Stock IRS suspension is a good idea for a light sand rail?

[francoangellini]

Hi;

Thinking to swap the swing axle type to IRS in my 1915cc light rail ...... Before complicating things I would like to know the advantages and disadvantages of both worlds, I read in the web that swing axle type was stronger for sand and offroad !! .
Besides the CV´s maintenance, an stock IRS trailing arm is strong enough for a light rail in the sand??...Will it get damaged easily?

Best.

[Mal evolent]

check this thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=705654
don't make a habit of getting airborne even with reinforcement
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73 Beetle Baja, Ghia front brakes, Type 3 rear brakes, 2220 ( 94 X 80 ), Weber Progressive, Bosch SVDA, '97 Mustang seats

Baja Bugs for Volkswagen Virgins: Index

[francoangellini]

OK.....EMPI IRS box kit is a good reinforcement for a stock arm?

https://www.mooreparts.com/vw-rear-irs-trailing-arm-box-in-kit-weld-on/

[Vanapplebomb]

It is a good starting point. You should add two small pieces to tie the upper and lower plates to the outboard end of the bearing carrier.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[Vanapplebomb]

Also, I should add this.

Bone stock for bone stock, swing axle is probably a little more durable. However, it is also much more limited. IRS has WAY more beef up potential. With a little work, it can be made much stronger than swing axle with the added bonus of better handling due to less camber change as the suspension cycles.

Cv joint maintenance? Unless you blow one up, what is there to maintain? Pack them well with a good Moly grease, and you will be good to go for ages.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[francoangellini]

EMPI Irs box kit installed...

[Vanapplebomb]

Why yes, yes it is installed.

Once those three plates are welded in, cut a couple pieces of 3/16 or 1/4 inch flat stock to go between the large flat top and bottom plates to the rectangular flange on the bearing housing. That will help massively to keep the bearing housing from being tweaked if you hit a big bump. That is the weak link in the irs trailing arm. It is easy to bend out of whack if it isn’t tied in better. When it bends, your camber and toe will be all out of whack, and you won’t be able to fix it unless you cut out the bearing carrier and weld it back in...easier said than done.
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1800 Type 4 Berrien 295

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=487021

[francoangellini]

[weasel_ugs]

I ran IRS in my baja for 17yrs as a daily driver to desert off road and never bent a trailing arm.

[francoangellini]

[Vanapplebomb]

[weasel_ugs]

[I Ride Sand]

stock arms are fine for a rail that sees a little air from time to time. if your not bottoming it out, then its happy.

do the swap, i've had both and will never keep a swingaxle again. night and day difference in handling.
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Just a dirty coyote playing in the desert.
now where'd that dirty badger run off to?

[SamT]

Be aware that when swapping to IRS you are opening a can of worms.
A stock swing axle has pretty descent ratios and a stock irs has more highway gears. (Though 4.12 iRS trans exist) if you go from a 4.12 swing axle to a 3.88 irs trans your car is now a dog. If you happen to have a 4.37 swing axle you’ll really notice.

So you may can swap to IrS cheap, but it’s going to cost you a pile of cash to make it something with an advantage over swing axle. A sand rail with wide offset wheels generally doesn’t have the tipping issues from axle tuck like a Baja or class 11 has. IMO you go IRS if your wanting to build a car all around, not for upgraded stock parts.

Like someone above said if you don’t bottom it out stock IRS arms will last, but any time you bottom out your risking trashing them. Depending on where you play that may or may not be an issue. I’ve just braced arms up with some strap iron before to improve the strength a little.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=546712

[francoangellini]

Yes, my swing axle rail with 4.375 tranny very strong and no problems....But maybe the swap work best for my baja, I have two 1303 trailing arms and a Brazil type2 IRS Rhino case 5.143 r/p with type1 standard mounts....

Best regards.