I have a 1970, 1500 Beetle with 4 bolt wheels.

The swing axle gear box jumps out of top gear and I'm going to get an older swing axle gear box to replace it. The problem is that the replacement gear box has the wide 5 pattern.

I will need to convert the wide 5 to 4 bolt.

Is it a matter of swapping the brake drums?

If not where will I need to do the swap from? All the way back into the gear box or at the outer bearing fitting?

You advice will be greatly appreciated.

the drum itself is interchangable,(have had wide 5 on irs stub previously) id imagine internals should be similar but couldnt be sure, got a drum of each? wack one on & check it out

You will have to swap more than just the drums,the axle length on the early swing axle box is different,so you will have to swap the axles,tubes and rear brakes (including backing plates)to the other box prior to fitting.The ratios are slightly different but still work okay.

yep as per above you can swaps the axles n tubes and brakes but the ratios will be differnt