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Question about offset trailing arms...

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Old May 11, 2009 | 08:54 PM
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Default Question about offset trailing arms...

Do they come in different offsets and what size rim and tire can you go with???
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Old May 12, 2009 | 08:54 PM
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Wow lots of great advice here...
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Old May 12, 2009 | 09:36 PM
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I'm only aware of one offset, but you can get single or double offset which means the portion of the arm forward of the wheel is offset (single) and double means the portion of the arm behind the wheel is also offset. The offset distance is large enough that the frame becomes the limiting factor in tire width/offset, so it isn't necessary to have any other options for t/a offset. note it does not change wheel position, just is clearanced so as not to interfere with the tire before the frame will.
double offset is only necessary if sticking with 15" size rims. they require a shorter leaf spring and thus the spring will not hit a wider tire. if you have larger rims, the spring will sit within the inner diameter of the wheel and not interfere, so you don't need to go with double offset or a shorter spring in that case.

wheel and tire size is then dependant upon several other factors, but you can pretty much do anything you want, just depends how much more modifying you want to do. in my application, i am using a double offset arm, shortened glass rear spring, 15" x 10" wheels with 5.5" offset and 1" wider fenders.

if you only want to buy the offset t/a's and nothing else, then a 17"x8" wheel at 5" b.s. will be a relatively safe bet, but always measure AFTER an alignment before ordering any wheels and tires that you can't return.

you'll find lots of discussion threads on wheel/tire combos if you search. it comes up quite a bit. also vansteel is good to talk with if you call them. i'm fortunate to live near their shop so i stopped by a few times while doing my project.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 11:18 PM
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I chose 17" wheels. I agonized over this decision for over a year.
Some run 17's up front and 18's out back. It looks good but the
tire on the rear is almost the same height and with the larger
rim the tire profile looks too thin to me.
I put 17 x 8 w/4" BS up front and 17 x 9.5 w/ 5 1/2" BS on the
rear. Tires are BF Goodrich G-Force Sport, 245/45ZR17 frt. &
275/40ZR17 rear.
The tires just did clear the stock trailing arms. One side was fine,
the other side I had to grind about a quarter size spot on the
face of the trailing arm about a 1/32" deep.
I went with this size knowing that I may have to put offset arms
on but so far so good.
Good Luck
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Old May 12, 2009 | 11:23 PM
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I have read that if you take your stock trailing arms and move the E-brake bracket to the top of the arm, it buys you the same clearance that the offset arms would buy you.

The first clearance interference point is the frame, not the arm.

I could be wrong in that, so it should be confirmed by someone that has played that game, but thats the way I understand it.
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Old May 12, 2009 | 11:33 PM
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Thanks Brent, your right I forgot to mention that I had to move
the e-brake cable bracket. Based on my car the offset arms would
give you some more room.
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Old May 13, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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so you can fit a 275 safely on without the offset but if i wanted to go to say a 295 i would need the offsets? This is keeping the tire within the fender..i am not looking at the tires sticking out beyond the fender?
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