SWB to LWB conversion questions?
 

I have a 68 shell. I know I need lwb quarters and trailing arms to start the conversion. Do I need to swap out the rear axle cross tube and the cross member(where the shocks bolt to) for 69 or later ones, or will the 68's work properly with the longer arms?


Thanks

Shelby Pruden
Memphis, TN

Shelby

I've done this on my '66. You will need to replace rear quarters, trailing arms, spring plates and the torsion tube. The only reason I did it is because the PO had the rear quarters done already and then gave up. Replacing the torsion tube is not fun. The spring-plate inner bushings on the SWB and LWB have different ID and OD so you'll have to work your way around that.. You will also have to reroute the rear brake lines and replace the emergency brake cables. As far as I know the cross member is the same.

It is not worth doing it IMO. Others on this board have told me this several times and in hindsight (always 20/20) I should have just cut out the LWB rear quarters and replace them with SWB quarters.

Martijn

A '68, even with a reasonable restoration, would be worth more in original condition. Replacing the torsion bar tube is THE most major surgery you can do to a 911. Front and rear track are different between SWB and LWB.

Unless the '68 is a complete basket case you might look around for a LWB donor car-- it will be a LOT cheaper and faster in the short term.

Thanks for the info guys.

I plan on picking up pieces for it slowly here and there as they come up for sale cheaply here and on ebay. I also plan on bending and welding an IROC roll bar for it.

It just seems wrong to let it die, however I will not spend too much to get it usable.

I have 3.0rs track car ideas for it.

Worse case scenario: I sell it off or tube frame it.

Shelby