can I put a subaru drivetrain on a custom pan on a beetle body

I'd take the chassis completely off measure the wheelbase, contact points, clearances and do the engineering, drawings will be needed of course...many complications....kind 0' a spiffy idea, but will take at least one year if not two to complete....by the time you're done you'll spend a whole bunch of money and end up with something that is going to disappoint and be difficult/impossible to describe to get replacement parts for-----my advise, don't do it, buy one that already has the features that you seek~

If you want a AWD Beetle, put the Beetle body on a Subaru pan.

yes...but you'll need a team of guys....and a lot of beer!~

It sounds like a local forum mod day. A few cases of beer, some burgers, hot dogs, cutting torch and a saws-all. A half dozen guys would make short work of it...

...got to put on the brakes right here, and remind you that VW beetles are the most uncomfortable ride, much like a wartime Jeep only worse and depends on the seat largely for isolation from road vibration~

guess I'm getting olde now and crave the cushiony matressy no roll bar needed feel of a big pillowy american beauty...the 73 fury III was just about it except the sister ran it out of oil....till smokin'~

six-way adjustable bench seat~ we will probably never see this level of wasted engineering ever again~

If they go with the Subaru pan, they'll need the newer Beetle body to cover the front end engine. It will ride like a Subaru as long as the bodies weigh about the same.

There are a multitude of Vanagons out there with Subaru engines retrofitted...I think Kennedy Engineering makes the adapter plates...I've seen Subie based dune buggies, too...with Type IV transaxles.

I love my 2002 VW New Beetle, the leather and all, and oh, the turbo! Comes very handy when merging on the highways. Quite comfy ride, I don't know what some folks complain about. Mine is a snap orange

If you have the money buy a smashed up Carrera 4. Use drivetrain inc gearbox. About 1000 hours work. You can use brakes and wheels also. Not for the faint hearted

I'm actually in the process of building an AWD beetle using a Subaru chassis. I'm recording the process and it's being uploaded on youtube. The picture I have is getting final fitment for the body before I touch the front. https://youtu.be/kyFWBrkgfPg