Short or long axle?

FOR SWING AXLES

To determine which axles you have measure the splined portion of your axle, not including the threaded portion for the nut.  If the splined portion of the axle measures 2 inches then you have the short axle.  If the splines measure 2 1/2 inches you have a long axle.  You may need to know this if ordering disc brakes or axles.

Longer axles came on the 1967 and 1968 bugs and the Type 3’s.  The 1967 long axle used a shorter spline where the brake drum rides than the 1968. The brake spline length on the 1967 is the same on the 1966 down. Both the 1967 and 1968 have the same wheel base though.

1968 was still swing axle rear end. 1969 has IRS. Up to 1966 were short axles and short splines, 1967 long axles short splines, 1968 long axles long splines.

1965: short axle short spline swing axle, five lug link pin front end.
1966: short axle short spline swing axle, five lug ball joint front end.
1967: intermediate axle long spline swing axle, five lug ball joint front end.
1968: long axle long spline swing axle, four lug ball joint front end
1969+: IRS long spline, four lug ball joint front end

The drum measurement is approx face to face.

Long spline drum 2.5 inches
Short spline drum 2 inches

If you look at the ends (cast iron) of the axle tubes you can tell the difference between the long and shot axle tubes. There is only a 1 1/4″ difference. The 1 1/4 inch difference is measured between the outside backing plate mounting flange and the inside of the spring plate mounting flange. Short axles measure 4.875 inches on that dimension.