• Eric
  • Member
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  • Registered: 2010-07-11
  • Posts: 43

Topic: Swing axle to IRS swap

Hi, I have a 1968 ghia with swing axle, and I also have a 1970 ghia parts car. Someone told me that I should take the IRS off of the 1970 and put it onto my 1968.

They said it would be easy with a simple weld on bracket.

Should I bother? Is it that much better? Orshould I just stick with what I have?

Thanks again everyone, all your hep has made this project possible!

.

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

you can switch the whole pan. But they  do make a weld in bracket to convert to IRS.

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • Eric
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  • Registered: 2010-07-11
  • Posts: 43

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

The 1970 is rotted out, and mine is 100% solid, so I'd be using the weld in bracket,,,

as far as a plan, it's not that I don't have one, it's just that along the way people suggest things to me so I want to know if it's worth it,...  is it worth switching to IRS? or is the difference negligible?

thanks

1968 VW  Karmann Ghia Convertible
  • TomB
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,088

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

I'd stay with the swing axle. The IRS was a "USA Special" because of the lawsuits related to handling from US drivers who didn't know how to handle oversteer. 68 should use the "Z bar" to control the rear axle tuck-in, and really handles well. The Ghia has a lower center of gravity and handles fine anyway. Once VW stopped importing to the USA they stopped IRS, but continued making the swing axle version for world markets where they still sold Beetles.
My 2000 & 2001 Beetles still have the 68 rear suspension, including swing axles, and are fine.
The bracket welding, getting them aligned and such, isn't a snap, and involves cutting holes in the horns to fit properly.

  • From: somewhere over the rainbow USA
  • Registered: 2006-07-26
  • Posts: 1,882

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

Some people swear by either. I personally like swing axle. Been driving them so long I don't like the feel of IRS
But as TomB stated, not a walk in the park to convert with the weld in brackets

burrhead

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows public opinion.
  • Registered: 2008-02-09
  • Posts: 10

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

Eric,
Just read an article on this swap in the latest issue of Hot Vw's magazine (Sept. 2010).  There is a jig available from Pacific Custom's to line up the IRS correctly.  Like TomB and Burrhead said,  it isn't as easy as "line it up and weld".  The guy in the article test fitted and cut over 20 times (for one side). 
Hope this helps.

John

  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Swing axle to IRS swap

bugnut2 wrote:

The guy in the article test fitted and cut over 20 times (for one side).

Ouch, that's a lot of cutting!
I would not bother converting to IRS unless I was building a track rat (they do handle nice). Only big advantage I can see aside from handling is that it's easier to swap the trans on an IRS.

Paul