Rear Trailing Arms, 3 X 3 Longer, DOM Steel for IRS

OVERVIEW

Upgrade your off-road performance and suspension travel with the Appletree Automotive 3 x 3 Longer DOM Steel Rear Trailing Arms. Designed specifically for Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) setups, these arms are the gold standard for Baja Bugs, sand rails, and custom dune buggies that demand superior strength and increased wheel travel. By extending the wheelbase three inches longer and pushing the track width three inches wider per side, you effectively create a more stable platform that handles high-speed whoops and technical terrain with ease. These arms are constructed from high-quality DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) steel tubing, providing a significant strength advantage over flimsy stock stamped-steel arms that are prone to bending or snapping under the stresses of off-road racing and aggressive trail riding.

Precision engineering is at the heart of these trailing arms, featuring a heavy-duty Chromoly bearing carrier that ensures your rear hubs and bearings remain perfectly aligned even under extreme loads. This Chromoly integration is crucial because the bearing carrier is a high-stress point that often fails on inferior aftermarket arms. Whether you are building a dedicated desert racer or updating a weekend warrior, these 3x3 arms provide the clearance needed for larger off-road tires and the geometry required for long-travel shock configurations. Please note that because these are professional-grade components designed for custom suspension tuning, shock bosses are not pre-welded, allowing you to customize your shock mounting angles and leverage ratios to perfectly match your specific vehicle weight and damping requirements.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Beetle (IRS Models): 1969 through 1977 (Sedan and Convertible)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (IRS Models): 1969 through 1974
• Volkswagen Type 3 (IRS Models): 1969 through 1973 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback)
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973 through 1974
• Custom Off-Road Vehicles: Sand Rails, Dune Buggies, and Baja Bugs utilizing an IRS-style torsion housing or subframe.

SPECS

• Material: High-Quality DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) Steel Tubing.
• Bearing Carrier: Heavy-Duty Chromoly Steel for maximum durability.
• Length Increase: 3 Inches longer than stock Volkswagen IRS arms.
• Width Increase: 3 Inches wider per side than stock Volkswagen IRS arms.
• Suspension Type: Designed exclusively for IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) configurations.
• Shock Mounts: Shock bosses NOT included (Allows for custom placement).
• Weight: Approximately 52.7 lbs per pair.
• Finish: Raw steel (Requires painting or powder coating after welding).
• Compatibility: Accepts standard VW IRS bearings, seals, and spacers.

PRO TIPS

1. Calculate Your Axle Length and CV Angles

When moving to a 3x3 trailing arm setup, it is vital to remember that your stock VW axles will no longer fit. Because you are pushing the hub three inches out and three inches back, you will require custom-length axles, typically paired with Type 2 (Bus) or 930-style CV joints to handle the increased angles and torque. Always cycle your suspension from full droop to full compression without the springs installed to ensure that the CV joints do not bind at the extremes of travel. Bind is the leading cause of axle failure in long-travel setups, so taking the time to measure twice will save you from a broken drivetrain in the middle of the dunes.

2. Precision Shock Boss Placement

Since these arms do not come with pre-installed shock bosses, you have the advantage of setting up your suspension geometry for maximum efficiency. When welding your shock mounts, ensure you are using a high-penetration welder (MIG or TIG) and that the geometry allows the shock to be as vertical as possible at the point of maximum leverage. If you are running coil-overs, ensure the mount is reinforced to handle the entire weight of the rear of the vehicle. It is highly recommended to mock up your shocks with the tires on to check for clearance issues against the tire sidewall or the chassis through the entire arc of the arm''s movement.

3. Pivot Point Maintenance and Alignment

To get the most out of your new DOM trailing arms, don''t reuse old, worn-out rubber bushings at the inner pivot point. We recommend upgrading to high-quality urethane or bronze bushings to eliminate deflection, which can cause "rear-end steer" and unpredictable handling at high speeds. Before final installation, ensure your torsion housing is straight and that the pivot bolts are torqued to factory specifications with plenty of high-pressure grease. Additionally, because the geometry is altered, you must perform a professional rear-end alignment to set the toe and camber, ensuring your tires wear evenly and the vehicle tracks straight through the rough stuff.