Heavy-Duty TIG-Welded IRS Control Arm Brackets — Swing-to-IRS Conversion Pockets, Pair | VW Type 1

Heavy-duty TIG-welded IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) control arm brackets — also called IRS pockets — for VW chassis fabrication. Precision-fabricated steel weld-in components for builders 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) and the car becomes 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. The result is dramatically better handling, more predictable cornering, and far better wheel control.

The structural connection 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 can be welded into your chassis in the right location and at the right angle.

Our brackets are TIG welded for full-penetration weld integrity, fabricated from heavy gauge steel to handle the loads of street, off-road, or race-spec IRS systems.

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

Fitment

• Swing axle to IRS conversion on VW Beetle pans
• Dune buggy chassis fabrication using VW-based IRS rear suspension
• Meyers Manx and other kit car IRS conversions
• Sand rail chassis fabrication
• 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

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 to do precision chassis fabrication — bracket alignment determines all your rear suspension geometry, and getting it wrong is expensive to fix.

FAQ

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're not a direct replacement; they're a fabrication component for a substantial chassis modification.

Can I weld these in with a MIG instead of TIG?
MIG welding will work mechanically, but TIG welding produces cleaner penetration and is the standard for high-stress chassis components. If you're MIG welding, use proper technique and weld settings appropriate for thick structural steel.

What's the difference between street and off-road IRS pockets?
Geometry. Off-road IRS 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 just installing these brackets. The Bus rear chassis geometry is significantly different from Beetle — consult with us before ordering for a Bus application.