AirSpeed VW Community Forums

Technical => Chassis & Suspension Forum => Topic started by: Chris on December 05, 2005, 08:48:18 PM

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Chris on December 05, 2005, 08:48:18 PM

I am considering keeping my 70 Westy and was thinking about converting it to disk brakes with my the suspension components from my 76 bus, swap the beam, swap the rear end or convert to disk brakes, possibly consider swapping my type 4 motor into the westy.

I think the front beam conversion will be easy as I have done a beam swap before, whats involved in the conversion of the rear, also thinking about getting my hands on a porsche 5 speed tranny to put in there instead. The 70 is solid so I want to do some good with this bus.

Your thoughts?

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Needles on December 05, 2005, 09:01:38 PM

whatever

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Chris on December 05, 2005, 09:09:35 PM

Why do that when you can have it all? I will ALWAYS have an ACVW !! One bus and my beetle for sure! Kids, they fit in a beetle and a bus....

Anyway.


 

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Needles on December 05, 2005, 11:01:23 PM

:mellow:  

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Chris on December 05, 2005, 11:18:26 PM

I know, and back to the questions I posted...

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Hansk on December 27, 2005, 09:18:12 AM

Quote

I know, and back to the questions I posted...

So I'm sure the beam swap is straight forward , does the 70 have vacuum brakes?
The rear should be even easier , possibly just swap hubs and drums or at most backing plates too.
The motor is another story, I know it's been done but I'm thinking it may be easier to convert a type 4 motor to type 1 or 911 cooling than convert the engine bay to the type 4 tin configuration.  :blush:  

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: BUSDADDY on December 27, 2005, 02:58:42 PM

Theres some difference about the 74 & up beams, I can't recall but I think they won't fit an early bus, width issues on the frame rails I believe. I think it's possible to just put the late arms etc. on the drum beam but you still need a brake booster.
As for the back there's different wheel bearings in the small 5 hubs, never compared the two so I can't say but it's probably easier to swap the whole unit. you'll need a rear wheel alignment after.
The type 4 swap looks like it could get messy back there, VW changed a lot of mounts and structure to make it fit, I agree with Hans about the upright cooling conversion.
It almost sounds easier to find a 72 or newer bus if you really want dics and the type 4 motor.
 

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: Hansk on January 01, 2006, 11:50:30 AM

Hmmmm , I know the 68 only ball joint bus beams fit split busses but I assumed everything after that was the same. Anyone know for sure?  

Title: Type 2 Conversion
Post by: BUSDADDY on January 03, 2006, 09:54:53 AM

Since I'm going by what I had been told I went and measured an assortment of beams from 66-78, they are all 29.5\" between mounts, HMMMM... VW went to the heavy brakes sometime in 73 and that's when I was told the beam size changed. Is the wheel track wider? Busses started to get the flares on the front doglegs in 72 so maybe the were starting to make room for it. Can't compare the bolt patterns on the frame so I guess we need to hear from someone who has actually done it.