Good Evening

So I am looking to replace my trailing arms with offset during a restomod build to fit a larger tire. The shop doing the build says i need to buy the trailing arms and then have them and my old trailing arm sent out to use in the new trailing arms. Couldn't I just buy fully assembled trailing arms (minus the rotor as I am upgrading to Wilwood). The total cost for this is around $2500. Looks like I could buy fully assembled for cheaper. Any help or guidance is appreciated.

 

Well, sounds like your not working on your own car.
so, I think you should discuss this with the people who are working on your car.
If you are working on it. Happy to help with experienced advice. But when your paying someone else to do the work, the last thing they want to hear is...." The guys on the forum said.......".

 

Was just wondering for some guidance or advice if anyone experienced something similar.

 

You can buy assembled and the price is less.......but from what I hear, not many places know how to setup the bearing clearances right to get the proper end play.........
I recently did one of mine (Yep..it is all torn apart due to life, work and the pursuit of happiness....) and you must know that doing these is about a skill level 9/10......
Our resident rearend expert....GTR1999...(Gary).....does these and I spoke to him on the phone a while back as to what the mystery is on them......no real mystery, but you have to be methodical and you can't just throw them together........they require special tools and a pretty specific procedure that most don't follow...which leads the bearing to be sloppy or too loose......
GM spec is like up to .007......but this is too loose......this bearing takes a LOT of abuse....and they need not be sloppy at all. Gary sets them up to .0015-.002....I got mine at .003 and am content with that.....
I would suggest you contact Gary as he is out in Connecticut I believe.....have him do them and be assured they are correct. He is a super cool dude...and explains things clearly.....he took an hour out of his life one morning to explain this **** to me...that says a lot.
He might pop in here if he reads this.....

Jebby

 

Are you switching to coil-overs? Might consider it while you are at it. My offset arms are from Van Steel, set up for coil-overs, with bearings already installed. Can't wait to ditch the rear leaf. I already installed the front coil-overs, it's nice being able to adjust ride height and firmness.

 

I believe this is what you are refering to for complete units.
1965-1982 Corvette Offset Trailing Arms | Corvette Central

https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=shop.showItem&subgr oup=32000&ID=2974

Most aftermarket C3 rear suspension companies also only sell the arms to reduce the cost by allowing you to move the hubs / bearings from existing trailing arms.

example
vansteel
https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=1801&ID=1837

Globalwest
Ridetech
1968-1979 C3 Corvette - Rear StrongArm System - Ridetech this is a complete coilover to use their arms.

Here is a complete rear install from Ridetech.



The important part to check is what is the bushing type in the control arms ? example from ridetech.

"RideTech C2/C3 Rear StrongArm SystemThe rear trailing arm utilize a Telfon Bearing and strut rods are outfitting with R-Joint rod ends to combine the best qualities of low friction movement, lateral stability,"

others use poly bushings , factory is rubber bushings etc.

But depending on how wide of tires you want determines what you need. My factory 78 I was able to use 275 45R18 tires all around with no modifications to factory suspension.



After an upgrade to Ridetech Coilovers, I now could put wider in the rear. This is showing the extra space now available.


Many options on what direction to go. But depends on how wide do you want ?

 

Thanks for the info.......We have added a bunch to the build and I don't want to cheap out on anything and I also want to make sure he is being 100% truthful as i know little about the suspension.

 

So my builder wants to buy the Van Steel offset and then send that out with my old trailing arms to and they will use to build because those new trailing arms need parts of my old ones. thats gonna cost aprrox $3500....seems like the Strong Arm with coilovers make more sense yes? Thanks again for your input. Appreciated!

 

And yes 275/285.

 

Thanks for your input....I am looking into Coilovers now!

 

275 45R/18 fits most C3 all around using 4.75" Backspace wheels with 18x9.5" Wheels.

 

Ridetech coilovers will also require using the old parts from the existing trailing arms, but the ride quaility from the coil overs is much better, many choices of spring rates, easly to also change spring rates,
also 3 options for adjustable shocks,
1. basic fixed
2. 1 way adjustable
3 3 way adjustable.

 

How do three way adjustable shocks work? Compression, rebound, what is the third?

 

Here is the info from their website. Does require additional mounting of hardware.
Triple Adjustable Coil-Overs - Ridetech