Gearbox swap

[Pete B]

I am sure this topic has been covered many times before, but hey, lets do it again!
I am wanting to increase the final drive ratio to give a higher cruising speed, the usual way is to fit a 1302s/1303s gearbox. I was under the illusion that this was a straight forward swap, but now hear talk of 'conversion kits' for around £400.
Could anyone tell me which box is best, what might be included in a 'kit' and any other relevant info please.
By the way, my bus is a '68 running a stock 1600 single port for now, hopefully going to a 1776 in the future.
Thanks very much,
Pete.

 

[Guest]

there are several boxes that will do the job but by far the easiest to get hold of is the AT coded 1303s or GT beetle box. I got mine for £50 but you would be looking to pay around £200 for one on VZi etc.

the kit consists of the hanger, and bowden tube extension, some bits and bobs and two new drive shafts to fit the gearbox, Tim at RHR sells the kit for £295 (price could be higher now, im not sure)

 

[Mac]

Can't you use a 2 ltr box to give a better final drive and are they a straight swap for existing bus boxes. ?

Or are they hard to find or something ?

 

[EgoTrippin]

the kit consists of the hanger, and bowden tube extension, some bits and bobs and two new drive shafts to fit the gearbox, Tim at RHR sells the kit for £295 (price could be higher now, im not sure)

I have this in my bus with a 1302 box Pete and its well worth it, even with the 1600SP. Increased my top speed by 15-20mph
Can't wait to get up to a 1776 though

 

[Araon]

For a straight swap, fit a 091 6 rib box, late bay or a early T25 with a late bay nose cone as long as the shifter is on the nose cone if its into the case then walk away its not worth the hassle....

 

[Guest]

Can't you use a 2 ltr box to give a better final drive and are they a straight swap for existing bus boxes. ?

Or are they hard to find or something ?

rocking horse poo, and if you do find one probably upwards of £300+

 

[Pete B]

Thank you all for your help and advice/information. Think I have a solution, but all these gems of info are now stored for future reference, you just know the same question will be asked again soon!

 

[hogseye]

why do you need a kit all i done was modify my original front hanger fit some bug cv joints to the bus drive shafts on gearbox side and job done. Its great for motorway crusing but **** up steep lanes in cornwall :lol:

 

[Guest]

why do you need a kit all i done was modify my original front hanger fit some bug cv joints to the bus drive shafts on gearbox side and job done. Its great for motorway crusing but **** up steep lanes in cornwall :lol:

i didnt think it was that simple fitting a bug box into a bus? dont you need a different clutch cable, the hockey stick needs and extension due to the shorter bug box? dont you need to swap clutches? i assumed the drive shaft were of a different length or toothing as well?

 

[ianscooby]

Dubberdaz has plans on how to do the conversion with a beetle box, the intention is to use my bus as the test rig so over the winter I'll be doing this conversion. If all works it's hoped exculding the box it would cost around £100-150.

 

[hogseye]

No it was as simple as that, the only other thing i had to do was change the little bracket that supports the cable on the side of gearbox , its held on with 1 bolt instead of 2, the clutch from memory is a 200mm clutch. I've used it for 3 years now no probs including going to germany and spa, plus cornwall and iom, using 1641 with webber carb gives good fuel economy 8)

 

[Guest]

did you fab a new hanger and was it tricky?

 

[cunning plan]

No it was as simple as that, the only other thing i had to do was change the little bracket that supports the cable on the side of gearbox , its held on with 1 bolt instead of 2, the clutch from memory is a 200mm clutch. I've used it for 3 years now no probs including going to germany and spa, plus cornwall and iom, using 1641 with webber carb gives good fuel economy 8)

OMG, Excusive information!!!!!

 

[ianscooby]

why do you need a kit all i done was modify my original front hanger fit some bug cv joints to the bus drive shafts on gearbox side and job done. Its great for motorway crusing but **** up steep lanes in cornwall :lol:

Is your bus lowered as I understood that fitting the original shafts was a problem unless you were lowered???? as they are 14mm too short

 

[hogseye]

why do you need a kit all i done was modify my original front hanger fit some bug cv joints to the bus drive shafts on gearbox side and job done. Its great for motorway crusing but **** up steep lanes in cornwall :lol:

Is your bus lowered as I understood that fitting the original shafts was a problem unless you were lowered???? as they are 14mm too short

lowered a fraction on the front but going back to standard over the winter, not lowered at rear but has a **** load of devon interior and camping gear :lol:

engine going back in after oil cooler blew up just before bus types

nice day out locally

stopped at brighton last year for a couple of days on way back from cornwall

next time i get the bus out i'll take a couple of pics underneath

 

[faux]

Having looked at the kit, it does seem a little more complicated than just changing the bracket, but I haven't done the change myself.

I know Gadget has done it without the kit so may be worth asking him.

The idea of the kit is to make it easy, all the parts you need and no welding skills required :lol:

No different to narrowing a beam/dropped spindles etc, it is a cheap job if you have the tools and the knowledge. But if not you buy off the shelf parts and DIY :mrgreen:

I would love to see a how too on this.

 

[pete nice]

Anyone gone any more info on this? If I keep my bus, it's gonna get one.

 

[fredster]

I thought any 60/70's bug gearbox would be an improvement as don't they all have taller gears due to being lighter vehicles with smaller wheels?

Would be nice if there was a way round trying to find a 2 litre bay box, I've been looking for ages.

Edit: just searched on VZi and came up with this thread:

http://www.volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=412338&highlight=beetle+gearbox+bay" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

... where 63Ragtop, a well respected engine builder, states " They really don't fit and are not really strong enought for a bay...But if you wanted to have a go...you would have to make a cradle to support and mount the box, modify the vans gear linkage as the gearbox sellecter is in a different place. Also the output CV flanges are different."

 

[slammedresto]

ive put a 6 rib 2ltr box in mine. Few simple mods required but quite easy really. Box was £300.

 

[pete nice]

Has that made it drive much better with a 2.0l box?