Rear Trailing Arms, Stock x 1 Inch, Boxed Style

OVERVIEW

When you are pushing your air-cooled Volkswagen or custom off-road rail to the absolute limit, the factory stamped-steel trailing arms quickly become the weakest link in your suspension geometry. These Latest Rage Boxed Style Rear Trailing Arms are engineered specifically to eliminate the flex and failure points common in stock components. By utilizing a "Stock x 1" configuration, these arms maintain your factory track width while extending the wheelbase by one inch. This subtle but significant extension provides increased stability at high speeds and improves the approach angle for your rear tires, allowing your buggy or Baja to track straighter through the rough stuff without the complexity of a wide-track setup. The boxed construction offers a massive increase in torsional rigidity compared to tubular or stock designs, ensuring that your suspension settings remain consistent even under the heavy lateral loads of aggressive cornering or landing off a dune.

At Appletree Automotive, we know that durability is paramount when you are miles away from the nearest pavement. These trailing arms feature heavy-duty internal bracing and precision-welded steel plates that transform your IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) into a bulletproof platform. The "boxed" design isn''t just for looks; it creates a structural beam that resists twisting and bending far better than the original equipment. Whether you are building a dedicated woods buggy, a desert-shredding sand rail, or a rugged Baja Bug, these arms provide the peace of mind that comes with overbuilt American-style engineering. Please note that because these are high-performance aftermarket components, they feature a beefier profile than stock; while they provide incredible strength, they may require minor clearancing or bracket modification when pairing them with certain aftermarket disc brake kits or specialized shock mounts.

FITMENT

These trailing arms are designed for Volkswagen-based IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) configurations. Typical applications include:

• Volkswagen Beetle (Sedan & Convertible): 1969 through 1977 (IRS models).
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1969 through 1974.
• Volkswagen Type 3 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback): 1969 through 1973.
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: Any custom chassis utilizing a VW IRS subframe or pivot points.
• Baja Bugs: Ideal for modified Beetles requiring a slightly longer wheelbase for off-road clearance.

SPECS

• Manufacturer: Latest Rage
• Part Number: AC530012
• Width: Stock VW IRS Width
• Length: +1 Inch Extension over stock length
• Construction Style: Boxed Steel (Reinforced)
• Material: High-tensile Heavy Duty Steel
• Suspension Type: IRS (Independent Rear Suspension)
• Finish: Raw Steel (Ready for custom paint or powder coating)
• Bracing: Integrated heavy-duty internal gusseting
• Shipping Weight: Approximately 41.05 lbs

PRO TIPS

1. Account for Brake Bracket Clearance

Because these boxed arms are significantly thicker and wider than the thin factory stamped-steel arms, they occupy more physical space near the bearing carrier. If you are running an aftermarket rear disc brake conversion, the caliper mounting brackets may contact the boxed plating. Before final assembly, perform a "dry fit" of your brake system. You may need to use a grinder to provide a small amount of "clearance" on the arm or, in some cases, weld a custom mounting tab directly to the arm to ensure the caliper is perfectly centered over the rotor. Always re-paint or coat any areas where you have removed material to prevent rust.

2. Verify Axle and CV Joint Angles

Adding one inch of length to your trailing arms changes the operating angle of your CV joints. While a +1 inch extension is generally manageable with stock-length axles in many configurations, you must check for "binding" at full suspension droop and full compression. If you find the axles are pulling too tight or pushing too hard against the drive flanges, you may need to upgrade to Type 2 (Bus) or 930-style CV joints and specialized axles to accommodate the increased travel and length. Ensuring your CV joints have adequate "float" is critical to preventing catastrophic transaxle or stub axle failure on the trail.

3. Upgrade Your Pivot Bushings

Installing high-performance boxed trailing arms while reusing old, crusty rubber pivot bushings is a recipe for disappointment. To truly realize the handling benefits of the increased rigidity, we highly recommend installing a set of heavy-duty urethane bushings or, for maximum precision, spherical bearing pivots. Urethane bushings will eliminate the "mushy" feel of the rear end and prevent the arm from shifting fore and aft under acceleration. Make sure to use plenty of high-quality synthetic grease during installation to prevent squeaking and ensure the suspension moves fluidly through its entire range of motion.