I am in the middle of converting my Berrien warrior into a cooler with a 2.4L Quad 4. I figured the output wasn't so ridiculous that I'd need to do extreme modifications to my driveline.(I'm on a small budget). The tranny in it now is a type1 swing which I have no idea what's been done to it. I also have a type1 IRS sitting on the shelf I got with my original baja donor car which I have no knowledge of it's internals. I figure it's a possible backup. According to the documentation I received with my Kennedy adapter all they suggest is possibly upgrading the to 4 spiders on the type 1 and it should handle it.

My question is how realistic is this? And if I need to upgrade what (exactly) do I need to make this reliable without going into debt over it. I am assuming this swing isn't going to last long, and if it goes I will be converting to IRS. However, if I can stay with the swing and still have fun that would be optimum for my budget at the present time.

P.S. We don't have a lot of hill climbing up here in Michigan. The worst treatment would probably be spinning tires at Silver Lake Dunes once in a while with mainly two-tracking in the woods and on road driving.

I need to know exactly what to look for when I start shopping for a replacement; I don't see them for sale all the time in my neck of the woods. Assume I know zilch about differences in tranny types. Please no exaggerating my needs, keep it realistic.I need to be schooled. So much of the information I've gleaned is specific to certain situations it seems. Hopefully I've told you enough about mine.

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I would shoot for a stock 6 rib trans. Installing a 4 spider super diff would be a recommendation. You will need to covert it to IRS with any bus trans and is also a recommendation. You can get away with the stock type 2 CVs if you are going to run stock trailing arms, however 930s are reccommended. If your going to run stock IRS trailing arms a beef up kit is highly recommended. The Samba.com is a great source for all of these parts.

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Water cooled Dry Sumped Subaru Powered Turbo Charged Fuel Injected 2500CC Tank. Oh Rah! He who dies with the most Toys not only wins, He also wears them out!

What is an average price on used 6-ribs and what years did they use them?
thank you for your concise advice!

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6rib will be a bit longer as well, right?

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if you go with a 6rib,I think you also have to have a 6 rib starter..

You can use a 3 rib bell housing on a 6 rib and they run about $600 to $700

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Water Cooled Consortium, Chairman of the Build (Former AC purist)

76 - 79 year models for the standard nose shift 6 rib

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Just Stand On It!!!!

Chris

Thanks for the tips.
No matter how much I try to learn about the transmissions there just seems like too many different variable for me to keep track of. I just know with my luck I'll pick the wrong things and get stuck trying to make them work. Story of my life.
I've never had an IRS suspension, so installing the IRS brackets and such is kinda intimidating since I have no point of reference. Don't know any other VW people around here either. Hopefully I can make it to next winter and do the whole thing then.

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Orange crusher, The 3 and 5 rib bus trans have for the most part the same width and strength gears as the swing axle you have now. Depending on where you intend to ride and what you want to do with it the Swing axle is actually what drag cars run. The axles are very strong but the swing axle is very limited in the amount of wheel travel. It can be converted to an IRS style by changing the diff and side covers. At a bare minimum you should install a super diff.

I have run a 2332CC with a swing axle in my first rail and it made around 150 hp so I think you have some options. As far as welding on IRS pockets invest in a jig (buy or build a set then just weld them on. The trimming of the frame horns is the most difficult part.

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Water Cooled Consortium, Chairman of the Build (Former AC purist)

^
I think at this point I'd be happy to keep the swingaxle as long as I can make it strong enough for just tooling around. I think I've mentioned before how I've barely even enjoyed driving this thing because it has been frought with mechanical problems from the start. I'd be happy just being able to move under my own power even if that meant not shocking everyone with crazy antics. lol

Over the weekend I read up on the Super Diff and that seemed like the way to go. That and a reinforced side plate. Am I wrong in assuming it's relatively simple process to install? (Meaning no special tools.)

Thanks for the advice. I was wondering what was up with the 3 and 5 ribs too and you answered that.

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You will need a good set of snap ring pliers and possibly a dremel tool to remove the side gears if there is a ridge in the housing from normal wear. If you decide to go this route pm me and I can give you step by step instructions.

I think you have the right idea

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Water Cooled Consortium, Chairman of the Build (Former AC purist)

Good deal. Thanks again.
Love this Forum!

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One more question-
When I'm looking for a super diff I have a choice between snap ring and threaded (collar?). Is this something I have a choice on, or will my diff only take one of the two? In other words are these two styles interchangable? Or should I tear apart my tranny to see which I have now before ordering?

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The snap ring style are a bit easier to install, the screw in style are a bit stronger. It doesn't make difference which you choose. The stock diff uses snap rings.

Make sure you get the 2 extra spider gears and washers/ shims for them.

Long Engineering or Weddle are a good source!

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Water Cooled Consortium, Chairman of the Build (Former AC purist)

that's Long Enterprises not Engineering

heres the websites

http://www.longenterprises.com/index.htm

http://weddleindustries.com/

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Just Stand On It!!!!

Chris

I wouldn't throw any money in that swing axle, tool around with it as is.
When you break it, then upgrade to a 5 or 6 rib with the superdiff.
Also practically all 3 ribs have a 10 tooth 1st gear, 5 ribs have the 9 tooth [stronger] 1st gear, 6 rib has 9 tooth 1st gear that is slightly wider than the 5 rib.
Overtime you will be kicking yourself for spending any money on a swingaxle for offroad use!

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