Inadequate cv axles?

[JagerDanger]

Several months ago I bought a pair of CV axles for my future project, they are 1977 VW bug axles so Type 1. However after doing more research on what I want to build, I'm wondering if maybe I bought the wrong ones. I guess these axles only give a couple inches of travel. The axle itself is only about 16". I'm going to be doing a trailing arm rear suspension and I'm questioning if my current axles will give me enough travel, or if I should get longer shafts to help or just buy different axles all together?

[makenzie71]

How are you getting power to the axles?

[JagerDanger]

Debating between using a Miata diff with the ring gear replaced with a sprocket and welding covers over the holes over the torsen limited slip. But more than likely it'll just be a regular spool with no differential. Still not sure on the engine yet (debating on the Rebel 250 or a Ninja 250 for the engine), going to use a 60 tooth sprocket on the axle side and use the lowest tooth on the engine (hoping 11 tooth).

[makenzie71]

Okay so it’s going to be a fairly small buggy. I would think the 16” axles would adequate but no you’re not going t9 get a lot of travel out fo them. Maybe 8” of swing...possibly 10...reliably. 12 if you really push the setup but you’re getting closer to breaking stuff here. Which really isn’t too shabby if you’re tslking about a 60” buggy

[JagerDanger]

I wanted to keep the overall width about 60" from outside of the tires. So wheel travel would be about 8" up and down correct? So 60" wide, and about 90" long is my overall goal. It might get larger or smaller, but I am drawing it out on graph paper at work.

[darwinpayne2000]

I remember reading on the DesertKarts website (I believe) where he talked about Type 1 CV axles. He stated that you can get 8 inches of travel, no problem and that you can push them to 9 inches without issues, but don't go any more than that. The alternative is to use Type 2 CV joints on the Type 1 axles. However, you will also need new cups, etc to match the joints, so it's basically starting over.

Based upon the description of your buggy, I would go with the Type 1 CV joints that you already have.

[JagerDanger]

Thank you. How is wheel travel calculated exactly, is it how many inches upward and downward added up or is it like 8 inches up and 8 inches down?

[makenzie71]

Wheel travel is full swing. From stop to stop.

[jimmyg]

With the right spring rates that's a fair amount of travel. Combine that with a big wall tyre and it will soak up some bumps fine. Just maby keep the you air time down to a foot or two only. Lol

[JagerDanger]

I'm not one to jump things. I have more brains than money unlike the morons who wreck sxs on YouTube.