Hi everyone. Noob here.

I'm considering using a VW chassis for a customized project, and the end result is likely to be heavier than a normal Baja bug. Drivetrain will be something non-stock and probably 3+ liters of displacement.

Are the standard VW suspensions (IRS rear + torsion bar front) good for 3000 pounds of vehicle? (That figure is the final weight including the VW chassis parts, fuel, passengers, etc.)

The vehicle could be subjected to some off-roading but probably not too severe by Baja standards. Maybe some driving moderately fast on uneven dirt/gravel roads. No 80mph through the desert stuff.



With cars/trucks just about anything can be modified to put up with ridiculous abuse if you replace & custom-build enough of it. But if you have to replace most of the setup to make it work then you probably picked the wrong starting point IMO.

Is the VW chassis a worthwhile starting point for something that heavy?

What kind of stuff usually breaks first? The suspension arms? Bearings? Pivot points?


Thanks for any responses.

Might want to ask dalton, his bug probly weighs close to 3k lbs with a the shit he has welded bolted glued screwed and tie wired to it.

I am around 2700lb with just me in it. no camping gear. with a standard day run load on the car.