Offset Trailing Arms
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 509
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Offset Trailing Arms
I will be purchasing the offset trailing arms (Mid America) for my '72 to allow for wider wheels and tires. What are the possibilities with this new setup? I'm thinking 9.5" rear wheels with 295/40/17 tires. But how much offset?? Is this possible?? Thanks, and links to anyone running this setup would be appreciated!! :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
Can't say for sure, but I know the offsets allow 2" more wheel width. As the standard alloy rim is 8", I would think you'd be OK with 9.5". In terms of the 295's, I think they would be just fine on a 9.5" wheel. Of course, this is all just guessing. Maybe somebody who actually KNOWS will chime in.
TTT
TTT
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
I know what with keeping the wheel offset at stock centerline specs'....that you can put a 9/5 inch wheel with no sweat on a stock t-arm by moving the e-brake cable to behind the rotor where it belongs...
that allows another 3/4 inch wheel width toward the inside....
the offset arms should allow another inch toward the inside, I would imagine...
to make that 1.5 inches to be concervative....
had I known of the offset arms construction details and shape, I would have ordered them some 6+ years ago, and skipped mods on the stock t-arms....
I think you can get a 315 tire under there with no sweat using offsets...
GENE
that allows another 3/4 inch wheel width toward the inside....
the offset arms should allow another inch toward the inside, I would imagine...
to make that 1.5 inches to be concervative....
had I known of the offset arms construction details and shape, I would have ordered them some 6+ years ago, and skipped mods on the stock t-arms....
I think you can get a 315 tire under there with no sweat using offsets...
GENE
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (mrvette)
I saw a 72 yesterday stock arms he had 16x9.5 rims and 265x45x16 kumo tires and it was still under the fenders.looked to kool
[Modified by Wightnite, 3:53 PM 5/13/2002]
[Modified by Wightnite, 3:53 PM 5/13/2002]
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
The Offset trailing arms are great but keep in mind that if you use a rear swaybar your limited by the swaybar and not the arm. I have 5.5 inches of clearance to the swaybar. See pics below. Vette Brakes sells a rear spring kit that mounts to the crossmember that eliminates the need for a swaybar. Use that kit with the offset trailing arms and you’re in business! :cool:
Frank
[Modified by Stingraycrazy, 12:40 AM 5/14/2002]
Frank
[Modified by Stingraycrazy, 12:40 AM 5/14/2002]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 509
Likes: 0
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
Hey Stingcrazy....what are your plans for wheels/tires??? I may leave off the rear sway if it presents a problem...... BTW, your setup looks sharp, I'm working to make mine look that good. You could eat dinner on yours!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
72Shark, I just bought a set of chrome KMC "Madness" 16X8 rims and Falken 255/50/zr16 tires for my rolling chassis. I also have a set of ZL1 flares but I'm walking the fence on this one. If I use the flares I will step up the rears skins. You can see more pics on my web site. I should have the tires mounted next week and on the chassis. Pics to follow.
Frank :cheers:
Frank :cheers:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (Stingraycrazy)
Great shots of your chassis Frank. You ncan see from my sig that I borrowed a pic of my car that you took ;) .
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Offset Trailing Arms (72Shark)
Offset trailing arms still leave the track width the same. The mounting flange for the wheels are still in the stock location so with 5 inch offset wheels you run into problems with the spring. I had to shorten my spring. Also you start to run into problems with the tire rubbing the frame. 295 tires should give you no problems. I ran them last year with the 5 inch backspacing. With 305's I had to add a 1/2 inch wheel spacer to clear the frame. The frame rubs at around 9 or 10 oclock not at the 12 oclock position. I do not have a sway bar.
