Are offset HD trailing arms worth the $$?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,454
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
If you are looking for just wider tires (the look), then I guess that offset trailing arms are the way to go. If you are looking for more grip and you intend to stay with 15 inch tires, there are not many performance tire options-there are really no performance tires in the 255/60/15's, which I thought were wide enough, but just about none of the tires in that size are "performance" tires-BFG radial T/A's, Goodyear Eagles, Firestone Indy's (all S/T rated tires that are basically passenger car tires made to look like performance tires). I finally changed my OEM aluminum rims about 2 years ago (yes, I still have them) to SLP 17's and 255/45/17 ZR tires and it is a different car now! I would check what kind of tires you intend to use with the offset T/A's before you make the change if you want performance. Hope this helps!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Removing the parking brake tang gets you almost there. A couple of bangs with a sledgehammer will dent the t/a in enough so that it's no longer the limitation, making the frame the issue.
Here are my 15x10 with 5" bs with 295/50s That's without offset trailing arms.
Last edited by turtlevette; Dec 20, 2010 at 12:40 PM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
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That's not true. The frame is the limitation to getting any more than 5 inch backspacing.
Removing the parking brake tang gets you almost there. A couple of bangs with a sledgehammer will dent the t/a in enough so that it's no longer the limitation, making the frame the issue.
Here are my 15x10 with 5" bs with 295/50s That's without offset trailing arms.
Removing the parking brake tang gets you almost there. A couple of bangs with a sledgehammer will dent the t/a in enough so that it's no longer the limitation, making the frame the issue.
Here are my 15x10 with 5" bs with 295/50s That's without offset trailing arms.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
Vette Brakes & Products. I haven't put a larger tire on yet - still in paint. Running 225/60/15's right now, V spd rating. Also, read what jabbott posted.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NJ
First off, the original OP read the description wrong. The Trailing arms are offset 2", not you can run a 2" more offset. At 2" offset you may hit the frame or swaybar if you have one. These Trailing arms move the center of the arm in 2" so that a wider tire/wheel can be used. The rear pickup locations are unchanged as the wheel locations are also unchanged over stock. The wheel will be located in the exact same spot as originally.
The description in the Zip catalog #24, (page 12) says; How to get more rubber under your mid-year without having to use flares. 2" offset trailing arms allow you to run wider tires on stock rims, or upsize to aftermarket tire and wheel combinations.
Jabbott - OK, I get it; 2" offset allows you to run a wider tire - question; how much wider of a tire could be used over stock with these trailing arms? I'm using P23560R15 tires on the back now.
Like the look of turtlevette's car and his 15x10 rims with the 5" bs and 295/50's. I'd like to achieve that same look, but not sure about the sledge hammer route. I'd have to see pics as to how much alterations need to be done.
Roscobbe - do you have pictures you could post? you said you have 18 x 9" rims, 5" backspace, 285/40/18 tyres and stock trailing arms. If at all possible - I'd like to see that.
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I had 255s on my 71 with the stock arms. I think if you remove the e-brake cable on the stock arms you can get up to a 275 on the stock wheels. Much beyond that is where you get into the issues with the frame. You best bet would be to measure the current clearance from the tire to the frame and see what you have to work with. I personally picked up some offset arms due to a stronger construction and the slightly more clearance I will have for wider tires. Unfortunately, I am still a year away from putting the frame back together and seeing what clearance they will provide.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
The description in the Zip catalog #24, (page 12) says; How to get more rubber under your mid-year without having to use flares. 2" offset trailing arms allow you to run wider tires on stock rims, or upsize to aftermarket tire and wheel combinations.
Jabbott - OK, I get it; 2" offset allows you to run a wider tire - question; how much wider of a tire could be used over stock with these trailing arms? I'm using P23560R15 tires on the back now.
Like the look of turtlevette's car and his 15x10 rims with the 5" bs and 295/50's. I'd like to achieve that same look, but not sure about the sledge hammer route. I'd have to see pics as to how much alterations need to be done.
Mike
Jabbott - OK, I get it; 2" offset allows you to run a wider tire - question; how much wider of a tire could be used over stock with these trailing arms? I'm using P23560R15 tires on the back now.
Like the look of turtlevette's car and his 15x10 rims with the 5" bs and 295/50's. I'd like to achieve that same look, but not sure about the sledge hammer route. I'd have to see pics as to how much alterations need to be done.
Mike
Sorry - no images other than whats on 'my Corvette photos' on here!
