Rear IRS Suspension options

[greggl4321]

What are some rear IRS suspension options?

How much travel from 1 inch longer trailing arms?
does this require new axles and cv joints and everything else?

I heard going with 3X3 arms is likely to cause transmission problems, is this true?

Is there anything one can do to protect the bug body?
(crumple zones/bumpers that bend instead of an impact bending the frame)



Going to build a daily driver, one which I can occasionally hit a dirt path with. I like the idea of long travel. Thinking I can have a budget Baja bug if I just build up the front, or avoid the use of coil overs.



Thanks

[tobiism]

Have you been through this thread? Tons of reference for you to read through.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123315&sid=68855f870b888e103bc392be39265059

Also do you have the Jeff Hibbard Baja Bugs and Buggies book? That answers a ton of your questions.

There's nothing wrong with asking questions but this forum does not get a lot of traffic anymore and most of the questions you are asking have been covered hundreds of times here. The search function will shed a ton of light on your quest.
_________________
"There has never been a genius without a hint of madness."
-Albert Einstein

[greggl4321]

Nope, I didn't find the information I was looking for in there. Could someone help please?

[TeamChili]

How much of a lift are you looking to add?

[greggl4321]

Were open to the idea of some lift if the stance is wider

Just the questions I am asking, please.

[Vanillagurilla]

Imo 1in longer isn't worth it and I've never heard of 1" over rear arms. You could notch the spring plate a little for more down travel, cut off the stock shock mount on the trailing arm, weld double mounts on the top of the trailing arm and mount the shocks just inside the wheel well to the cage.

[Dark Earth]

[Vanillagurilla]

Are you building a car that has to meet the class requirements or a play/ driver? The travel problem that I see on my car with the travel is the bump travel. I can put 600lbs on the back bumper and the bump stops aren't even close to the stoppers, I think it's the shocks bottoming out before the arms hit the stops. You can notch the plate for a bit more down travel but as far as bump travel you will need taller shock mounts as the stock mounts won't support enough shock travel.

[Dark Earth]

[Vanillagurilla]

The issue with the stock length shocks is that when there fully extended at max droop (on the spring plate stop), when they compress the shock bottoms out BEFORE the bump stop hits. Longer shocks on the stock mounts make this worse. If I had a bender and a decent welder I would have moved mine already, I have a set of stock boxed arms with double shock mounts welded to the top of the arm. My issue now is that I don't know what length shocks I need without taking the torsion bars out and cycling the suspension

[Dark Earth]

[dirtkeeper]

[greggl4321]

Thanks for the responses.

I have heard that notching the spring plates causes compromised durability. Any word on this?

Could swear I read that longer axles and stuff weren't needed for 1" over arms. How sick do one inch arms look, any pictures?

Ive heard stock arms are really strong and that the longer one goes the more prone the arms are to breaking.

Just how much weaker are the 3x3 trailing arms? I'll likely be running 1600cc motor.

Any more info on upgrading stock rear irs? Ive heard bad things about notching the spring plate, good things about smaller trailing arms, and good things about travel.

Hitting things is likely and why ill likely have a skid plate, just wondering if certain tubes are designed to fold in so the frame doesn't get bent out of shape.

[Vanillagurilla]

[dustymojave]

Gregg...You keep spreading your questions all over the place here. It would be far more educational to you and a lot less frustrating to those trying to help you if all of your stuff was in one thread. It's ALL about ONE Baja Bug.

3x3 arms are NOT weaker than stock arms. Thye are designed for offroad use as compared to the street use the stock ones are designed for. For off road use, the stock arms need to be reinforced.

You NEED to just shut up and go buy an inexpensive Baja Bug and learn about them 1st hand instead of trying to over-think the whole deal while listening to wild ass comments from others who may or may not know what the heck they're talking about.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[race-desert]

^x10

[Dark Earth]

Vanillagurilla, I think the best way to get all of your questions answered is to put all of your car stuff in one place. I looked at the photos you have on your account. It looks like a nice 1969 baja. I'd start a build thread. Build threads are just as easy to create as any other thread, just name it something like "1969 baja build" if that name isn't taken. Post the pictures of the car on that thread, and document any progress you've made. Although I can't personally answer any of your roll cage setup questions, there are many on this site that can. If you start your own build thread, more people will be willing to offer advice.
_________________
My Build: '69 Baja - Dark Earth Version

~I'm almost done. I just lack finishing up.~

[Vanillagurilla]

[Dark Earth]

[greggl4321]

Can someone answer the questions

Are stock arms in the rear good?
Do the components and the arms break less when they are smaller?
I've heard it mentioned that stuff breaks more with the 3x3...

How much travel do 1" over arms get?

Ive heard bad things about notching the spring plate, please inform me as to why this is.