ones (why???) and I want to go back to stock.

Anyone need some new shocks front and rear?

The seats are from an unknown vehicle but they are high backs, brown, with the 2 little "buttons" just under the headrest area.

Can the high back backs be fitted onto the low back bases? I need to recover my seats so maybe time for a comfort update. Whats better - high back or low?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 23 Oct 2013, 2:06 pm

#973492

pfillery wrote:The seats are from an unknown vehicle but they are high backs, brown, with the 2 little "buttons" just under the headrest area.

You mean these ones?

Those are just stock 72-74 Beetle seats.

The back rest of them "may" fit 68-70 bottoms, the latching part is slightly different but might still line up.

Highbacks replaced low backs for a reason and it wasn;t just comfort.
Stopped people snapping their necks when hit from behind by another car.

Be that as it may they still look out of place in an otherwise original pre71 bug but whats more important to you looks or safety?

pfillery Insano Dub Head

734 posts · joined Dec 2011 · 23 Oct 2013, 4:04 pm

#973504

Yep, those ones.

My seats, or at least the drivers side one has a really uncomfortable and dodgy backrest. I need to recover and repad, these seats seem quite sound but I agree, I do like the lowbacks. The car is an untouched 68 auto so really want to keep the look but trying to keep costs down too. Been looking for a used red drivers side seat skin and had no luck. Bottom line is if I buy a red set of seat skins then the door panels will look shabby, so easilly adds up to $650+ all up. Then the roof lining starts to look bad etc etc. and before you know it, no longer an original 68.

Could go black skins for half that cost (car is white so would still fit in) but thought maybe the high back backrest with a seat cover might be the go, or at least the padding. It's pretty hard to find a low back seat cover anywhere these days thats the right shape.

Are high backs like that sought after at all? They need recovering but are sound. Can't imagine they are worth all that much though. May have to unload them and then put it towards seats for mine. But someone I know has honda seats in their mid 60s bug and wants to go genuine again. Don't think they'd suit that either.