I couldn't find any more info on it anywhere. Its a prototype and a brazilian one at that so i don't think much was documented. Looks a bit like a standard gearbox casing cut down to just the diff housing. One of my mates was making a 4wd 1303 for rallycross years ago and and he used a diff from an old lotus elan.
I love this thread too. All I want is to share my thoughts and what ever I really feel when I see this beauty. A lotus diff is an option if its compact,interesting. How did he manage to install axle shafts to a 1303 hubs? Did he swap the entire front system?
This is quite an interesting thread. Making a 4wd bug: http://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=114030 Syncro box is a monster compared to bay box so uni ball might be the only option. Its definately gonna get in the way of the torsion bar tubes: You could always weld in the t25 rear x-member and use the whole rear suspension too.
The BMW diff is pretty and can be installed with no difficulties. I think the prototype has a front differential from a syncro. Great info of the 597 ,I didn't know there was a production of a vehicle like this from Porsche. Thanks for that Zebedee. The last gearbox is a beast indeed . Many conversions may be done, I guess its up to any of us which route would like to take. The link at stf is interesting too, I have to read it hopefully at fall. I really wanted to upload some interesting pictures of the interior. I was wondering where the first aid kit is supposed to be hooked until I found at vw bus dyndns a manual of where is the original mounting position. Here is the bracket installation procedure of the First aid box: And a photo of the first aid kit installed: There is also a bracket of the fire extinguisher attached right at the heat column,if anyone has any info or a photo of this part please upload it. I am pointing the photos above not just because I am too sad of not seeing it at the prototype in the museum( Photo below)but because its a part of the history of Type2. Some photos of the front seats: I like the upholstery material that has been used. Some photos of the rear cabin: The side pillows look a bit curved and thinner at the top,not parallel. Maybe its the style or to many people wanted a ride and the shape just stayed there. lol Another interesting part of this baby that I would like to point out are the top mounted gauges: Safari another prototype, 2wd though, has them installed too,here is a picture: And the article from a 1979 magazine MOT. Also the Safari has a helphos search light and the 1584cc Red/White 4WDer has a helphos on too. I have seen the Red/white prototype on a video from a syncro meeting that took place at Mammut Park. If someone knows of which video I am talking about and has the access to upload it please do so. Thats what I like the most of the 4WD baywindow,the excitement of the unknown and solving the puzzle.
Ahh the safari is a vehicle im very interested in especially the front mounted winch How can a winch so small and not attached to the chassis rails pull a bus out of sticky mud Was it only intended for pulling animal carcasses? Any more info on the safari would be greatfully recieved
topaz, the syncro used the front gear box from the prototype, not the other way around. Those front seats are the same as in my T25 with the adjustment finger lever on the side. From 1980 T25 brochure: The gauges are just standard VDO ones from the vw/audi range. I think i've got a link to the bundeswehr manual showing the fire extinguisher/first aid kit etc. I'll have a look. paradox, i'll bet money on there being some hidden extra reinforcement fitted that the winch attaches to. I've seen T25s with winches fitted that have an extra crossmember welded in behind the front panel (in the spare wheel tray).
Bundeswehr manual from 1978: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/12_78_bundeswehr_german.php 1984 german army manual: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1984_Bus_German_Army_Manual.php Fire extinguisher bracket: Safari prototype looks cool
I think the bus belongs to a Swiss club that collects old military vehicles or to a collector that attends to meetings of old military vehicles. I cant really find the link of those photos,I guess they have been removed. I used to locate them under t2 4wd at google images,no recent luck though. Its identical,no questions of not being an original unit. As for the winch of the safari I am curious also of the attachment to the chassis. What king of a winch is that,I cant find a similar one. All I can find are just bulky ones.
I suppose the winch could be mounted like this: Superwinch make some small winches but they are only 1000lb pull ones suitable for pulling boats onto trailers etc. You'd probably need a 5000-8000lb pull winch to unstick a truely stuck van.
That bracket is superb, is it an original option ? I did find a superwinch S5000 thanks ,the size is OK ,the price a bit steep. I found an unusual wild conversion from a T3 to T2 VW Bully T2 G (Syncro) - Allrad und Differentialsperren Test Thanks to Corné Coetzee a VW Syncro enthusiast for the video below. The person that describes the capabilities of the 4WDer is one of the major members of the Latebay Syncro Team Mr. Henning Duckstein. I just wish a VW magazine could manage of getting an interview from Mr. Henning
Just found out some useful facts. Renault made a 4wd version of the 21 and 25 with the UN1 gearbox which has a diff that can be flipped side to side to allow it to be used in a rear engined vehicle. Its also got a removable bellhousing so with an adapter a stock bus bellhousing can be added. Might be a cheaper option for a 4wd conversion than the syncro stuff.
Those bash bars look a little flimsy to me, though i suppose it depends on the wall thickness of the tubes. Heres a t25 syncro for comparison (modded for 5 cylinder audi engine): Para, the ones topaz put a link up to are ideal. They are from a VW technical manual called Modifications for Journeys under difficult conditions: http://wetwesties.tripod.com/switch.html As the front gearbox mount is the one thats gonna got hit first it needs the most protecting. The grill style sump guard will doa decent enough job at protecting the case fins without restricting the airflow too.
