Can anyone tell me the difference in the drive ratios between a 1200 an a 1500 swing axle box ??
I have searched to no avail and both the idiots and the chilterns are--- unsuprisingly--- devoid of this information.
:beer
Al .

[ Edited on 21-4-2007 by BASHOdi ]

Hi Al:

Aust. "Deluxe/export" 1200 36hp (split case - no syncro on 1st) should be 4.43:1. Not sure if 1200 40 hp used this or when they started... So it depends if you are referring to the earlier type or the later trans. They should look quite different?

Later Aust. 1-piece tunnel case (swing axle) should be 4.37:1. This would be on all swing axle models up to & including 1500 (until first 1600 beetle).

What are the chilterns? (It sounds sort of serious.)

yep, then the 1500cc models got a 4.12

Thanks for that guys--sooooo---the difference between the 1200 & the 1500 is 0 .06 : 1--- why did they even bother changing ? if I've done the math right thats like .075%--I must be doin something wrong here ? tyre wear would account for more than that, anyway onward--the 1500 box I have has written on it in good ole much weathered wreckers white paint is 72 S BUG then AM 159 and --no oil-- it is a swing axle 1 piece case--so any idea what I may actualy have squatin in the corner of my garage ?? I am assured it came of the back of a 1500 is there any other way to identify it ?(the oil bit I get --he he )
:beer
Al.

1500 swingaxle boxes are 4.125:1 not 4.375 :1 as stated above

The early bug trannys had 4.375 , and later which was 4.125.
The difference is 0.25, or a reduction of 200rpm if you were doing 3500 before.

The even later bugs used a 3.875 diff, but this always came with a 0.931 4th gear,
as opposed to the 0.89 that came with the other two.

There are listings which say a 0.82 4th gear came in some bugs and type 3's
but I have only ever seen this in Bus trannys.

Of interest is that some late (mid '73 on) 1300 bugs had a 4.375 diff,
but the lower 0.931 4th gear.
This would scream at highway speeds.

Highway rpm is critical for cooling fan speed,
but depending on tyre size you can swap and change ratios from the varios models(at rebuild time),
to get a more suitable combo for you pleasure.

Yes early splitcase trannys before mid 1960 had 4.43 or 4.375,
with around .79 to .82 ratio 4th, but these were 36hp (or less) cars.

:bounce

Many thanks again guys for the further info-- 4.125 it is then--- good oh --change over time week after next then,
:beer
aL.

Heres a good web page will all the gear box info.
+++>> http://sandlizrd.baja.com/gears.htm 

Looks like the 71 to 72 Type 3 box has the lowest overall final drive ratio. 3.41 to 1

Good news for me is I have exactly that box sitting in the shed as a replacement when the one in for the 911 Type 34 goes bang.

[ Edited on 23-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]


Heres some more good stuff.

Gearbox codes
AA 1200 4.375 From chassis No 0 981 810
AB 1300 4.375 up to 8/70
AC 1500 4.125 Also some 1300 from 8/70
AD 1200 4.375 Limited Slip Diff
AE 1300 4.375 Limited Slip Diff
AF 1500 4.125 Limited Slip Diff up to 8/70
also some 1300 from 8/70
AG 1200 4.375 Type 147 (Fridolin)
AH 1500 4.125 IRS from 8/68
1600 4.125 8/69 - 8/72
AK 1500 3.875 Type 181 Trekker up to 8/70
1600 3.875 Type 181 Trekker from 8/70
AL 1500 3.875 Type 181 with LSD up to 8/70
1600 3.875 Type 181 with LSD from 8/70
AM 1300 4.375 Saloon and Cabriolet from 8/70
AN 1600 3.875 KG with IRS from 8/70
AO 1600 3.875 KG from 8/70
AP 1300 4.375 LSD from 8/70
AQ 1600 4.125 LSD 8/70 - 8/72
AR 1600 3.875 KG with LSD from 8/70
AS 1600 3.875 Type 1 from 8/72
AT 1600 3.875 1303s and Cabriolet from 8/72
AU 1600 3.875 As above with LSD
BA 1300/1500 4.375 Semi-auto from 8/68 - 8/70
BC 1300/1500 4.375 As above with LSD
BE 1600 4.125 Semi-auto from 8/70 - 8/71
BF 1600 4.125 As above with LSD
BG 1300 4.125 KG with Semi-auto from 8/70
BH 1300 4.125 As above with LSD
BJ 1300 4.375 Semi-auto from 8/70
BK 1300 4.375 As above with LSD
DA 1500/1600 4.125 Type 3 swingaxle up to 8/68*
DB 1500/1600 4.125 As above with LSD*
DC 1500/1600 4.125 Type 3 with IRS from 8/68
DD 1500/1600 4.125 As above with LSD

*Note that reinforced swingaxle design was available on post - 8/68 Type 3 models as an option (M263)


Or look here for the original page on pre67 VW site
++>> http://www.pre67vw.co.uk/production/gearbox_codes.aspx 


[ Edited on 23-4-2007 by Grey 57 ]

every time i see one of those g'box code lists i think how much i'd love to find one with a LSD. i don't realy like my chances though.

its amazing how much everyone loves their VW's though everyone would love to change their gearbox ratios and diff ratio if they had the right oportunity (meaning not b*****t expensive) haha

There is a fine tooth 4th gear that may be .880 ratio
but it came with a 4.125 ratio diff I believe.(3.74 final drive)

Anyone else know if this is right?

Dave, is there any way you can tell what the final drive ratio is looking at a crown wheel. Say if you took off the side plate and counted the crown wheel teeth or something???

Yes you can count the teeth and divide one into the other.
But for reference,
3.875 has 31 teeth on the crownwheel, 8 on pinion,
4.125 has 33 and 8
4.375 has 35 and 8.

Cheers for that Dave. Great info.