Offset Trailing Arms (yes or no)
Thread Starter
"Rodstoration &am p;quot; In Progres
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 1
From: Frisco TX
Offset Trailing Arms (yes or no)
Am getting ready to start the rear rebuild on my 80 and am debating on going with offset trailing arms just in case I ever want to go with wider tires. Question...how much wider of a tire can I go to with the offset arms?
Also, any downside to doing this besides the $$$???
Also, any downside to doing this besides the $$$???
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Im very happy with how mine is turning out. I have 17X9.5 in the back, could posibly go 17X10 depending on the tire. I had to change the trailing arms and use a shorter composit spring from VBandP.com. Ive seen were if you use 18 inch wheels you wont need a shorter spring tho. The spring fits inside the wheel.
I have 17X8 with 4 inch back space on front.
I have 17X9.5 with 5 inch back space on back.
Every thing fits flush, I didnt want wheels and tires sticking out past the fenders, I dont think that would look right. Its a 1973 big block. With out the trailing arms and spring I would have been stuck with 17X8's all the way around, wich isnt to bad but all depends on the look your going for. Also I forgot to mention that I have side pipes, the muflers would have cause clearance issues in the back.
I have 17X8 with 4 inch back space on front.
I have 17X9.5 with 5 inch back space on back.
Every thing fits flush, I didnt want wheels and tires sticking out past the fenders, I dont think that would look right. Its a 1973 big block. With out the trailing arms and spring I would have been stuck with 17X8's all the way around, wich isnt to bad but all depends on the look your going for. Also I forgot to mention that I have side pipes, the muflers would have cause clearance issues in the back.
Last edited by bryan717; Dec 1, 2005 at 04:59 PM. Reason: left something out.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I don't believe there is a downside to the offsets unless your going have the car judged. You can't beat stronger arms. Especially one that let you run a fatter tire. 
I'm kind of bias though.
I'm kind of bias though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Originally Posted by Van Steel
I don't believe there is a downside to the offsets unless your going have the car judged. You can't beat stronger arms. Especially one that let you run a fatter tire. I'm kind of bias though.
I'm kind of bias though. 
I have them, the tire will hit the frame before the arm.
besides I had to cut my old ones out
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 402
Likes: 4
From: Nassau
I just got a pair of Van Steel offset arms. There is a huge difference in quallity between them and the origionals. Dans offsets are sweet (damn that sounds ghey) If you want some strong well built good looking **** under your car get the offsets.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I just ordered a set of 18X10 inch rims. I hope I don't need the offsets and according to some others here I don't. I know the sale ends today. With my luck I'll need them and the sale will be gone. 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Can't think of any downside. There is no limit on the width of the tire, although many folks think a tire sticking about a foot outside the fenders looks dumb. (Around here there are quite a few cars modified this way - they are also low to the ground and have gold spoke wheels...) 
I've got 17X9.5s with 5.5in BS and the tires don't stick out.
I've got 17X9.5s with 5.5in BS and the tires don't stick out.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 870
Likes: 2
From: Closter New Jersey
yeah, offset arms the way to go, always, better to be safe then sorry, if you want big wheels in the future get them now, if not you will be fine, better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them