BUS Trans Into A BUG (Ep. 3 - Detailed installation video)

[@philipbearly6620]

Nice to see someone do a good fit up. So many just cobble it up, screw it up, give up, and sell it to some one who had to correct it. Side note: the pups love to have their faces rubbed with leather gloves!

[@thebinderbuilder]

Yes, I noticed that there were extremely few people that did full installations. That's what prompted this video and started my channel. Thanks for the comment and encouragement!

[@cbdzcbdz]

Are you going to be using rear torsion springs with the longer rear trailing arms? I'd recommend installing a adjustable center section for the rear torsion springs. Too bad there would be a conflict with the trans. mount.

[@thebinderbuilder]

No, I'll be running torsion bar eliminator and using Coilover shocks.

[@busterstravels1534]

Thanks for a great video. Love your dog also…

[@thebinderbuilder]

Glad you liked it! Yeah Meila (the dog) is a great pup... thanks for commenting

[@busterstravels1534]

Meila reminds me of my faithful buddy Buster. 👍

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@busterstravels1534 must have been a great pup.

[@busterstravels1534]

Yeah he’s a great buddy he does everything with me but funny he doesn’t like being in the garage. I like how Meila hangs in the garage with you. 👍

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@busterstravels1534 she likes the cool floors...

[@sandjunky3650]

How's your shift rod working out? I'm finishing the same kit, trying to find out if there's any tips for the shift rod adjustment

[@thebinderbuilder]

I was in Cali last month and stopped into Kartek. While there, I talked to 'Buritto Boy' and he had some good pointers on how to run the shifter. I have not yet ran mine yet so I can't help right now... hopefully soon

[@Musickfreakbrown]

Thanks for sharing (even the little hiccups especially) looks nice. I can’t tell when you put the transaxle in, how much clearance from hitting at the close points around the horns and front? 1/4” or so?

[@thebinderbuilder]

What area are you worried about, I'll go measure it for you..

[@ShawnSmith-uy3zr]

I should've clarified in my last post. I know that a bus trans can be installed. But do the gear ratios, trans internals need to be changed or modified for street use

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@ShawnSmith-uy3zr From what I understand, no re-gearing is necessary. However the bus transaxles may have different gearing, most notably they have different 4th gears, which may effect your top speed. I would consult a trans shop for options. But you can simply run it as it is.

[@paulfrancis5728]

I would make a steel plate to fit over the top of those cut outs to add some strength.

[@thebinderbuilder]

Which cut outs? I did plate the ones around the CVs

[@paulfrancis5728]

@@thebinderbuilder yes you reduced the strength in that area all the weight of the engine hangs on that structure that's why I suggested the loop plate over the top of the cut out the plate you put in halved the thickness and profile I'm in engineering for many years I'm 66 years old cheers mate

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@paulfrancis5728 indeed. I appreciate your feedback. The plate I used for the cut outs is at least .125" plate. I'm also a little concerned about strength so I am considering using 2" tube (cut in half) to reinforce the bottom of the horns on top of the plate I already used. The biggest reason, or perhaps it's a justification, for not adding more strength is that I'm going to mount the motor to a robust engine cage that will tie it to the chassis via the cage structure I'm going to build. My plan is that the cage work and engine cage will support the engine/trans more than the frame horns. But still, great points. I'll definitely take another look before bolting the pan back under the body!

[@danlockwood1300]

Just about to do the same thing, only with a 5-rib bus transaxle. I've heard that "sometimes" the motor is NOT centered in the rear cradles etc. Are your axles the same length with this kit from side to side? I'm going to run 002 CV's and axles, not the 930's like yours. I may not have to clearance the frame tubes for the inner CV joints, time will tell. Nice job!

[@thebinderbuilder]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video. I was hoping to provide a good reference for folks and it's nice to know people appreciate the time. To answer your question, I have not noticed it being offset to o e side or the other. I could be wrong, but I don't see it.

[@JohnnieBarnes-u6n]

Nice I have been wanting to do this for many years but I don't weld. Now that you have worked out all the do"s and don't would you be willing to do it again for my bug and if so what would you charge

[@thebinderbuilder]

I might just sell you my pan instead!

[@ShawnSmith-uy3zr]

Can a bus trans be used in a street bug?? I know that a bus trans is stronger

[@thebinderbuilder]

Yes, they can.

[@porsche928ireland]

Will the bus reduction boxes fit with a stock transmission?

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@porsche928ireland I don't have any experience with those, sorry. Thanks for watching!

[@ThriftMachine]

Harbor Freight baking soda blaster does wonders on older aluminum if you're ever in there again.

[@thebinderbuilder]

Thanks for the tip! Are you taking about using it as a sandblast media or mixed up and brushed?

[@ThriftMachine]

@@thebinderbuilder blast media, its great stuff, doesn't hurt the aluminum, heck it can strip varnish off wood without hurting it. Reasonable price too

[@thebinderbuilder]

@@ThriftMachine cool. Thanks for the tip

[@jareddehart9107]

What does using this bus transmission do? All I can see is that it handles a bit more HP than the stock trans. Is that it?

[@thebinderbuilder]

Good question! I'm no VW expert, so I can't tell you all the advantages, but I will tell you why I chose to use one: Strength. From why I've gathered, Bug transaxles are small and have small gears, smaller shafts (input), smaller ring and pinions and smaller cases. And from what I've gathered, bus trans are up-sized in about every department. I could be wrong, but the consensus is that if you want to run more power or bigger tires, the stock bug trans are not up to the task and wear out fast...even when built. I went with the 6-rib (091) over the 3-rib (002) bus trans because I associate ribs with strength and stiffness oeven though I understand them to run the same size R&P). There is a 'better' bus trans (094) that came in the vanagons (and touts a real normal size reverse gear) but this will do for me. My Baja will run a minimum of 35" tires and a Honda V6 powerplant, so the transmission I end up with will be fully built with Weddle gears, Super Diff, 930 CVs, etc. Sorry I'm not an expert, but I try to listen to the people who've 'been there, done that'

[@jefferybuchan4235]

Cutting out the semi circles can be done with a cheap skill saw, I prefer that to a grinder. That said, the way you did it worked for you.

[@thebinderbuilder]

Yeah, you're probably right. I was trying to work with what I had... Thanks for commenting, I'm glad to have you along!

[@diprizzle]

that’s a nice video i saw you had some trailing arms in there as well have you done a test fit on those yet do you have a way for messages besides this comment section

[@thebinderbuilder]

My Instagram account is TheBinderBuilder ~ where I post progress pictures, as well as on FaceBook.

[@thebinderbuilder]

I have not installed the 3x3 trailing arms yet

[@dodgeplow]

Instead of grinding the bolt head, maybe you could look into socket-headed bolts

[@thebinderbuilder]

It's a little late for me now, but I'll definitely keep that in mind!