TIG-Welded IRS Control Arm Brackets (Pair) | VW Type 1 & Dune Buggy | Swing-to-IRS Weld-In Pockets
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Heavy-Duty TIG-Welded IRS Control Arm Brackets (Pair) — Swing-to-IRS Conversion Pockets
Heavy-duty TIG-welded IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) control arm brackets — also called IRS pockets — for VW chassis fabrication. These precision-fabricated steel weld-in components are built for converting swing-axle chassis to IRS, or fabricating custom IRS rear suspension in dune buggies, sand rails, Manx kits, and other VW-based custom builds.
Why Upgrade to IRS, and Why These Brackets Matter
The original VW swing-axle rear suspension is famously prone to unpredictable handling — under hard cornering or sudden braking the rear wheels can tuck under (positive camber), making the car loose and unpredictable. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS), introduced by VW for 1969 on Beetles, replaces the swing axles with independent control arms and CV joints for dramatically better handling, more predictable cornering, and far better wheel control.
The structural link between the IRS control arm and the chassis is the "pocket," or bracket, that the control arm pivots in. On a factory IRS Beetle this bracket is stamped and welded into the pan at the factory. For builders converting a swing-axle pan to IRS — or building a custom IRS chassis from scratch — you need correctly sized, structurally sound brackets that weld into your chassis at the right location and angle. Ours are TIG welded for full-penetration weld integrity and fabricated from heavy-gauge steel to handle the loads of street, off-road, or race-spec IRS systems.
Vehicle Fitment
- VW Beetle: Swing-axle to IRS conversion on Beetle pans.
- Dune Buggy / Sand Rail: Chassis fabrication using VW-based IRS rear suspension.
- Meyers Manx & Kit Cars: IRS conversions.
- VW Karmann Ghia: IRS conversion.
- VW Bus: IRS conversion (verify control arm geometry).
- VW Thing: IRS upgrade.
- VW Type 3: IRS conversion.
- Custom air-cooled VW chassis builds.
Why Choose Washburn's Metal?
Every bracket is TIG welded for full-penetration weld integrity and fabricated from heavy-gauge steel, so it can carry the loads of a street, off-road, or race-spec IRS system.
Key Features & Benefits
- TIG-Welded Fabrication: Full-penetration welds for structural integrity.
- Heavy-Gauge Steel: Built to handle street, off-road, and race loads.
- Correct IRS Geometry: A sound pivot pocket to locate the control arm.
- Sold as a Pair: One bracket per side.
Technical Specifications
- Construction: TIG-welded fabrication
- Material: Heavy-gauge steel
- Function: IRS control arm pivot pocket / bracket
- Installation: Weld-in to VW pan or custom chassis
- Sold As: Pair (one per side)
- Manufacturer: Washburn's Metal
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a swing-axle pan be converted to IRS? Yes, this is a common conversion. It requires cutting out the original swing-axle mounts, sourcing a complete IRS transmission and CV-axle setup (typically from a 1969+ IRS donor), and welding in proper IRS pockets at the correct geometry. It's a major job but well-documented in the VW community.
- Do these come with the control arms? No. This is the chassis-side pocket only. Control arms, CV joints, axles, and the IRS transmission are all separate.
- Will they fit a stock Beetle pan? They fit on a Beetle pan in the location of the original swing-axle mounts, but you'll need to cut out the originals first. They are a fabrication component for a substantial chassis modification, not a direct replacement.
- Can I weld these in with a MIG instead of TIG? MIG welding will work mechanically, but TIG produces cleaner penetration and is the standard for high-stress chassis components. If MIG welding, use proper technique and settings for thick structural steel.
- What's the difference between street and off-road IRS pockets? Geometry. Off-road pockets are often positioned for longer suspension travel and/or different camber/toe behavior than street IRS. Confirm your build's geometry before ordering — for unusual long-travel applications, contact us.
- Will these work on a Bus chassis? Bus IRS conversions are possible but require additional fabrication beyond installing these brackets. The Bus rear chassis geometry differs significantly from Beetle — consult with us before ordering for a Bus application.
Installation
This is a fabrication component, not a bolt-in part. Installation requires cutting, fitting, and TIG welding into your existing chassis, or fabricating a complete IRS rear suspension. Don't order these unless you (or your fab shop) are equipped for precision chassis fabrication — bracket alignment determines all of your rear suspension geometry, and getting it wrong is expensive to fix.