How to put a Vw Bus Transmission in a Bug! | IRS Conversion ep 5

The Baja Bug gets a 3 rib Vw Bus transaxle. Rico Racing.
Lets get to 500 subs! You guys rock!

[@kevinh4631]

Those Ford motors area great! I had a 2006 Zx4 Focus, Loved that motor. Zippy and lots of power. Always thought it would make a great baja motor.

[@ricoracing1646]

im getting excited for sure! ive been working on installing the engine adapter and flywheel but i have the wrong clutch so now its another week waiting for parts…

[@jasonbattiste6300]

Rico, stick with Volkswagen powered, you can't go wrong.

[@bajalarry8738]

Awesome 😎 coming out sweet 🤙🏽 Recommend a cross tube with fabricated tabs to the top 2 holes of that bell housing it will make it much stronger Little bit of blue locktite on the trans linkage bolt so it doesn’t back off ✌🏽

[@ricoracing1646]

thanks for the idea! definitely going to make something like that now, i was a little worried about putting too much stress on the ends of the frame horns.

[@bajalarry8738]

Bro I also recommend clocking or phasing your off road cv ‘s are you going to run type 2 or 930s

[@Tanks-Link]

I have full hydraulic disc brakes, front rear on my buggy, so I do not use the emergency brake handles so I notched them off, smooth with a tunnel and mounted a EMPI 16-2106 well then doom buggy shifter linkage. The kit comes with almost everything you need and it gets rid of all the extra play very tight and easy to shift.

[@ricoracing1646]

thanks! i think i am eventually going to get something like that. the shifter is just a little too loose.

[@MyLife-lg6tg]

It looks like that shift linkage adapter arm is made from aluminum. If you drill another hole below the one that's there it should reduce the throw of the shift pattern. You should be able to do it with a hand drill, but a drill press would work better. Dan S.

[@ricoracing1646]

thanks!

[@danlockwood1300]

I like that mounting kit, but as someone else said, some added bolts into the bell housing would be a good idea. The strap is good, but side plates and bolts would be better. My real question is I'm guessing you're running at least 3x3 trailing arms. "IF" 3x3, which is what I have on my rail, did you use the slots in the mounting plate to make equal length axles, or leave the input shaft centered and ended up with one axle assembly slightly longer than the other? Also, what CV axles did you use, the 002? Nice work! Thanks for the video.

[@ricoracing1646]

i think i am going to run some tubes down to the top of the bell housing and make a top mount, so that the frame horns have a little extra support. as for the axles and cvs… i havent gotten that far yet. thanks!

[@adamUDavies]

I just raised my shifter and shift rod to be exactly same height The shift rod is now exposed which is fine. It shifts perfectly.

[@ricoracing1646]

i think thats what i will do eventually. i just dont really like how loose the shifter feels at the moment.

[@kwaynr1301]

Subscribed

[@ricoracing1646]

thanks!

[@Ratkill9000]

I'll be building an Acme Warrior rail. Was thinking about getting a bus transmission insfead of getting the CV sxle style Bug transmission, because I do not want to use the swing arm style one I curently have. Anyway, which axles are you going to run, the Type 2 bus or the Type 4?

[@ricoracing1646]

not sure about axles yet… i do want to try and custom lengthen my axles just for fun, not sure if i will be able to do it yet, but might as well give it a try.

[@ghettojohnny]

Random question. Whats the difference onbthe 3 vs 5 Rib Transmissions? I've been seeing some videos and they are using the 5 Rib. Thanks for any Info

[@ricoracing1646]

there are 3 rib, 5 rib, and 6 rib transmissions, its referring to the strengthening in the casting of the transmission case. if you look at the side of the transmission you can count the “ribs.” other than that there is a lot of gearing and parts changes year to year that I dont know very much about

[@crazytestpilot9434]

Looks like your axles may be swept back at too steep an angle for most CV's to function properly. You may need to move the trans back a bit. Read up on the subject and geometric requirements. It's not super simple and if you get it wrong you have to redo everything from the trans back. You don't want that, that will make a grown man cry.. Also , find a way to direct couple that shift linkage. What you have there is just wrong. Good luck!!

[@ricoracing1646]

thanks for the tips, they are greatly appreciated!

[@user-lw9wg3yc1m]

Whose dog is that? 😝

[@ricoracing1646]

its the Official Rico Racing Publicity Bear