Question about 944 Arms and axles

[DWP]

New to this site.
I am working on a modified sandrail frame. This is NOT for off road.
Plans are to lower for street use only.
Porsche 1.7 engine until i finish the 2.0 build.

I picked up a set of aluminum arms from a 1986 NA 944 with 5 lug rims.
Have to pick up the spring plates this weekend.
Shocks are no problem as I am making upper shock mounts.

Here is the problem. What length axles do I need?
At this time I have a 3rib bus trans. Considering a 5 speed in the future.
When switching from a type1 trans to a bus requires the use of Thing or Porsche 944 axles 16 1/8" verses stock 16 5/16 length to keep the ends from mushrooming.

Any ideas??

Dave

[evilC]

When I fitted the alloy arms to the bug with a standard IRS box all I needed was the 944 standard length driveshafts that do have a reasonable amount of float built in. That float is around 1/2" so you may get away with them if the bus trans output flanges are not too much further apart. It somewhat depends on the amount of suspension movement you expect.

[Wally]

Welcome! Where are you from?

Friend of mine has a rail (fugitive iirc) too with 2,4 ltr type 4 for the road. Crazy machine and quick as h*ll round corners too.

Originally Posted by evilC

When I fitted the alloy arms to the bug with a standard IRS box all I needed was the 944 standard length driveshafts that do have a reasonable amount of float built in. That float is around 1/2" so you may get away with them if the bus trans output flanges are not too much further apart. It somewhat depends on the amount of suspension movement you expect.

I agree. You can also use the Vanagon T3 axles, they are virtually equal length and also have the 100mm CV's on both sides.
Only if you retain the T1 gearbox will you need to swap CV's (not all fit on all axles) or swap the flanges on the tranny for 181 flanges that have 100mm output sides.

[DWP]

Thanks for the help. I.m not sure but I think I have the early narrow arms.
As soon as I get the spring plates I will bolt them up and measure the distance
The problem with the length is not having the ends hitting the inner case and mushrooming out.

I,m north of philadelphia PA in the states.
Plans are to make this street legal.

Dave

[NO_H2O]

Welcome Dave. Lots of info to be found here.
We just built a "Street" rail. It is lots-A-fun. We stuck with the type 1 transaxle (Rancho Pro Street). It was nice not to have a body in the way when it came time to mount stuff like intercooler, etc. Should make for a fun project.

[DWP]

I got the spring plates mounted and it looks like I have 21 1/8 between the insides of the flanges. I assume the vanagon 21 1/2 axles will fit.
Just for anybody that is doing this getting the rubber bushings off the old
spring plates is a Pain in the A.
Take a torch and heat the inside of the housing. Until you can pop the rubber off. Then burn the rest of the old rubber.
my driveway smelled like the start line of Pinks all out.
Dave

[jmd]

Dave,
I too did this for both my spring plates as well as my trailing arm bushings...
It was gross and messy...
Worked real good though.