I need a good swing arm beetle gearbox

I have a madison kit car running a worked 1600 type 1 engine and need a gearbox. I have been told I should look for one out of a 70's model Volkswagon L but am not sure if this is correct. It is a swing axle type but I don't know if there is any difference between the Vw L & S models.. Can someone help me out???

Also what difference is there between the 1300 1500 and 1600 model gearboxes??

if its a swinger (single joint on the gearbox side of the axle) you want 50s 60s box
IRS is the 70's (joint in the axle on the gearbox side & wheel side)
S bugs have dual side plate IRS gearboxes
SOME L bugs have single side plate boxes, as do some type 3's i believe
IF it is a swinger, and you have access to welding gear & are somewhat competent/know someone who is, you can convert to IRS rear fairly easily

if your near brissy i have a mystery dual side plate IRS box, mystery as ive never driven it, car came without engine
and another that is your average box from a car thats done 10000000000000000km's

ok I need a gearbox out of a late 60's model, I now have been told that there is a 6v and 12v model, can the 6v model be modified to suit the 12v and how hard is this to do?

GpMadison wrote:Also what difference is there between the 1300 1500 and 1600 model gearboxes??

the differential ratio is different...

4.375 to 1 or 3.88 to 1 ?? 4.125 to 1 ??

180 or 200mm clutch etc..

[6 volt or 12 volt ]?

from memory....

but if You have a swing rear axles and won't be able to use a gearbox from a Super beetle without major modifications...
You would be able to use a 1500 gearbox ..
which is what You may have...

cheers

LEE

GpMadison wrote:ok I need a gearbox out of a late 60's model, I now have been told that there is a 6v and 12v model, can the 6v model be modified to suit the 12v and how hard is this to do?

I was a bit slow with My last post...

early beetles are up to 1967** in Australia are 6 volt

late beetles started in 1968** in Australia are 12 volt..

I'll let someone else tell what You need to do as I haven't actually done one..

LEE

PS: nothing is impossible.... just a darn site harder....
**VWs model year not actual years

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Get a 70s model but just make sure that it is swing axle and not IRS gearbox 👍

You can tell the swing arm gearboxes...
they usually have the axles connected....

the IRS gearboxes have the axles unbolted near the gearbox..

OK on a 1970s [1968-69-70+] gearbox [swing arm]

and I presume Your vehicle is a 12 volt...

the L or 1303 beetle gearboxes have the 3.88 rear end ratio
which is good for lowering the engine revs at speed..
But they are ONLY IRS...
so, major modifications are needed... IMHO.. lol

Your Diff ratio may be 4.375 or 4.125 to One...

You may be able to find a swing arm gearbox from a 1974 non super 1300 beetle.. that was about the latest..

after installing the gearbox I recommend a bottle of PRO-MAR Moly additive... it works great... stops wear...
similar product would be MOLYBOND...

I would also renew the rear gearbox/engine mounts..
and gearbox and engine seals... for good luck

cheers

LEE


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you need to find out what mounts your current gearbox has

if you have a 1600 engine i wouldn't recomment fitting a pre 67 gearbox unless you like shifting gears like a mack truck.

someone sent you on a bump steer with the Lbug box.
All Lbugs were IRS and single sideplate so you cant even put a swinger diff and axles in them
you can get swing axles from the standard model bug which dont have the strut front end from 68 to 75 but the 71-75 1300 boxes are geared pretty badly for a worked engine
and the 73-75 have a different front mount but this can be swapped.

best box to look for would be a 68-70 1500

I have a really good 1970 1500 Beetle swing-axle transaxle for sale in Adelaide if you are in SA. It would definitely fit the bill, but I would have to take it out of the car first!

GpMadison

where are u at as it may be cheaper in the long run to get yours overhauled

only purchase a box that you can test drive so u know its good otehr wise u will be doing the job twice