1977 Trailing Arms
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Rio Rancho NM
1977 Trailing Arms
Hey out there...
Wanted to get some advice on an area I am currently working on my 1977 rebuild. I have been contemplating swapping out my OEM trailing arms and replacing them with some remanufactured off-set trailing arms. My goal is gain some space so that I can run some wider low profile tires on 7x16" wheels. But as I look closely at the wheel well and frame area...It doesn't seem clear to me that I would gain the advertise 2" additional space.
So before I dump a $grand$ on the parts…is there someone out there that can tell me if in fact I will or will NOT be able to run wider wheels? What was your experience on ride performance? If its all good, any recommendations for a supplier?
Thanks in advance…Ez.
Wanted to get some advice on an area I am currently working on my 1977 rebuild. I have been contemplating swapping out my OEM trailing arms and replacing them with some remanufactured off-set trailing arms. My goal is gain some space so that I can run some wider low profile tires on 7x16" wheels. But as I look closely at the wheel well and frame area...It doesn't seem clear to me that I would gain the advertise 2" additional space.
So before I dump a $grand$ on the parts…is there someone out there that can tell me if in fact I will or will NOT be able to run wider wheels? What was your experience on ride performance? If its all good, any recommendations for a supplier?
Thanks in advance…Ez.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
The 16X7 wheel is not wider than a stock wheel. The stock wheel is a 15X8 inch wheel. The offsets are needed for 9 or 10 inch wide wheels in a 15 or 16 inch wheel. If you run a 17 or 18 inch wheel in a 9 or 10 inch width the stock arms will work with relocating the ebrake cable. The off set arms are a little stronger and are probably not going to be rusty like your stock arms also.
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From: Rio Rancho NM
Gordonm...thanks for the reply and input. I hadn't realized I could run 17 or 18 inch wheels on the 77...a sure sign of my obvious ignorance. Okay, Assuming I go with the off-set arms, which configuration would you suggust I run to stay within the exterior body lines? 7x9, 18x10??? My goal is to have the low sleek with fat guns look...if that makes sense.
Thanks again for your inputs.
Thanks again for your inputs.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 184
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From: Atlas is shrugging KC, MO area
Backspacing is the distance from the wheel mounting surface to the inside lip of the bead mounting surface.
Offset is the distance between the wheel centerline and the wheel mounting surface.
Offset is the distance between the wheel centerline and the wheel mounting surface.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Kansas
Yes Sir; Why don't you get hold of Van Steel @ www.vansteel.com These people are the Mfg. of the finest offset trailing arms made. I think that guy has tried every thing that you can do with them. Have a great one. Gene
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From: Rio Rancho NM
Still On the Wheel Issue - 1977 App
Here I am a year later and still working the wheel issue.
Its okay my ride is still a work in progress as well i just may have come up on a good deal for some wheels...I have dropped the $grand$ plus to replace my trailing arms however...so there has been some progress...lol
.
So can anyone help me and say if I can run 18" X 8.5" wheels with 245/40ZR18 88Y tires for the front, and the rear with 19" X 10" wheels with 285/35ZR19 90Y tires? Without rubbing that is. Recall that I am also running off-set trailing arms now as well, the rest is replaced new stock suspension.
Its okay my ride is still a work in progress as well i just may have come up on a good deal for some wheels...I have dropped the $grand$ plus to replace my trailing arms however...so there has been some progress...lol.So can anyone help me and say if I can run 18" X 8.5" wheels with 245/40ZR18 88Y tires for the front, and the rear with 19" X 10" wheels with 285/35ZR19 90Y tires? Without rubbing that is. Recall that I am also running off-set trailing arms now as well, the rest is replaced new stock suspension.
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Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Rio Rancho NM
So you can say if I can run 18" X 8.5" wheels with 245/40ZR18 88Y tires for the front, and the rear with 19" X 10" wheels with 285/35ZR19 90Y tires without rubbing? I am also running off-set trailing arms as well, the rest is stock suspension.
