Offset trailing arm question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
From: PA
Offset trailing arm question
Recently I received my frame back from the powder coater’s. Along with the frame I had a variety of other parts shot too (control arms, trailing arms, diff X-member, etc). My car is definitely NOT a numbers matching car and I’m debating whether or not to install the original TA or to get offset TA to allow for wider tires.
For those of you out there who have already done so:
1. What are the advantages/disadvantages?
2. Does anybody have before and after pic of the rear of their car showing the difference in look with wider tires?
Thanks in Advance!
Here is some before, during and after pics of the frame
For those of you out there who have already done so:
1. What are the advantages/disadvantages?
2. Does anybody have before and after pic of the rear of their car showing the difference in look with wider tires?
Thanks in Advance!
Here is some before, during and after pics of the frame
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
From: PA
Yes, I’m thinking about going with an 18” diameter rim, but I’m more concerned with tire width (9.5 to 10.5”). If I understand correctly the offset trailing arms allow up to 10” width opposed to stock 8”.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 5
From: the land of a never ending frame-off resto-mod. May Visa have mercy on my soul.
I went with the offset T/As just so I could have the ability to go wide on the rims if I wanted. The price differential wasn't that much more and would give me some more options when I was ready.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 11
From: Merrick NY
Originally Posted by Corvette69w427
Yes, I’m thinking about going with an 18” diameter rim, but I’m more concerned with tire width (9.5 to 10.5”). If I understand correctly the offset trailing arms allow up to 10” width opposed to stock 8”.
FYI VB&P cut my spring for free, even though it's installed on the car it has 0 miles. Greg from VB&P gets
from me!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
There aren't *any* disadvantages with the offset TAs. They are built better and appear to be much stronger. You could run stock rims and tires if you wanted, or boost the width if that's your bag...
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Z-man
There aren't *any* disadvantages with the offset TAs. They are built better and appear to be much stronger. You could run stock rims and tires if you wanted, or boost the width if that's your bag...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I am running the stock trailing arm on mine. Running 18X10 with a 5.5 backspacing and a 275 40 18 tire. It is tight but no rubbing anywhere. I was going to buy the offsets but thought I'd try this first. It is working fine this way.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 572
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Originally Posted by Van Steel
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
:Iagree:
Don't buy ofset arms unless you need new ones.
They really don't give you anymore clearance than the stock arms ( as long as you relocate the parking brake bracket to the top of the arm.)
Your tire will hit the frame before the trailing arm.
They are stronger however, than a rusted out 30 year old arm!
Don't buy ofset arms unless you need new ones.
They really don't give you anymore clearance than the stock arms ( as long as you relocate the parking brake bracket to the top of the arm.)
Your tire will hit the frame before the trailing arm.
They are stronger however, than a rusted out 30 year old arm!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 0
From: PA
Originally Posted by Bee Jay
Me three. If you're gonna buy trailing arms, put some offsets in there. I'm gonna mount 18x10.5s with stock trailing arms, but I wish there were offset ta's in there. Not worth the expense for me now since my ta's are working. My biggest interference was my sway bar, which I modified.
Originally Posted by 427V8
:Iagree:
Don't buy ofset arms unless you need new ones.
They really don't give you anymore clearance than the stock arms ( as long as you relocate the parking brake bracket to the top of the arm.)
Your tire will hit the frame before the trailing arm.
They are stronger however, than a rusted out 30 year old arm!
Don't buy ofset arms unless you need new ones.
They really don't give you anymore clearance than the stock arms ( as long as you relocate the parking brake bracket to the top of the arm.)
Your tire will hit the frame before the trailing arm.
They are stronger however, than a rusted out 30 year old arm!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 0
From: NorCal 71 Lt-1
i have run both arms with the 18x10 / 5.5 backspacing and 275-40-18 tires in the rear. with the stock ta's the wheel / tire sticks out a little past the fender lip whereas with the offsets the wheels sit slightly more inboard and is aligned with the fender lip. 
stock ta:
offset ta:
a link to e-brake bracket relocation pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...98977&posted=1
stock ta:
offset ta:
a link to e-brake bracket relocation pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...98977&posted=1
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 572
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Originally Posted by wnjlt1
i have run both arms with the 18x10 / 5.5 backspacing and 275-40-18 tires in the rear. with the stock ta's the wheel / tire sticks out a little past the fender lip whereas with the offsets the wheels sit slightly more inboard and is aligned with the fender lip.
stock ta:
offset ta:
a link to e-brake bracket relocation pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...98977&posted=1
stock ta:
offset ta:
a link to e-brake bracket relocation pics:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...98977&posted=1
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Dallas Texas
I,ve heard the offsets are better for bearing wear as they center the wheel up better ? any truth to that ? ...I,m going to go with the stock arms and run a 18 x 9.5 wheel 5 " backspace 275/40/18 in the rear ...