Splitty info needed

I am looking for a project splitty to join the family and am after a bit of info/advice on years, models, main differences etc....

I know far to much about early bays but very little about splits. I would be restoring it as close to stock as possible, except naturally I will be lowering it.

I know some people change the front beam to an early bay, advantages? IRS - what the hell is that? jargon to me!

Rear windows? what year did they change to the larger ones? Indicators....?

Anything else I should know or if anyone has any links to some useful info .... all would be much appriciated.

Even better, if someones got a fairly straight split in need of a full resto then also let me know!

Cheers


Dozza

Lots of good splitty info at Vintage Bus dot com: Their Bus FAQ section covers most of your questions about years & models etc.
http://66.34.72.138/index.html

IRS = Independant Rear Suspension. That's the sort with two CV joints on each rear axle, so the wheel stays vertical as it moves up and down. The older sort is Swing Arm Suspension, that's where there is only one CV joint on each rear axle (next to the tranny) so that when the wheel moves up it tips inwards (ever see a slammed low bug with rear wheels that are tipped in? now you know why the wheels are tipped in like that).

Dozza wrote:...

I know some people change the front beam to an early bay, advantages? ...

Cheers


Dozza

This is done to convert the split from front drum to disc brakes.

There is a topic about that underway at the moment:

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=41666

mnsKmobi wrote:

Dozza wrote:...

I know some people change the front beam to an early bay, advantages? ...

Cheers


Dozza

This is done to convert the split from front drum to disc brakes.

Early Bays are wide 5 drum brake but were a wider drum as the bays are heavy, thus fitting to a split you gain better stopping power with keeping the drum set up, in 1970 ish they changed to disk brake small 5 stud, also the mounting holes for the beam are different, but can be fitted with some mods, i must add the early beams also sometimes have different beam mounting holes like the disc setup, i have had a few of these in the past

i am currently fitting to my 59 split a 4 inch narrowed/adjustable ball joint beam whith dropped vw small 5 stud 'disk' brake spindles, now that proves that most is possible.

Andy

People are converting back to KLP front beams now that wide 5 disc brakes are available.
Or to go to narrowed adjustable front KLP with Disc brakes, every possible combination is available.
Check out www.creative-engineering.com
Give us a call if you need any info
Cheers
Roy

I.R.S Indepent rear suspenion.

There have been some recent posts about IRS, basically to run a splittie like you would your bay (I've got both), then the IRS improves the handling dramatically. Get rid of the reduction hubs and use an L Bug box. Then you will have something more like a bay ride....you can drop in a bay front beam to get discs up front...however depending on the year of the donar, depends what other stuff you'll need to do as well.

I have and Indian front adjustable beam, rear IRS and a few other gadgets to go with it on mine, and it's great. There are other shops that do similar like CBB. No ads please. I run drums and early bolt patterns, and it works just fine, though some people think disks are the be all and end all, depends how you drive, how fast, how far etc., I guess.

If you're used to a bay, then do think about IRS and lowering it a tad, with stiffeners, you'll like it more, or at least I have.

It's not cheap, I think CBB drive-in drive out IRS is over $3,000.00. Then there's the adjusters etc., L bus box and such, so not a 'cheap' option if you have to go to a shop. There are DIY kits though.

Also consider than a split is far more vintage, and parts are harder to get at times, so ultimately they will burn a bigger hole in your pocket than a bay.

There's a ton of stuff on the web about splits, so I'm giving my option on my experiences in Australia, having splits and bays. Of course others might not agree....whatever....just don't jump into it, Splits are very very cool, but quite different to a bay, which in turn in no T25/3 or a T4. A samba restored will cost as much as a brand spanking T5 I'd wager.....

Welcome to the land of spits.....it's all good.

Give a mate of mine Steve a call 0400 356 057, he has a few splits forsale...