Convert my VW buggy to 4 wheel drive

LutherO

New Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Location
Ohio
I'll apologize up front. I'm not sure if this topic has been covered already and for my lack of knowledge on the subject. I have VW, late 60s, rear engine rear wheel rail buggy. I've been looking into transaxle's and really want to make it 4 wheel drive, but I have no idea what I would need beyond the transaxle. I can't figure out what kind of axel / differential I would need to install up front, would I need a custom drive shaft to fit the buggies current layout (4 seater)? Looking for any helpful tips, advice, places to buy parts, ect.
I use it mostly for trail riding in the woods, almost all 1st gear riding, rarely 2nd gear, so top speed isn't a priority. The engine is 1776cc on a beetle car transmission.
 

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I wouldn't even know where to start. Sounds interesting. Seeing as you're in Ohio, you probably have some good junkyards to plunder through. I would think Toyota and/or Suzuki parts are gonna be the best to use.
 
Doesn’t Subaru have some interesting transaxle type diff setups too?
 
No clue where to start but there used to be a group of guys out of the Elkin/Jonesville area if I remember correctly that ran some nasty rail buggy’s. Pretty amazing where one of those things could go with just a set of 35 boggers on the back and a healthy power plant.
 
IMG_0506.jpg

polaris RZR 1000s come with 32" tires, rear engine, 4x4. check out their drivetrain to see if you could steal any ideas... this image is from proformance.com.au
 
Tricky parts will be deciding if you want to stay with your current engine and if you want to stay IFS/IRS. Going solid axle using samurai stuff would be somewhat easy(er) because with a rear engine setup the differentials can be flipped to go the right direction. A tracker front might be good for an IFS setup to get deep gears.

Are Eurovans front or rear engine? I can't think of other rear engine 4wd drive trains.

Just a couple quick thoughts.
 
mtnbiker4evr13 said:
Tricky parts will be deciding if you want to stay with your current engine and if you want to stay IFS/IRS. Going solid axle using samurai stuff would be somewhat easy(er) because with a rear engine setup the differentials can be flipped to go the right direction. A tracker front might be good for an IFS setup to get deep gears.

Are Eurovans front or rear engine? I can't think of other rear engine 4wd drive trains.

Just a couple quick thoughts.
Click to expand...

eurovans are rear engine, good call. i remember fred buying one on dirt every day and talking about the drivetrain.
 
LutherO said:
I'll apologize up front. I'm not sure if this topic has been covered already and for my lack of knowledge on the subject. I have VW, late 60s, rear engine rear wheel rail buggy. I've been looking into transaxle's and really want to make it 4 wheel drive, but I have no idea what I would need beyond the transaxle. I can't figure out what kind of axel / differential I would need to install up front, would I need a custom drive shaft to fit the buggies current layout (4 seater)? Looking for any helpful tips, advice, places to buy parts, ect.
I use it mostly for trail riding in the woods, almost all 1st gear riding, rarely 2nd gear, so top speed isn't a priority. The engine is 1776cc on a beetle car transmission.
Click to expand...
 
You might do some digging and research the vw schwimmagen. It was a 4wd in low gear only vw amphibious car used in ww2. I did this years back and got ideas for the results I wanted then said screw it and just bought one rather than build one.
 
ScooterR said:
You might do some digging and research the vw schwimmagen. It was a 4wd in low gear only vw amphibious car used in ww2. I did this years back and got ideas for the results I wanted then said screw it and just bought one rather than build one.
Click to expand...
he has not logged in since he made this post 4 years ago.
 
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