{"product_id":"heavy-duty-tig-welded-irs-control-arm-brackets-precision-fabricated-volkswagen-chassis-pockets","title":"TIG-Welded IRS Control Arm Brackets (Pair) | VW Type 1 \u0026 Dune Buggy | Swing-to-IRS Weld-In Pockets","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeavy-Duty TIG-Welded IRS Control Arm Brackets (Pair) — Swing-to-IRS Conversion Pockets\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeavy-duty TIG-welded \u003cb\u003eIRS (Independent Rear Suspension) control arm brackets\u003c\/b\u003e — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Upgrade to IRS, and Why These Brackets Matter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cb\u003eTIG welded for full-penetration weld integrity\u003c\/b\u003e and fabricated from heavy-gauge steel to handle the loads of street, off-road, or race-spec IRS systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Beetle:\u003c\/b\u003e Swing-axle to IRS conversion on Beetle pans.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDune Buggy \/ Sand Rail:\u003c\/b\u003e Chassis fabrication using VW-based IRS rear suspension.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMeyers Manx \u0026amp; Kit Cars:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS conversions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Bus:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS conversion (verify control arm geometry).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Thing:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS upgrade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 3:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eCustom air-cooled VW chassis builds.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose Washburn's Metal?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery bracket is \u003cb\u003eTIG welded\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTIG-Welded Fabrication:\u003c\/b\u003e Full-penetration welds for structural integrity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeavy-Gauge Steel:\u003c\/b\u003e Built to handle street, off-road, and race loads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCorrect IRS Geometry:\u003c\/b\u003e A sound pivot pocket to locate the control arm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold as a Pair:\u003c\/b\u003e One bracket per side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/b\u003e TIG-welded fabrication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e Heavy-gauge steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFunction:\u003c\/b\u003e IRS control arm pivot pocket \/ bracket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eInstallation:\u003c\/b\u003e Weld-in to VW pan or custom chassis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSold As:\u003c\/b\u003e Pair (one per side)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e Washburn's Metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCan a swing-axle pan be converted to IRS?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo these come with the control arms?\u003c\/b\u003e No. This is the chassis-side pocket only. Control arms, CV joints, axles, and the IRS transmission are all separate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill they fit a stock Beetle pan?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCan I weld these in with a MIG instead of TIG?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhat's the difference between street and off-road IRS pockets?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWill these work on a Bus chassis?\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInstallation\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis is a fabrication component, not a bolt-in part.\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/suspension\"\u003eSuspension\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dune-buggy\"\u003eDune Buggy\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-vw-aircooled\"\u003eAll VW Air-Cooled\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44958181851251,"sku":null,"price":245.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/IMG_2976.png?v=1778545463","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/heavy-duty-tig-welded-irs-control-arm-brackets-precision-fabricated-volkswagen-chassis-pockets","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}