Offset Trailing Arm Comparison
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Offset Trailing Arm Comparison
I bought VBP offset trailing arms and was going to rebuild the trailing arm assembly myself, but decided instead to sent them to Van Steel for rebuilding. My question is, how does Van Steel offset trailing arms compare to VBP. VBP say that their trailing arms are the only one with a full size bushing on their website and are also made of box steel, compared to Van Steels plate steel. I ask this because when I got them back I had new Van Steel offset trailing arms, not the new VBP offset trailing arms that I sent. Is it worth correcting?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
Take pictures of the VBP offsets and I'll compare with my Van Steel's.
My Van Steels look way over built, to me the benefit of "box" steel would be nil. I am assuming by box steel the mean Rectangular tubing
My Van Steels look way over built, to me the benefit of "box" steel would be nil. I am assuming by box steel the mean Rectangular tubing
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
VanSteel builds the Off Set Trailing Arms for VBP and most other people selling them. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
If you look at the catalogs you'd think that some of the the Van Steel and VBP parts are the same. The suspension "packages" look the same and other parts seem visually similar. I ordered a suspension backage from Van Steel and the composite spring had a VBP logo on it.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Originally Posted by PROSOUTH
VanSteel builds the Off Set Trailing Arms for VBP and most other people selling them.
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=596
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1801&ID=1837
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: St. Pete FL
Originally Posted by PROSOUTH
VanSteel builds the Off Set Trailing Arms for VBP and most other people selling them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
From: Union Ontario
I looked at both and both are made out of plate steel. Maybe VBP's has a different bushing in it, I'm not sure.
Like I said I have Van Steel's Offset's and have no problems with running them.
I think you are worrying too much about a non existent problem. If you want your VBP offsets back give Van Steel a call they are great to deal with maybe they'll work a deal so you can get the VBP offsets back
Like I said I have Van Steel's Offset's and have no problems with running them.
I think you are worrying too much about a non existent problem. If you want your VBP offsets back give Van Steel a call they are great to deal with maybe they'll work a deal so you can get the VBP offsets back
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
I just thought one might be better than the other. Maybe I was wrong about the box steel. Anyway, the quality looks well built and you guys say there's no difference, so I guess I'm not going to worry about it. Thanks for the input.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 4
From: Florida 33460
Originally Posted by MIKE80
The offset trailing arms that I received from VBP before I sent them out to Van Steel are definitely different than what I got back. Box steel vs. plate steel. Look at the two websites. They are not the same.
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=596
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1801&ID=1837
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=596
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...p=1801&ID=1837
Look again ..
they are 100% same ! Just photographed different side. I have personally had one set bought from vb. And they were exactly same.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
There are other manufacturers of offset trailing arms. Tom's Differentials have their own offset trailing arms that they sell. Also Guldstrand sells their own offset trailing arms. Tom's offset trailing arms are manufactured with plate steel and do not have provisions for an anti roll bar. If you want to run max horsepower with a Corvette IRS, I think you have to get Tom's stuff. Guildstrand modifies a stock box steel offset trailing arm. Guldstrand charges about $900 for their offset trailing arms and Tom's charges about ther same price as VBP.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Our arms are not the exact same. We so use a different style bushing and our offsets do not have large oval holes. The pic of VBP's offsets must be an old picture.
If you buy their offsets we will install them and give you their arms. We wouldn't have switched them out. I don't have any of their offsets in my building. Does the bushing look like a stock bushing or is it smaller. If it's stock, than they the VBP offsets. They will also have the 2 large oval shaped holes in their arms. Mine are just like the pic provided in the link above.
Here is another pic of my units
If you buy their offsets we will install them and give you their arms. We wouldn't have switched them out. I don't have any of their offsets in my building. Does the bushing look like a stock bushing or is it smaller. If it's stock, than they the VBP offsets. They will also have the 2 large oval shaped holes in their arms. Mine are just like the pic provided in the link above.
Here is another pic of my units
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Our arms are not the exact same. We so use a different style bushing and our offsets do not have large oval holes. The pic of VBP's offsets must be an old picture.
If you buy their offsets we will install them and give you their arms. We wouldn't have switched them out. I don't have any of their offsets in my building. Does the bushing look like a stock bushing or is it smaller. If it's stock, than they the VBP offsets. They will also have the 2 large oval shaped holes in their arms. Mine are just like the pic provided in the link above.
Here is another pic of my units
If you buy their offsets we will install them and give you their arms. We wouldn't have switched them out. I don't have any of their offsets in my building. Does the bushing look like a stock bushing or is it smaller. If it's stock, than they the VBP offsets. They will also have the 2 large oval shaped holes in their arms. Mine are just like the pic provided in the link above.
Here is another pic of my units
Definately a NICE job on rebuilding the trailing arms. Highly Recommend. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 5
From: Dallas Texas
Van Steel how about running a special on those offset arms ...I,m in the market ...How big of a tire and wide of rim can I fit under my 68 on the rear with 17 inch rims ..Thanks
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 11
From: Merrick NY
Originally Posted by White 68
Van Steel how about running a special on those offset arms ...I,m in the market ...How big of a tire and wide of rim can I fit under my 68 on the rear with 17 inch rims ..Thanks
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
Was wondering the same thing, can't seem to find it in the catelog...
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by White 68
Van Steel how about running a special on those offset arms ...I,m in the market ...How big of a tire and wide of rim can I fit under my 68 on the rear with 17 inch rims ..Thanks
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
I,ve heard 295x50 on a 17x8 icnh rim 4' back space
I only have 6 sets of arms left. I'm waiting for 100 more set to be made. Shouldn't be any more than a couple weeks out. I'd be willing to do something.
17 x 9 285/40 or 295/40 5" backspace. 18 x 10's will work w/305's in the rear.
