Torsion Housing End Plates, Long Travel, Outer, Pair

OVERVIEW

When you are pushing the limits of your off-road machine, the stock suspension components often become the literal bottleneck to your performance. These EMPI Long Travel Torsion Housing End Plates are engineered specifically for the air-cooled enthusiast who demands more than just a Sunday drive. Designed for high-articulation setups, these outer end plates provide the necessary clearance and structural integrity required when running extended spring plates and high-lift shocks. Whether you are building a dedicated desert racer, a rugged Baja Bug, or a high-performance sand rail, these plates are the foundation of a rear suspension system that can soak up the whoops and landings without binding or failure. By moving to a long-travel specific design, you are allowing your rear suspension to cycle through its full range of motion, ensuring that your tires stay in contact with the dirt for maximum traction and control.

Precision is everything when it comes to chassis fabrication, and these torsion housing end plates deliver the professional-grade quality that Appletree Auto customers expect. Manufactured from heavy-gauge steel, these plates are designed to be welded directly onto your existing torsion housing. This is not a bolt-on cosmetic upgrade; it is a serious structural modification that reinforces the rear of your VW chassis against the extreme leverage forces generated by long-travel suspension arms. The raw steel finish ensures that you get a clean, deep-penetrating weld every time. By replacing your thin, stamped factory end caps with these robust units, you are significantly increasing the lifespan of your torsion housing while preparing your vehicle for the most demanding terrain the off-road world has to offer. Don''t let weak factory components limit your build''s potential when you can weld in the strength needed for true off-road dominance.

FITMENT

These long-travel torsion housing end plates are designed for universal application on Volkswagen Type 1 based chassis. Because they are weld-on components intended for custom suspension fabrication, they are compatible with a wide range of air-cooled models including:

• Volkswagen Beetle: 1950 through 1979 (All models)
• Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1974
• Volkswagen Thing (Type 181): 1973 through 1974
• Dune Buggies: All Beetle-based tube chassis and fiberglass bodies
• Sand Rails: Custom builds utilizing a VW Type 1 torsion housing
• Baja Bugs: Specifically those converted for long-travel IRS or swing axle setups

SPECS

Every detail of these end plates is optimized for the rigors of off-road racing and heavy-duty trail use. Below are the technical specifications for the EMPI 17-2789-0:

• Material: High-tensile heavy-duty plate steel
• Application: Outer torsion housing end section
• Quantity: Sold as a pair (Left and Right sides)
• Installation Method: Professional weld-on application required
• Style: Long-travel / High-clearance design
• Part Number: 17-2789-0
• Finish: Raw steel (Must be painted or coated after welding to prevent corrosion)
• Compatibility: Works with both IRS and Swing Axle torsion housings when modified

PRO TIPS

1. Precision Cutting and Alignment is Critical

When installing these long-travel end plates, you will typically be cutting away a portion of the factory torsion housing to allow for the increased suspension arc. Before you strike an arc with your welder, ensure that your torsion housing is perfectly level and that you have indexed the new plates symmetrically on both sides. Even a slight misalignment can lead to "dog-tracking" or uneven spring plate pressure, which will ruin your handling at high speeds. Use a digital angle finder to ensure both plates are clocked identically relative to the chassis centerline.

2. Heat Management During Welding

Since the torsion housing is a thick-walled tube and these plates are heavy-gauge steel, you will need significant heat for proper penetration. However, you must be careful not to warp the housing. I recommend tack-welding the plates in four equidistant spots first, then moving back and forth between the driver and passenger sides. Stitch weld in small increments rather than running one long continuous bead. This prevents localized heat soak from distorting the roundness of the housing, which could make installing your torsion bushings a nightmare later on.

3. Coordinate with Your Bushing Choice

Because these are long-travel plates, they are often paired with high-performance urethane or Delrin bushings. Before you finish-weld and paint, do a "dry fit" with your chosen spring plates and bushings. Some aftermarket long-travel spring plates are thicker than stock and may require slight clearancing of the plate opening or specific bushing inner diameters. It is much easier to make these minor adjustments on the bench than it is once the plates are burned into the car and the engine is back in place. Always clean the inner bore of the housing thoroughly after welding to remove any slag or BBs that could damage your new bushings.