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offset trailing arms

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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 09:35 AM
  #1  
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Default offset trailing arms

Anyone out there rolling with offset trailing arms? I am thinking of going with 17x8's all around with a little wider tires. Any input or pic's would be greatly appreciated.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 09:49 AM
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Search is your friend.
These things have been discussed and pictures posted in a million threads.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1603168
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 10:00 AM
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Thanks. Just trying to find my way around the forum and looking for ideas.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 10:17 AM
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The forum tools take some getting use to but the "advanced search" feature is great.

Some food for thought. If going to offset TA approach you can get wider tires in the rear. But you also have to think about suspension. If you went with a dual mount rear monospring from VBP you can run much wider tires. Also if you go with a fiberglass composite rear spring and you run 18" tires then most of the time the spring will actually tuck inside the wheel.
I personally also like the staggered wheel look of 18's or 19's on the back and 17's on the front.
But no matter what mod the offset TA is a great upgrade in my opinion.

Here's some help.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

Last edited by 68 NJConv 454; Jun 21, 2007 at 10:20 AM.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 12:42 PM
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You don't really need offset arms to run wider tires, just have to relocate or remove the emergency brake bracket on the side of the arm to the top.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 12:45 PM
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Running 17x8s you probably won't go to tires bigger than 255-50-17. So you don't need offset arms for that nor will you need to relocate the parking brake cable bracket as they're no larger than 255-60-15.

If you were going to go with 17x9s and tires wider than 255, then you'd need offset arms or relocating the bracket.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Kalway
Running 17x8s you probably won't go to tires bigger than 255-50-17. So you don't need offset arms for that nor will you need to relocate the parking brake cable bracket as they're no larger than 255-60-15.

If you were going to go with 17x9s and tires wider than 255, then you'd need offset arms or relocating the bracket.
I agree...but as 99% of us can attest, once he gets the notion that 17x8's are possible then he'll ask, what about 17x9 or 18x10, so I'm just skipping the middle conversation.

If 17x8 are the final decision then test fit the wheels first and see if the pb bracket clears. If not, its easy to relocate to the top of the TA...a few seconds with a cutting wheel and welder.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 05:49 PM
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Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
The forum tools take some getting use to but the "advanced search" feature is great.

Some food for thought. If going to offset TA approach you can get wider tires in the rear. But you also have to think about suspension. If you went with a dual mount rear monospring from VBP you can run much wider tires. Also if you go with a fiberglass composite rear spring and you run 18" tires then most of the time the spring will actually tuck inside the wheel.
I personally also like the staggered wheel look of 18's or 19's on the back and 17's on the front.
But no matter what mod the offset TA is a great upgrade in my opinion.

Here's some help.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+Trailing+Arms
So do I. I like the larger wheels in the rear. Gives the car the stance as if it is about to take off at the drop of a hat.
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Old Jun 21, 2007 | 06:26 PM
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I run 275 R60 drag radials and 275R18 Kuhmo's in back. They fit just fine.

I do have offset trailing arms however.
I had to buy new ones anyway, so why not?
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 10:41 AM
  #10  
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Thanks for the input everyone. I think 68 NJ CONV 454 is reading my mind because I am also looking for the stance OLDGUARD 7 is talking about. I like the staggered look of wider in the back than front with just the ever so slight raised rear.

With the offset TA's, is there a need to relocate the parking brake hardware?
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 11:45 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by mo69
Thanks for the input everyone. I think 68 NJ CONV 454 is reading my mind because I am also looking for the stance OLDGUARD 7 is talking about. I like the staggered look of wider in the back than front with just the ever so slight raised rear.

With the offset TA's, is there a need to relocate the parking brake hardware?
The offset TA's already have the PB break relocated.
Everything will bolt right up.
Just know that you will be presented with two version of the offset trailing arm. The regular offset TA and the double offset TA. Only difference is the double offset TA has the leaf spring bolt mounting hole one inch toward the differential allowing/requiring you to run a shorter spring which gives you added clearance b/w the spring and your rim/tire. Again, if you run 18's in the back usually the rear spring tucks inside the rim and the shorter spring is not necessarily needed nor is the double offset TA. They work as a pair, double offset TA requires a shorter spring, regular offset TA requires stock length spring. You really need to plan this out long term to save yourself money and headaches. Talk to VanSteel about your goals and they will set you up right with the suspension parts and TA's.
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 01:32 PM
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With my 17" wheels the stock spring actually already tucks in to the wheel. Any smaller and you'd run in to the issue of the spring running in to the tire.
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Old Jun 22, 2007 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Kalway
With my 17" wheels the stock spring actually already tucks in to the wheel. Any smaller and you'd run in to the issue of the spring running in to the tire.
I have 17's TTII's and a VBP dual mount spring from the perf plus kit and the spring actually is right in line with the rim, won't tuck in unless i raise the ride height. I also don't have an engine in the car but i would think that would affect the front ride height more than the back.

Kalway, what rims are you running? what rear spring? maybe the stiffer the spring the less arc or less stiffer the spring the more you can tighten the spring bolt so it tucks in the rim.
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